Cannabis and autism, explained
Over the past decade, autistic people and their families have increasingly experimented with medical marijuana and products derived from it. Many hope these compounds will alleviate a range of autism-related traits and problems. But scientists are still in the early stages of rigorous research into marijuana’s safety and effectiveness, which means that people who pursue it as treatment must rely mostly on anecdotal information from friends and message boards for guidance.
Here we explain what researchers know about the safety and effectiveness of cannabis for autism and related conditions.
Stories you may be interested in
Cannabis improves symptoms of Crohn’s disease despite having no effect on gut inflammation
In the first study of its kind, cannabis oil has been shown to significantly improve the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and the quality of life of sufferers but, contrary to previous medical thinking, has no effect on gut inflammation. In a randomised, placebo-controlled study, researchers from Israel have shown that cannabis can produce clinical remission…
Read More How Medical Marijuana Affects Men vs. Women
As expected, men and women differ in a multitude of ways, from genetic makeup and hormonal behavior to how we process information and emotionally respond. The differences in our makeup are the exact reason why any medical treatment, including medical marijuana, will have a diverse impact on men vs. women. Let’s take a closer look…
Read More World Cancer Day – Shine a Light on the World
In 2018, it was estimated that 1,735,350 new cancer cases would be diagnosed in the United States and 609,640 individuals would pass from the disease [Cancer.gov]. We cannot sit by and ignore this life altering disease, which is why World Cancer Day, recognized on Feb. 4, is such an important awareness campaign to the Arfinn…
Read More Substance in cannabis ‘could boost pancreatic cancer treatments’
A substance found in cannabis plants might boost treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer, research in mice has suggested. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is not psychoactive, meaning it does not produce feelings of being high in those who take it. It is extracted from hemp plants and is legal in the UK, although a CBD product…
Read More DeSantis OKs telehealth for Florida medical marijuana patients
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill allowing the state’s 828,000 medical marijuana patients to use telehealth to visit their doctors. On Monday, DeSantis signed HB-387, titled “Medical Use of Marijuana,” which allows patients renewing their medical marijuana recommendation to meet with their doctors online. Currently, patients must visit their doctor in person…
Read More After marijuana edibles helped dying Holocaust survivor battle Alzheimer’s, his family’s foundation pushes for more research
A Massachusetts family’s experience giving marijuana edibles to their dying patriarch is set to kick off a desperately needed investigation into how cannabis might treat some of the more troubling symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that affects 5.7 million Americans. Read the full story here.
Read More