By Carol Hoban, MPH, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Public Health Program, School of Health Sciences, American Public University
Autism refers to a wide range of conditions also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ASD is a developmental disability that may result in social, behavioral and communication challenges.
People with ASD may have difficulty with learning, communicating, or interacting with others and may need assistance in their daily lives. Signs and symptoms of ASD generally begin during childhood and continue throughout patients’ lives.
The CDC lists some of the symptoms associated with ASD as hyperactivity, acting impulsively, aggression, temper tantrums, short attention span, causing self-injury, difficulty sleeping, unusual eating habits, unusual emotional reactions, or unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look or feel.
Recent studies have examined the use of cannabidiol, also known as CBD, as a treatment for the symptoms associated with ASD. CBD is a chemical from the cannabis plant, but does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the component in marijuana that makes people “high.”
Studies Have Demonstrated that CBD Reduces the Number of Epileptic Seizures
Studies of persons suffering from epilepsy have demonstrated that CBD reduces the number of seizures. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Epidiolex, a CBD oral medication for the treatment of seizures in persons suffering from rare or severe forms of epilepsy.
Some of the symptoms of ASD such as anxiety, aggression and sleep disorders may be treated with CBD to alleviate some of those symptoms. One study published in Nature in January 2019, found that CBD improved the behavioral symptoms associated with ASD, with a significant reduction in anxiety scores (symptoms disappeared, no change, or improved) during tests such as simulated public speaking, demonstrating a reduction in overall discomfort and anxiety in the group treated.
However, there is still limited research on the use of CBD to treat ASD.
A statement released by The Autism Science Foundation said, “To date, there is limited research, and no evidence, on the potential short-term, long-term or neurodevelopmental risks and benefits of medical marijuana or its related compounds in ASD.”
Talk to Your Doctor before Deciding on Any New Drug Treatment
Before you decide to embark on any new drug treatment for yourself or your child, it is highly recommended that you talk to your doctor. Ask your healthcare provider about potential benefits and risks based on your own or your child’s medical history with a full understanding of both evidence-based and non-evidence-based treatments for ASD.
Parents and autistic adults should carefully consider the costs, risks, and benefits of a drug that has not been proven effective or safe.
About the Author
Dr. Hoban earned her Ph.D. in cellular molecular biology and physiology from Georgia State University in 2008. She earned her MPH degree in 1997 from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Dr. Hoban has worked in maternal and child health and vaccine-preventable diseases. She was the project director for the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) in Georgia for over six years and was also the project director for the Georgia Immunization Study for over seven years. Dr. Hoban has numerous published articles based on her work in both vaccine-preventable diseases and maternal and child health. She is also currently a peer reviewer for the Maternal and Child Health Journal.
