Autism & Marijuana

[Johnyb]

Hi All,

 

This is my first post on the forum. As some of you may know, recently there has been media interest in the medical use of marijuana for autistic childrens behaviour. I am interested in this information as I have a 7 yr old son with severe autism. His behaviour is off the charts...intense anxiety, screaming, all day repetition, never calms, doesn't sleep well always on the move. He cannot be taken out and our family life is suffering.

 

We have tried every medication known to man; Respiridone, SSRI's, anti eplieptic meds, you name it, no matter the dose or combination no changes last longer than a week, and many have bad side effects. We have also tried many alternative and natural medicines with no effect. It is now time to try medical marijuana, and as one does when one makes such a decision, one turns to the internet. I have have read many sites, stories and info, and stumbled on this site.

 

I have some questions;If I order online seeds do they generally get here from overseas? I think I am after an Indica strain to maximise CBD content, and I now have read up on how to make hash and decided to administer the medicine this way, I am basically just an everday parent who wants to help his son.

 

Has anybody tried or know of any children helped (or otherwise) using Mj for autism?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

John

[merl1n]

Hi There Johnyb,

Having worked in the field for near on 10 years, I can tell you that no medico will confirm or deny any information regarding pot and autism ADHD bipolar disorder........the list goes on. I have seen improvements in stroke victims with pot but other stroke victims have had other experiences. I know if several parents that feed their severly autistic children a cocktail of meds to better manage their childs behavior and it's only manage not control the behavior.

I understand your deliema very clearly. And respect the fact that you are asking questions. Try and obtain as much information as you can find. Get informed. Autism is a complex disability, the level at which it affects each person is different and what works for one may have the reverse effect on another. Pot is well known as a calmitive and if it works you're on to a winner, for you, but there isn't any gaurantee, but then there isn't one with the drug companies either.

 

The choice is yours, if it comes from nature its got to be better.

 

Merl1n

[daemon]

Hi Johnyb.

 

After trying everything else I believe this is the next best step. It's a big decision - based on cannabis' current, and false, reputation - and I applaud you for making it. I'm very interested in the outcome so please keep us informed.

 

To answer your question: yes, if you order seeds from over seas they are likely to arrive. Check out the thread on ordering seeds: https://cannabis.community.forums.ozstoners.com/index.php/topic/27453-tutorial-how-to-order-seeds-safely/.

 

People seem to be having great success with www.demonseeds.com so try there.

 

You do realise that it'll be about 5 months before you can start medicating your son? Maybe it'd be an idea to try get some from a friend and make some brownies first.

[Radic]

greetnz

welcome to 0z stonerz

i am a parent too bro, 7 times

i hear you

im so sorry to hear your son suffering

autusim sux

 

Cannabis as a First-line Treatment

For Childhood Mental Disorders

Alex P. was prescribed pharmaceutical stimulants, antidepressants,

analgesics, and antipsychotics that exacerbated his problems.

Cannabis has provided a benign, effective alternative.

By Tod Mikuriya, MD

In 1996, California legalized cannabis

as a treatment for “any... condition for

which it brings relief.†Although the law

does not constrain physicians from approving

the use of cannabis by children

and adolescents, the state medical board

has investigated physicians for doing so,

exerting a profoundly inhibiting effect.

Even doctors associated with the Society

of Cannabis Clinicians have been

reluctant to approve cannabis use by

patients under 16 years of age, and have

done so only in cases in which prescribable

pharmaceuticals had been tried unsuccessfully.

The case of Alex P. suggests

that the practice of employing pharmaceutical

drugs as first-line treatment exposes

children gratuitously to harmful

side effects.

Alex P., accompanied by his mother,

first visited my office in February 2005

at age 15 years, 6 months. At that time

he had been prescribed and was taking

Fioricet with codeine (30 mg, 3x/day);

Klonopin (1 mg, 2x/day); Ativan (1 mg,

2x/day); and Dilaudid “as needed†to

treat migraine headaches (346.1), insomnia

(307.42), and outbursts of aggression

to which various diagnoses —including

bipolar with schizophrenic tendencieshad

been attached by doctors in the Kaiser

Healthcare system.

Alex had previously been prescribed

Ritalin, Prozac, Paxil, Maxalt, Immitrex,

Depacote, Phenergan, Inderal,

Thorazine, Amitriptaline, Buspar,

Vicodin, Seroquel, Risperdal, Zyprexa,

Clozaril, Norco, and Oxycodone.

A history taken from Alex and a separate

interview with his mother, Barbara

P., were in full accordance. The mother

described Alex as a healthy baby who

was “never a good sleeper.†She had “a

rocky relationship†with Alex’s father,

who had three children from a previous

marriage. Alex, their second son, “always

saw himself as the peacemaker

when there was arguing... I think that’s

why, when it was time for him to go to

school, he never wanted to go. He just

didn’t like to leave the house.â€

Although Alex showed facility communicating

verbally, his reading and

writing skills disappointed his teachers

and prior to going to middle school he

was evaluated for an Individual Educational

Plan.

According to his mother, “They didn’t

say he was dyslexic, they said he ‘had

trouble processing things.’ He wasn’t

acting wild in school. He was always

well behaved. But they said he had ADD

because he couldn’t concentrate and process

things.†At age 11, Alex was prescribed

Ritalin for attention deficit disorder.

 

In middle school Alex befriended

some 13- and 14-year-olds, with whom

he was caught stealing a car (and with

whom he had shared his stimulant medication,

and who introduced him to marijuana).

Thus began a four-year sojourn

through institutions of the Central Valley

juvenile justice system and Kaiseraffiliated

hospitals and clinics.

Barbara P. expresses remorse

that she obeyed court

orders to force Alex to take his

prescribed medications.

In this period, according to Barbara

P., “They put him on all these medications

and not only couldn’t he sleep at

night, but he started having rampages,

hitting —mainly me. He fought with his

brother and his dad, too. He beat up the

truck. He couldn’t remember afterwards

what he actually did. He seemed like a

completely different person. I don’t think

that’s because of who he is. I think it was

because of the medications he was taking.â€

Barbara P. expresses remorse that she

obeyed court orders to force Alex to take

his prescribed medications.

At age 13 Alex made a serious attempt

at suicide by hanging himself from a tree

outside his house. He was rescued by his

brother returning home unexpectedly. He

reports making other attempts to overdose

on pills.

Alex had known since age 11, when

he first smoked cannabis with his older

friends, that it had a calming effect.

Many of his encounters with the juvenile

justice system were for marijuana

possession. His mother says, “He was

aware that it helped him not feel stressed

out and not have headaches. It helped

him concentrate. It helped him sleep. All

the things he needed. But I wasn’t for

smoking it.†She reports feeling social

pressure from her Central Valley community

and pressure from her husband

to oppose Alex’s attempts to obtain and

use marijuana.

“Alex went through three rehabs —

two inpatient and one outpatient, all

court-ordered, all for marijuana. He

could not do inpatient and I told them

that. It’s not that Alex wanted to be out

there doing drugs, he wanted to be home!

He had a thing where he didn’t want to

be put in an institution where he didn’t

know anybody. That would drive him

more crazy. He ended up running from

one rehab house and getting kicked out

of another.â€

 

Her request that a Kaiser

physician prescribe Marinol

for Alex was rejected.

Perceiving that Alex’s mental state

was worsening, and in response to his

repeated requests to be allowed to smoke

marijuana, Barbara did research on the

internet that alerted her to similarities

between cannabis and Marinol

(dronabinol), a legally prescribable drug.

Her request that a Kaiser physician prescribe

Marinol for Alex was rejected.

Through the internet she identified the

author as a specialist in cannabinoid

therapeutics and arranged an appointment

for Alex.

A prescription was written in February

2005 for Marinol (10 mg), along with

a recommendation to use cannabis by

means of a vaporizer. Alex has consistently

maintained he prefers smoking

cannabis to ingestion by other means,

due to rapidity of onset and ability to titrate

dosage. (“It works great and you

can use just as much as you need,†he

says.)

When a drug test ordered by the Probation

department turned up positive for

cannabinoids, Alex had a hearing at

which a Superior Court judge declared

that because Marinol use could mask

marijuana use, he would not allow it. He

explicitly refused to recognize the validity

of a specialist in the field of cannabis

therapeutics and ordered Alex to

take only drugs prescribed by Kaiser.

Barbara P. says: “I guess judges have

authority over anything. He thought Alex

had a drug problem with marijuana because

he had smoked it before.†At a

subsequent hearing another judge rescinded

the order. When Alex’s Probation

ended in May, 2005, he began medicating

exclusively with smoked cannabis.

Alex and Barbara P. were seen by the

author at a follow-up visit in February

2006. Alex reported dramatically improved

mood and functionality with only

one migraine attack in the past year, not

severe enough to require a trip to the

hospital for a Dilaudid injection. He is

in an independent study program at a

small public school and getting straight

As and Bs. “They love me at school,â€

Alex asserts. His teacher is aware that

he medicates with cannabis with a physician’s approval. He smokes approximately

one ounce per week and

would use 50% more if it were cheaper

to obtain. He does not vaporize because

a vaporizer is “too expensive†(although

he has taken up the guitar and purchased

several models). He summarizes his status

thus: “I use(d) to use a lot of medication

like Klonopin and other pain medication

but I haven’t had to since the use

of cannabis.â€

His mother reports: “We knew after

about three months on Marinol that he

was going to be okay. He started doing a

lot better. He sleeps well, he’s not on any

of the other medications, I haven’t had

to take him to the emergency room for

migraine since he first went on Marinol.

He’s been totally fine. He walks the dog,

cleans up his room, does chores for the

family. And I know that he’s going to be

okay. Before, I never knew what was

going to happen. I couldn’t picture him

getting a job.†Alex’s father has relented

in his disapproval of Alex’s cannabis use,

having seen its effects on the household.

The case of Alex P. is one of iatrogenic

illness in which drug-oriented

school counselors and administrators

played a harmful role. In a previous era,

psychologists would have put more emphasis

on examining the family constellation.

An adequate work-up would have

identified Alex’s insomnia as the likely

cause of his poor scholastic performance.

Failing an adequate work-up, the quasidiagnosis

“inability to process†led to a

prescription of methylphenidate, a

stimulant, for an 11-year-old with persistent

insomnia. The resulting disinhibition

led in turn to trouble with law enforcement,

a cycle of extreme anxiety

and distress, and the prescription of more

drugs, irrationally chosen to counteract

drug-induced symptoms.

As a result of the federal prohibition,

there exist no official guidelines governing

when and how cannabis should be

used by patients suffering from a given

condition. The Institute of Medicine Report

of 2000 acknowledges the feasibility

of cannabis being used to treat certain

conditions when all pharmaceutical

options have failed. The case of Alex P.

suggests that employing pharmaceutical

stimulants, antidepressants and antipsychotics

exposes children gratuitously

to harmful side effects in violation of

Hippocratic principles.

The first-line treatment for any condition,

efficacy being equal, would be the

drug or procedure least likely to cause

harm. Given the benign side-effect profile

of cannabis, it should be the firstline

of treatment in a wide range of childhood

mental disorders, including persistent

insomnia.

Physicians and parents both face

stigma and take risks in authorizing cannabis

use by children, but the risks are

legal and social rather than medical. The

case of Alex P. exemplifies this reality.

 

this is crucial info for you

The Endocannabinoid-CB Receptor System: Importance for development and in pediatric disease

Ester Fride

Departments of Behavioral Sciences and Molecular Biology, College of Judea and Samaria, Ariel 44837, ISRAEL.

Correspondence to:

Professor Ester Fride, Ph.D.

Dept. of Behavioral Sciences (Chair)

and Dept. of Molecular Biology

College of Judea and Samaria

Ariel 44837, ISRAEL

PHONE: +972-3-9066295, FAX: +972-3-9066690

EMAIL: fride@research.yosh.ac.il

Submitted: December 17, 2003

Accepted: January 29, 2004

Key words:

cannabinoids; endocannabinoids; CB1 receptors; Endocannabinoi-CB Receptor (ECBR) system; development; ontogeny; failure-to-thrive; implantation; teratology

 

Cannabinoids as therapy in childhood

 

The gradual postnatal increase of anandamide and its CB1 receptors [10–12, 15], is accompanied by a gradual maturing response to the psychoactive potential of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) or anandamide in postnatal mice between birth and weaning [67] .

This observation has important implications for cannabinoid therapy in children, since psychoactive

side effects may be expected to be minor when treated with cannabinoids at a young age. Indeed, very high doses of Δ8-THC (approximately 0.64 mg/kg/treatment) were given to children between the ages of 3 and 13 years who were undergoing chemotherapy for the treatment of various hematologic cancers, over long periods of time (up to 114 treatments, based on 4 treatments/24 hr during the days of chemotherapy). The anti-emetic effects were impressive, whereas the side effects were minimal [68]. In a preliminary report [69, 70] eight children (ages 3–14 years) with a variety of severe neurological diseases or damage, were treated with Δ9-THC (0.04–0.12 mg/kg/day). Significant improvements in behavioral parameters including reduced spasticity, improved dystonia increased

interest in the surroundings and anti-epileptic activity were reported without notable adverse effects. The same study reported the case of an 11 year-old girl who suffered a spinal contusion with total paraplegia and a frontal skull fracture following a traffic accident, who was deemed to suffer from posttraumatic disorder

with lack of appetite and mood disturbance. The daily THC administration improved appetite as well as mood. Interestingly, this clinical observations is in agreement with two recent animals studies which suggest

that the endocannabinoid CB1 receptor system is involved in posttraumatic forgetting [71, 72].

It is not clear, why, in the first study, the anti-emetic effects were achieved (presumably via the area postrema)

and in the second, positive neurological benefit was derived in the absence of adverse psychological effects. Is it possible that a differential CB1 receptor distribution appears during development, or that certain

brain pathways mature at different rates? Clearly, further animal experiments and clinical investigations of cannabinoid treatment in the developing organism, are warranted.

Cystic Fibrosis is the most frequently occurring recessively hereditary disease affecting 1 in 2500 newborns [73]. In a previous publication [74], we have suggested that a deficient ECBR system may underlie

at least some of the symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis, such as malnutrition, gastrointestinal problems, inflammatory

exacerbations, and fatty acid imbalance. Therefore, treatment with cannabinoids or drugs which target the ECBR system, such as inhibitors of endocannabinoid reuptake and/or degradation, or CB1 or CB2 receptor agonist, may benefit children (and young adults) afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis.

Conclusions

The endocannabinoids and their receptors (CB1, CB2 and the putative CB3 receptor) [37, 75], fulfill a multitude of physiological functions, including immunological,

neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular. However, from the knowledge accumulated until now, it appears that only in the developing mechanism, at two specific stages, proper functioning of the endocannabinoid-CB receptor system is acutely critical

for survival: implantation of the embryo and the initiation of suckling in the newborn.

Interestingly, opposite requirements seem to be involved

in each of these processes: a reduction of anandamide

is necessary for implantation to take place [8], while the initiation of suckling requires the activation of CB1 receptors, presumably by the presence of high levels of 2AG [33, 36, 37].

Psychoactive side effects of cannabinoid treatment

seem to be absent or much reduced in children possibly due to low concentrations of CB1 receptors. Further understanding of the underlying mechanisms will hopefully lead to the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutic strategies for the treatment of disorders

including infant “failure-to-thrive†and Cystic Fibrosis.

REFERENCES

1 Fride E. Endocannabinoids in the central nervous system--an overview.

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002; 66(2–3):221–33.

2 Maccarrone M, Falciglia K, Di Rienzo M, Finazzi-Agro A. Endo-cannabinoids, hormone-cytokine networks and human fertility. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002; 66(2–3):309–17.

3 Parolaro D, Massi P, Rubino T, Monti E. Endocannabinoids in the immune

system and cancer. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002; 66(2–3):319–32.

4 Pinto L, Capasso R, Di Carlo G, Izzo AA. Endocannabinoids and the gut. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002; 66(2–3):333–41.

5 Pertwee RG. Pharmacology of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. Pharmacol Ther 1997; 74(2):129–80.

6 Lutz B. Molecular biology of cannabinoid receptors. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002; 66(2–3):123–42.

7 Ibrahim MM, Deng H, Zvonok A, Cockayne DA, Kwan J, Mata HP, et al. Activation of CB2 cannabinoid receptors by AM1241 inhibits experimental

neuropathic pain: pain inhibition by receptors not present

in the CNS. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100(18):10529–33.

 

irey guidance

[Johnyb]

Hi Veg,

 

thanks for the link to Demonseeds, I chanced it and put in an order for a few strains so I'll let you know what pans out. I have actually grown Mj years ago in my 20s both indoors and outdoors so I am keen to reacquaint myself with it, and I'd rather rush a small crop through initially under a metal halide lamp whilst I get some action outside with a few larger plants (I have a kosher mate with a big unused bush block. I'd prefer to make the hash myself rather than buy it, so I know its pure, and that I've given everything the best possible shot. Thanks for the good advice.

[Johnyb]

greetnz

welcome to 0z stonerz

i am a parent too bro, 7 times

i hear you

im so sorry to hear your son suffering

autusim sux

 

Thanks Radic, very interesting preliminary evidence there suggesting Mj may be safe for kids due to their lack of CB1 receptors, hell, it can't be any worse than respiridone, thats nasty stuff indeed. Appreciate your input greatly.

[Radic]

welcome johnyb

there is lots more

check these

from granny storm crows list

 

AUTISM and Medicinal Cannabis

 

THE SAM PROJECT: James D. (news / anecdotal - 2002)

http://www.letfreedo...les/james_d.htm

 

Medical marijuana: a valuable treatment for autism? (news / anecdotal - 2003)

http://www.autism.co...d_marijuana.htm

 

Autism and Medical Marijuana (news / anecdotal - 2008?)

http://autism.com/tr...rijuana_org.htm

 

Autism, ADD, ADHD and Marijuana Therapy (news - 2008)

http://www.entheolog...iewer.asp?a=319

 

Sam�s Story: Using Medical Cannabis to Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder

(news / anecdotal - 2009)

http://www.letfreedo...u/SamsStory.htm

 

Mom: Medical marijuana saved son's life (news / anecdotal - 2009)

http://abclocal.go.c...alth&id=6989085

 

Sam's Story: Medical Marijuana and Autism (news / anecdotal - 2009)

http://www.ktla.com/...0,1396115.story

"If the truth won't do, then something is wrong!"

Granny's Grandpa- Rev. John Schwabenland

 

you are going the right way

i will help

kidz rule

cannabis is safe for children

and no yucky side effects

 

free cannabis

heal the children

heal the land

[STONEDAJ69]

I'll be straight up.

I have MILD (note the capitals) MILD Aspergers Syndrome, which is a form of Autism.

I smoke, And I will fully back any and all claims made in the above post by Radic, because it has helped to change my life. When I was expelled from high school, not even finishing year 10, it was for K.O.ing the principal. And that aint the worst thing on my record.

 

 

Since I started smoking, I've been able to hold jobs, be a family guy, I wrote a book (no deal), shit like that. DOnt get me wrong, I still hate being around people I dont know - as in, not in public, that doesnt freak me, just irritates me, but if its something where I'm expected to conversate, good luck being you.

 

But that's about the only thing that I know of that I can link to autism. Everything else went away the moment I first toked that mouldy half a cone that stevo handed me... never forget, we were watching monday night raw, he's just had his first puff in months and handed it to me still lit, so I hit it. Coughed my ring up for a good ten minutes after, but I hit it.

 

And thank god I did.

 

And I'm not the best or worse case scenario. I'm saying that the government, the police, even most doctors, just don't know how beneficial it is. Guess they listened to the 40s+50s guvmint hype.

 

Sorry to rant - I'm actually more coherent once I've smoked a bowl...

[Chronmasta]

Hi johnyb,

sorry to here about the dramas mate.....i too have a 7yr old so i can only imagine how heart breaking it would be

 

while i would understand if you didnt want too ....and its just a thought ......but have ya thought about asking for permission?

 

I know it seems a bit far fetched, and the answer probably wont be what you`re after....but in doing so, you`ll be concreting the fact that you`ve got a reasonable excuse.....and if they say yes.....you`ll have lawful authority

 

i know, its the probably the last thing ya wanna be thinkn about

 

if ya need to know who to write too..just click the link below.

who ya gonna call?

 

anyway take care mate, i hope it works for the lil champ

 

Chron

Edited January 9, 2011 by Chronmasta

[Johnyb]

Hi johnyb,

sorry to here about the dramas mate.....i too have a 7yr old so i can only imagine how heart breaking it would be

 

while i would understand if you didnt want too ....and its just a thought ......but have ya thought about asking for permission?

 

I know it seems a bit far fetched, and the answer probably wont be what you`re after....but in doing so, you`ll be concreting the fact that you`ve got a reasonable excuse.....and if they say yes.....you`ll have lawful authority

 

i know, its the probably the last thing ya wanna be thinkn about

 

if ya need to know who to write too..just click the link below.

who ya gonna call?

 

anyway take care mate, i hope it works for the lil champ

 

Chron

Thanks Chronmasta, I am in QLD so I might write to the boss and see what transpires. I don't like my chances given it's a child and the use would be innovative in Australia. Having said that, there are doctors in the USA who have prescribed Mj to autistic children with success, and empirical evidence. All I can do is present that information I suppose with as many facts as I can include. Thanks again champ

[daemon]

Great advise Chron, however I believe they'll say no because it's a child and then johnyb would have a spot light on him. If they find out you gave your child Cannabis, even though we all know it's a safe and effective medicine, I reckon they'd take him (your child) away and accuse you of child abuse.

 

Just my thoughts.