Page 14 - Cannabis News Dec 2018
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Autism and the Endocannabinoid System – Part 2


          In the previous article, we discussed                                    Curaleaf: 15:1                     euphoric, and uplifted.
        the following:                                                             Grow Healthy: 18:1 and 14:1          •  Charlotte’s Web - Is a legendary
                                                                                   Knox: 40:1                         medicinal strain for numerous debilitat-
          • The basics about Autism Spectrum
                                                                                   Liberty Health Sciences: 26:1 and 20:1   ing disorders, particularly epilepsy, anxi-
        Disorder (ASD)
                                                                                   MÜV: N/A                           ety, and autism. This sativa strain is a
          • The epidemiology of ASD                                                Surterra: 12.5:1 and 5:1           strong CBD, with just an average of .3%
          • Screening and Diagnosis for ASD                                        The Green Solution: 16:1           THC which means that patients won’t get
          • The “traditional”, “new” and                                           Trulieve: 20:1 and 16:1            a “high” with Charlotte’s Web but it will
        “unconventional” causes and risk fac-                                      A pending U.S. clinical trial, that was   provide the patient with all the therapeu-
                                                                                 scheduled to start in October of 2018 and   tic benefits that they need. However take
        tors for autism spectrum disorder
                                                                                 finalized in September 2021 is studying   note when medicating with Charlotte’s
          • How the Endocannabinoid System
                                                                                 the efficacy and safety of cannabidivarin   Web; while for many cases it’s proven as
        (ECS) relates to ASD                                                     (CBDV) in 100 children with ASD. We   an effective cure-all, some find no relief;
          • Types of treatments for ASD         BY JOSEPH ROSADO, MD, MBA        are all looking forward to the publishing   it is best recommended to experiment
          • Medical cannabis friendly states for                                 of these results.                    with this at low to moderate doses and
                                                                                   Now, let’s discuss the medicinal   observe. When it does work, Charlotte’s
        Autism Spectrum Disorder
                                             were much improved or very much     cannabis strains for the management of   Web has done miracles for countless
          In this article we will be addressing,
                                             improved (on the CGIC scale) in 61% of   patients with autism!           cases, so it is definitely worth a try for
          • Management of Autistic Patients
                                             patients. The anxiety and communica-  •  Blue Dream - A sativa-dominant   cases of autism.
        with Medical Cannabis                tion problems were much or very much   hybrid and one that’s widely used among   • Hindu Kush - This is a pure indica
          • Clinical studies supporting the   improved in 39% and 47% respectively.   patients with autism, as well as PTSD.   hailing from the mountain ranges from
        management of patients with Autism   Disruptive behaviors, were improved by   Many users tout Blue Dream to be the   which it’s named. Many patients of
                                             29% from 4.74±1.82 as recorded at base-  cannabis form of aspirin, which means   autism find great relief from medicating
        with medical cannabis
                                             line on the HSQ-ASD to 3.36±1.56 fol-  that it should basically be in everyone’s   with Hindu Kush; i.e., its ability to
          • Medicinal cannabis strains for the
                                             lowing the treatment.               medicine cabinet. LOL This is an excel-  induce a sense of calmness and tranquil-
        management of patients with Autism     Parents reported less stress as reflected   lent strain for daytime medication and   ity is therapeutic for patients. Aside from
                                             in the APSI scores, changing by 33!   can effectively suppress pain, discomfort,   autism, Hindu Kush is also known to be
          The endocannabinoid system in the   Therefore, based on these promising   and all the symptoms of autism. Low   effective in treating pain, anxiety, depres-
        body is considered as the reason for   results, the researchers have launched a   doses of Blue Dream are recommended   sion, stress, and of course insomnia.
        many disorders and recent researchers’   large, double blind, placebo controlled   for the treatment of autism; to get the   Autistic patients can relax with the mel-
        state that it might help in the treatment   cross-over trial with 120 participants.   right low dose many parents turn to   low, deep, yet euphoria it delivers.
        of autism. The chronic neuroinflamma-  In another study done in Chile, South   administering their children with tinc-  Because it’s a pure indica, Hindu Kush is
        tion can be eased with the help of the   America (2) , the researchers expanded on   tures of this excellent therapeutic strain.   recommended for medication only at
        antioxidants which are present in the   preclinical studies’ suggestion of a dys-  • Green Crack - Has become a house-  night, helping autistic patients have a
        cannabis plant. Cannabis helps with   functional endocannabinoid system   hold name in the medical cannabis com-  restful and deep slumber while helping
        mood and behavior of the patients in   implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorder   munity because of its far-reaching thera-  them feel more refreshed the next day.
        terms of emotions and aggressive out-  (ASD). 20 children and one adult patient   peutic benefits especially in the treat-
        bursts.                              were selected. Mean age: 9 years, 10   ment of autism. Green Crack does won-
          Cannabinoids are believed to remove   months (range: 26 mo-22 yo), 15 males.   ders for the mind, and despite being an   (1) Aran A, Cassuto H, Lubotzky A.
        the damaged brain cells and to improve   66,7% of patients had significant   energetic strain can help relax the mus-  Cannabidiol Based Medical Cannabis in
        the efficiency of mitochondria. With the   improvement according to CGI-I and   cles in a way that few other strains can.   Children with Autism- a Retrospective
                                                                                                                      Feasibility Study (P3.318). April 10, 2018; 90
        help of CBD, children can be protected   APSI. Most cases improved at least one of   This strain is a well-loved medical choice   (15 Supplement) APRIL 24, 2018
        from the neurodegenerative diseases.   the core symptoms of ASD, including   because it does not lead to a mental crash
        Cannabinoids help the brain to achieve   social communication, language, or   once the effects fade away, so it’s gentle   (2) Kuester G, Vergara K, Ahumada A,
        breakthroughs in learning, which also   repetitive behaviors.            enough for those with autism, allowing   Gazmuri AM. Oral cannabis extracts as a
        helps in gaining consciousness and bet-  Additionally, sensory difficulties, food   them to gently ease in and out of the   promising treatment for the core symptoms of
                                                                                                                      autism spectrum disorder: Preliminary expe-
        ter understanding. For the sleep issues,   acceptance, feeding and sleep disorders,   euphoria. Patients will also appreciate   rience in Chilean patients. October 15, 2017.
        this can be addressed by bringing the   and/or seizures were improved in most   that Green Crack helps put them in a   Volume 381, Supplement, Pages 932–933.
        endocannabinoid system into balance,   cases. 71.5% of patients received bal-  more focused mood, while feeling happy,
        ensuring proper health.              anced CBD:THC (1:1) extracts; 19.0%
          In a retrospective study performed by   high-CBD (20:1); and 9.5% high-THC
        Dr. Aran  (1) , in Israel, assessed the safety,   (1:4) extracts. Oral cannabis extracts
        tolerability and efficacy of cannabidiol   were well tolerated. Two patients had
        (CBD) based medical cannabis, as an   more agitation and one had more irri-
        adjuvant therapy, for refractory behav-  tability, effects that were solved by chang-
        ioral problems in children with ASD.   ing the strain.
        Sixty children with ASD (mean age was    In this small series of ASD patients,
        11.8± 3.5, range 5.0–17.5; 77% low func-  oral cannabis extracts were dramatically
        tioning; 83% boys) were treated with oral   more effective than conventional medi-
        CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at   cines. However, large randomized con-
        a ratio of 20:1. The dose was up-titrated   trolled trials are needed to establish effi-
        to effect (maximal CBD dose −        cacy and safety of medicinal cannabis in
        10mg/kg/d).                          ASD.
          Tolerability and efficacy were assessed   Notice that the way the Chilean study
        using a modified Liverpool Adverse   addressed the three adverse reactions was
        Events Profile, the Caregiver Global   by changing the strains that the patients
        Impression of Change (CGIC) scale, the   were taking, therefore, it is paramount
        Home Situations Questionnaire–Autism   that the provider be aware of the different
        Spectrum Disorder (HSQ-ASD) and the   ratios and strains available at the local
        Autism Parenting Stress Index (APSI).   dispensaries.
        Results revealed that following the    In FL, this is what is available:
        cannabis treatment, behavioral outbreaks


        South Florida Hospital News                                                              southfloridahospitalnews.com                                                        December 2018                         35
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