Case Study: CBD oil 'should be considered a treatment option' for autistic patients

Cannabidiol in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders: new case study

Administration of plant-derived CBD oil is safe and effective in treating autism-related symptoms and should be considered a viable treatment option for patients with this disorder, study finds of cases published in the journal Cureus.

A team of Canadian researchers evaluated the long-term use of a CBD oil containing 20mg of CBD and less than one mg of THC in a "non-verbal" child with a autism spectrum disorder. Prior to starting CBD treatment, the patient exhibited behavioral symptoms with outbursts of anger and physical aggression (punching, kicking, biting, headbutting, and scratching).

This case study aims to demonstrate the use of cannabidiol (CBD) with low dose tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the management of symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to improve the overall quality of life of these individuals. and their families. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting cognitive development, behavior, social communication and motor skills.

Prior to starting CBD treatment, the patient exhibited behavioral symptoms with outbursts of anger and physical aggression (punching, kicking, biting, headbutting, and scratching). He required daily insulin injections, which were accompanied by acts of self-harm, including punches to the head and chest. The patient displayed inappropriate behaviors such as playing with feces and rocking on the floor to calm down (stimming). He was constantly frustrated by misunderstandings when interacting with others, as he was unable to verbally express his needs. He had difficulty falling asleep, taking one to four hours to fall asleep and sleeping a total of four to five hours a night with frequent awakenings. He needed diapers to pull every night due to his incontinence. The patient attended public school with support and struggled to do well in school. There were difficulties interacting with teachers and other students and following the rules.

After twice-daily treatment with CBD, the patient “experienced a reduction in negative behaviors, including violent outbursts, self-harming behaviors and sleep disturbances. There was an improvement in social interactions, concentration and emotional stability.”

The investigators concluded: “In the case study presented, the child patient showed behavioral and cognitive improvements with no reported side effects. … With the proliferation of clinical studies on the use of cannabidiol in the treatment of patients with mood disorders, anxiety, chronic pain and other behavioral problems, it should be considered as a treatment option in management of symptoms related to autism. »

The results are consistent with numerous other studies showing that the use of CBD-dominant cannabis or oral extracts is associated with improved symptoms in children with ASD. After initiating CBD, there was a significant reduction in overeating. His weight has not changed significantly, apart from the expected increase with maturation (current weight 52 kilograms). Self-injurious and violent behavior decreased with treatment, which made it easier to administer her daily insulin injections. The table below provides a comparison of patient behaviors and characteristics before and after starting CBD treatment.