What Parents Should Know About CBD Oil and Autism

As more parents search for answers, understanding what parents should know about CBD oil and autism becomes essential. With CBD oil gaining traction as a therapy option for various health concerns, including autism, the question remains: Is CBD oil a safe and compassionate treatment for autism when given to children?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental impairment that affects one in every 44 children in the United States, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ASD is characterized by changes in the brain’s structure and function. Children with ADS may have difficulties communicating, learning, and behaving in the same ways as children who do not have ADS. These children may require additional support systems to meet their educational, physical, and emotional requirements.

Despite the enormous progress achieved in studying autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specialists are still unsure of the precise causes of its onset. Autism has no known cure, however, there are numerous treatments (including occupational and speech therapies) that can lessen how severe the condition’s symptoms are. Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, a natural chemical produced from cannabis, is one therapy option that has stirred up controversy. The following information is important for parents to understand regarding the use of CBD oil therapy for children who have ASD.

What Does CBD Oil Stand For?

Hemp is a plant that produces CBD oil; it is linked to cannabis but is considered a separate species. Hemp and cannabis are both members of the same plant species, but only cannabis contains a chemical known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is known for its ability to alter one’s state of mind. Because hemp does not contain THC, CBD oil is safe because it cannot cause one to become intoxicated or “high.”

CBD is now widely available in health food stores and medical marijuana dispensaries across the country, typically in the form of a liquid, cream, or gel capsule. CBD is used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD, gastrointestinal illness, insomnia, cancer, and many more. Scientists are working quickly to catch up with the public’s growing fascination with CBD because of its purported medical benefits, which rigorous scientific studies have not yet verified.

In preliminary research, it has been demonstrated that CBD oil can treat a wide range of physical and mental health concerns, including cancer, chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD, gastrointestinal sickness, and insomnia, to name just a few. And in one Israeli study of 60 children published in Neurology, a group of researchers found that CBD oil reduced autism-induced behavioral, communication, and anxiety problems; however, there were some side effects, such as sleep disturbances, irritability, and appetite issues. A group conducted the study at the University of Haifa in Israel. Despite this, the study’s results were significant enough to warrant further investigation into the efficacy and safety of using CBD oil as a therapy tool for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

How Safe and Efficient Is CBD Oil for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

There are still many unanswered uncertainties regarding the efficacy and safety of CBD, despite the numerous impressive claims that have been made regarding the potential benefits of CBD oil. However, parents all around the country have reacted favorably to these findings. They have begun administering CBD oil to their children as a result. Many people believe that cannabidiol (CBD) oil can help manage emotions, improve sleep quality, and control autism symptoms.

As with any new medicinal breakthrough, CBD oil isn’t without downsides. There is a lack of information about utilizing CBD as a treatment for behavioral disorders, particularly in young children, according to Mandi Silverman of the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute. Silverman says this is especially true for young children. Because of this, Silverman and many other health specialists recommend that parents study the facts before stocking up on CBD oil for their children.

When we become parents, we saddle ourselves with the strenuous job of caring for everything. When your child is diagnosed with a developmental problem such as autism, the urge to correct the situation is amplified to an even greater degree. Time is required for treatment of autism. Some parents see CBD oil as a solution that can meet certain of their children’s needs in a way that nothing else can.

Silverman claims that CBD oil is “not an intervention with an evidence base,” despite the fact that its use as a treatment for autism may be extremely appealing. Recent research published in Frontiers in Pharmacology suggests that CBD oil can help alleviate some symptoms associated with an autism spectrum disorder in young children. However, the benefit was only temporary, and the symptoms returned once the young children reached puberty. Again, experts stressed that further studies need to be done.

Parents Should To Be Aware Of The Following Disadvantages:

No research yet has demonstrated that CBD oil is a cure-all, despite some promising early results showing the usefulness of CBD. Additionally, the FDA has not given its blessing to this treatment approach for autism. Additional concerns with the use of CBD oil as a treatment for autism include the following:

• As CBD oil for the treatment of autism has not been the subject of any randomized controlled trials, medical professionals are unsure whether or not it is safe. It is also not entirely understood how the body takes up CBD once it has been consumed.
• Your CBD oil’s potency cannot be determined with any degree of accuracy. According to Silverman, the concentration of components varies from batch to batch.
• The Child Mind Institute reports that CBD oil products are not regulated by state laws requiring laboratory testing. As a result, these products may include THC or other unidentified substances.
• Research has found that cannabidiol oil, or CBD, can interact negatively with other drugs.
• Side effects, like sleepiness and dry mouth, may be possible.

It’s possible that some parents will also be curious about the legal implications of CBD oil. Some states do not permit the sale of CBD oil if it is derived from marijuana but does allow it if it is derived from hemp. CBD is illegal in some states, while others only allow it to be used for specific purposes. Do some research on the laws that govern your home state for further information.

So, what should we take away from this? Research both the benefits and the potential risks of using CBD oil as a treatment for your child’s autism before moving forward with the decision. Talk to the physician who treats your child or someone else who is knowledgeable about the medical applications of CBD oil. In addition, when selecting items, you should determine how much THC they contain. Always do your research before making any decisions on your child’s health.

Meaningful articles you might like: Autism Checklist for Infants and Preschoolers (Birth to Age 5), Autism Symptoms in Infants and Toddlers, How Can I Test My Kid For Autism?