Marijuana And Autism: Everything You Need To Know

Marijuana and autism, hand-in-hand together, can sometimes be a tricky and controversial subject to discuss. Our guide may help you determine if cannabis can aid adults and children with this neurological condition.

We look at the science behind autism and cannabis anddiscover if and how marijuana can assist with lessening the symptoms associated with this developmental disability. We also examine the main cannabinoids in weed, focusing primarily on CBD.

Find out the best strains for autism here and how they may help autistic people. But first, let’s dive right in and see what the scientific world has to say about marijuana and autism.

Marijuana and autism: What does science say?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. Its core symptoms include repetitive behavior, communicative deficits, and intellectual disabilities. The cause of this disorder is still unknown, but environmental factors may play a part.

Weed is still illegal under federal law, so most research and studies lack adequate funding to investigate cannabis and autism together properly. An increasing number of people are seeking guidance from doctors to determine if medicinal marijuana can help autism.

Scientists are still in the infant stages of determining if weed is effective and safe to help treat this neurological disorder. People looking at marijuana and autism options usually pursue this path, solely relying on word of mouth from friends, family, and online internet forums.

The two main cannabinoids in weed are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Together, these compounds can bind with CB1 and CB2 receptors in your brain and influence your body’s movements. Science has yet to confirm the effects of THC and CBD on autism.

Many articles published on weed and autism only research short-term usage, and we’re unsure of the safety of prolonged consumption. Furthermore, some studies had trouble concluding with clear results due to difficulty distinguishing the ASD symptoms from the side effects. 

Autism and cannabis: How does weed help?

With more and more folks turning to medicinal cannabis, you might ask, ‘can weed help ASD?’. Some promising marijuana and autism studies have shown reductions in symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, depression, and irritability. 

The common signs of autism include impaired social skills and speech and repetitive or restrictive interests and behaviors. Other characteristics of ASD that may occur are:

• Epilepsy or seizures
• Hyperactive or inattentive behavior
• Anxiety and stress
• Unusual sleeping and eating habits
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Unpredictable emotional reactions and moods

Again, autism and cannabis need more scientific research to confirm if they can treat the above ASD characteristics. We do know the awesome health benefits of marijuana, including:

• Reducing stress and anxiety
• Boosting moods
• Promoting sleep and appetite
• Relaxation
• Enhanced focus and mental clarity

THC is a psychoactive compound with beneficial physical and mental effects when used in moderation. However, there’s no THC and autism research available to conclude if it plays an important factor in helping alleviate ASD symptoms.

Most medicinal studies focus on CBD because it contains minimal psychoactive properties and various health benefits. It may help treat epilepsy, physical pain, anxiety, and gastrointestinal conditions.

Is CBD good for autism?

Several small research articles published on autism and weed suggest CBD may help decrease behavioral patterns in patients. While we’re aware of the wonderful CBD health benefits, we still need more broad-scope scientific studies to answer ‘is CBD good for autism?’. 

We’re currently in the fog without definitive scientific evidence, making folks turn to CBD as an alternative treatment for ASD symptoms. There’s positive feedback reported among family members, but we have to consider the age of the autistic person.

CBD for an autistic child

Parents raising an autistic child have little to no options to help aid symptoms, outbursts, or behavioral patterns in the US. The only FDA-approved drug for children with ASD is risperidone, so more parents are turning towards natural remedies, with CBD being a top contender. 

We don’t know if using CBD for autistic children is safe in the long run. Every child’s experience is unique and may produce different results. However, some families report CBD oil helps reduce aggressive outbursts, seizures, and anxiety.  

Of course, we still need more information on dosages and the strength of the CBD. So, does CBD help autistic children? We’re unsure, and more scientific studies are currently underway to find more answers. We’ll have to wait patiently for the results.

CBD and autism in adults

The only FDA-approved cannabis product for three conditions accompanied by autism is Epidiolex. This liquid weed contains purified CBD. It may reduce severe epileptic fits linked with Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes and help folks with tuberculosis sclerosis complex.

While autistic adults may be able to consume higher levels of CBD than kids, we don’t know what dose is safe in the long run. We still need proper scientific evidence regarding CBD and autism in adults. 

Weed and autism: the best strains of marijuana for autism

Medicinal marijuana and autism need much more research, but some strains may help symptoms of autism by reducing anxiety and promoting sleep. How do you know what the best weed cultivars are for autism?

Many smaller studies focused on CBD, so we look at cannabis variants with minimal THC content and higher CBD levels. 

Here are our top five weed cultivar picks for marijuana and autism.

CBD Harlequin 1:9 feminized 

This gentle sativa is a love child of Harlequin and CBD OG Kush. These tropical-fragranced flowers contain minimal THC levels and 9% CBD content.

CBD and autism have yet to be thoroughly researched by the scientific community, but this uplifting cultivar may be ideal for beginners. The mild, uplifting effects may help calm anxiety and erratic behavior outbursts.

CBD Harlequin 1:9 feminized may also increase appetites and help users feel relaxed and tranquil. It can be a tricky cultivar to grow, but it’s worth the effort because of its potential medicinal properties.

CBD Blueberry feminized

CBD Blueberry feminized is an indica-dominant variant, born from its cup-winning parent, CBD OG Kush, and a CBD Afghani landrace strain. This berry-good medicinal favorite smells of sweet forest fruits in early fall.

There’s 1% THC and a decent 16% CBD content in CBD Blueberry feminized. The generous sticky CBD-resin covering the buds has great potential to produce marijuana oils, beverages, and edibles.

CBD Blueberry feminized may help relieve symptoms associated with ASD, including anxiety and mood swings, and help decrease the severity of seizures. This cultivar is popular among people researching marijuana and autism.

CBD Tangie feminized

CBD Tangie feminized is easy to cultivate indoors and out and develops large flowers emitting refreshing sweet citrus fragrances. It has a minuscule 1% THC content, but its CBD levels go up to 15%.

This sativa cultivar is a cross between Tangie and an unknown high-CBD strain. Its uplifting properties may help reduce feelings of depression in autistic folks. It may also decrease anxiety and stress, stabling moods, and help users become more focused.

CBD Tangie feminized may be a great choice for autistic people prone to unpredictable behavior patterns. If you’re considering using this cultivar for ASD, remember that marijuana and autism studies are still ongoing, and the benefits have yet to be proved by science. 

CBD White Widow 10:1 feminized

This renowned cup-winning hybrid is now available as a CBD-enriched variant. CBD White Widow 10:1 feminized is a cultivator’s dream, producing generous indoor and outside yields of sweet herbal and citrus-scented flowers.

Cannabis enthusiasts would recommend this popular variant as an ideal ‘weed and autism’ strain because of its soothing properties. Its 1% THC content is barely noticeable in small doses, and the 10% CBD levels are gentle enough for beginners.

CBD White Widow 10:1 feminized weed has incredible relaxing and calming effects. This marijuana may also stabilize upset stomachs, and the sedating properties may help users with unusual sleeping patterns drift into a peaceful slumber. 

CBD Ratio 1:30 feminized 

This high-CBD cultivar contains 1% THC and a substantial 30% CBD content. The cannabis plants are easy to grow indoors and out, and their flowers emit strong pine and woody scents.

When it comes to autism and marijuana, CBD Ratio 1:30 feminized is a popular choice because of its high resin production. Cultivators can harvest the CBD-rich sticky substance and create oils, edibles, and other cannabinoid products.

CBD Ratio 1:30 feminized cannabis may help reduce seizures associated with ASD. It may also decrease anxiety and depression in autistic people.

Cannabis and autism: More research needed

Undoubtedly, marijuana and autism require more scientific research, especially with the increasing roll-out of medicinal weed in the US. Many smaller studies try to determine if weed can help with these neurological conditions, and some show promising results with CBD.

Most marijuana and autism articles focus on CBD and its contribution and effects on various ASD characteristics. The same doesn’t apply to autism and THC, which have little to no research. We also need more evidence and studies on CBD for autistic kids.

Homegrown Cannabis Co. can keep you updated on all the news and benefits of CBD. Check out our blog and look at interesting topics like cannabis oil for seizures and how to make CBD edibles.

The topic of marijuana and autism remains controversial, and people still debate and discuss the potential benefits and negatives today. Unless the scientific community informs us otherwise, all we have to go on is hearsay, some small studies, and other people’s experiences.