Medical Marijuana For Autism Patients In Missouri

Does Autism Qualify For Medical Marijuana In Missouri?

While there is debate on whether autism rates are increasing, or if diagnoses are just being made more often as we better understand the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the rate of autism diagnoses has increased from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 59 children as of 2014. As a result, the use of cannabis in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders was initially driven by desperate parents trying to find anything that might help control ASD-related behaviors in their children, including groups like Mothers Advocating Medical Marijuana for Autism.

 

How Does Medical Marijuana Help Autism?

Conditions in the ASD spectrum are complex neurobehavioral disorders characterized by impaired communication and social interaction. Recent preclinical research has found that enhancing the signaling of the endocannabinoid anandamide mediates the action of oxytocin, which rewards social interaction - a process that is disrupted in autism.

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Almost all anecdotal accounts of medical marijuana treatment for autism point to the calming influence of cannabis, supporting the use of cannabis as a mild sedative and tranquilizing agent without the likelihood of adverse side effects. Most parental accounts of the successful use of cannabis claim that the medicine calms certain violently oppositional children.

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Evidence is becoming available that autistic individuals exhibit an average of five (5) times the number of CB2 receptors compared to that of non-autistic individuals. This is significant as CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, targets these CB2 receptors directly and promotes regulatory homeostasis.

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A recent study conducted in an Israeli clinical trial reported that children taking a cannabis extract improved 49% and 53% on two scales measuring autism symptoms and disruptive behavior. The children treated with medical marijuana also showed 50% improvements on a scale that tracks core autism symptoms. The study found that cannabis oil was "safe and effective" for the treatment of ASD symptoms.

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For some families, including the parents of Dylan from Rhode Island, medical marijuana has become most trusted treatment option as his symptoms seemed to defy treatment with traditional medicine including Ritalin, Klonopin, and Abilify, among 13 other drugs that he has tried and different diets including gluten-free and dairy-free.

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The following is a post that was shared online by parents of autistic children sharing their experiences with medical marijuana treatment:

"Had to share this behavior chart ...The high marks are from last summer – crazy, awful behaviors. He always regresses in the summer. The circled area highlights the major drop in behaviors. The difference between then and every single summer in the past and now: medical marijuana."

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More results are expected to continue to pour in as the first large-scale clinical trial in the United States is underway at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York with $1.3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Defense.

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Get Medical Marijuana In Missouri With Missouri Marijuana Card

Missouri Marijuana Card has doctor offices throughout the State of Missouri that specialize in helping qualifying patients access medical marijuana. If you’re interested in discussing whether medical marijuana is right for you, we're here to help you every step of the way.  Give us a call, or schedule an appointment online for more information. You can also check out our frequently asked questions page.