New Research Indicates Benefit of Cannabis in Autism - Dr. David Hepburn

"And furthermore, dosages and CBD:THC ratios are starting to emerge. “Mothers” in many countries, recognizing that cannabis is helping their autistic children, have risked breaking the law and organized en masse to change laws. And now, significant attention is being directed towards using cannabis in this difficult spectrum. 1:20 THC:CBD at about 4 mg/kg CBD and 0.3mg/kg THC per day."

- Dr. David Hepburn.

Recommended by Dr. David Hepburn:

Brief Report: Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Severe Behavioral Problems-A Retrospective Feasibility Study.

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence of successful cannabis treatment in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are accumulating but clinical studies are lacking. This retrospective study assessed tolerability and efficacy of cannabidiol-rich cannabis, in 60 children with ASD and severe behavioral problems (age = 11.8 ± 3.5, range 5.0-17.5; 77% low functioning; 83% boys). Efficacy was assessed using the Caregiver Global Impression of Change scale. Adverse events included sleep disturbances (14%) irritability (9%) and loss of appetite (9%). One girl who used higher tetrahydrocannabinol had a transient serious psychotic event which required treatment with an antipsychotic. Following the cannabis treatment, behavioral outbreaks were much improved or very much improved in 61% of patients. This preliminary study supports feasibility of CBD-based cannabis trials in children with ASD.

To read the full article please visit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30382443

Dr. Dave Hepburn website:https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Cannabis better than narcotics in treatment of back pain in Fibromyalgia - Dr. David Hepburn

Article Recommended by Dr. David Hepburn:

Effect of adding medical cannabis to analgesic treatment in patients with low back pain related to fibromyalgia: an observational cross-over single centre study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Low back pain (LBP) occurs in many patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The current study aimed to assess the possible pain and function amelioration associated with medical cannabis therapy (MCT) in this setting.

METHODS:

31 patients were involved in an observational cross-over study. The patients were screened, treated with 3 months of standardised analgesic therapy (SAT): 5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride equivalent to 4.5 mg oxycodone and 2.5 mg naloxone hydrochloride twice a day and duloxetine 30 mg once a day. Following 3 months of this therapy, the patients could opt for MCT and were treated for a minimum of 6 months. Patient reported outcomes (PRO's) included: FIQR, VAS, ODI and SF-12 and lumbar range of motion (ROM) was recorded using the modified Schober test.

RESULTS:

While SAT led to minor improvement as compared with baseline status, the addition of MCT allowed a significantly higher improvement in all PRO's at 3 months after initiation of MCT and the improvement was maintained at 6 months. ROM improved after 3 months of MCT and continued to improve at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

This observational cross-over study demonstrates an advantage of MCT in FM patients with LBP as compared with SAT. Further randomised clinical trial studies should assess whether these results can be generalised to the FM population at large.

"Cannabis more effective than narcotics? The opiate (narcotics) crisis is gruesome with roughly half of those who die being due to prescription opiates. Nobody does of cannabis; the safety profile is secure. But efficacy? Fibromyalgia patients with back pain actually do better on cannabis than on opiates. Remarkable."

-Dr. Dave Hepburn

To read the full article please visit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30418116

Dr. Dave Hepburn website:https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Cannabis may be helpful in the treatment of children with autism in an open study

Article Recommended by Dr. David Hepburn:

Brief Report: Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Severe Behavioral Problems-A Retrospective Feasibility Study.

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence of successful cannabis treatment in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are accumulating but clinical studies are lacking. This retrospective study assessed tolerability and efficacy of cannabidiol-rich cannabis, in 60 children with ASD and severe behavioral problems (age = 11.8 ± 3.5, range 5.0-17.5; 77% low functioning; 83% boys). 

Efficacy was assessed using the Caregiver Global Impression of Change scale. Adverse events included sleep disturbances (14%) irritability (9%) and loss of appetite (9%). One girl who used higher tetrahydrocannabinol had a transient serious psychotic event which required treatment with an antipsychotic.

Following the cannabis treatment, behavioral outbreaks were much improved or very much improved in 61% of patients. This preliminary study supports feasibility of CBD-based cannabis trials in children with ASD.

"Data continues to support the use of CBD as a area to focus in on for treatment of ASD. Studies currently underway (including one being funded by the US Department of Defence) should shed further light on why it helps for some patients and for some symptoms of this complicated disease."

-Dr. Dave Hepburn

To read the full article please visit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30382443

Dr. Dave Hepburn website:https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Sexually Activity in Rats Increased by Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Activation

Article recommend by Dr. Dave Hepburn:

"Men and rats have been closely compared (primarily by women); hence this study is pertinent. The activation of CB1 receptors (the same receptors acted on by plant THC) by the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, transforms boring non copulating rats into sexually active animals." 

Dr. Dave Hepburn

Sexual interaction is essential for the transformation of non-copulating rats into sexually active animals by the endocannabinoid anandamide.

Abstract

The endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) transforms half of the population of previously non-copulating (NC) rats into sexually active animals in a long-lasting manner. The aim of this work was to explore the nature of this transformation.

We identified the dose range in which AEA induces mating behavior in previously NC rats, which evidenced a dose-based, biphasic profile for AEA to induce the transformation of NC rats. We demonstrate that the sexual interaction with a receptive female, involving at least an intromission, is essential for AEA to induce the transformation of NC rats.

This AEA-induced conversion is centrally mediated and involves the activation of CB1 receptors. Results indicate that the sexual impairment of this population of NC rats relies on their incapacity to initiate sexual activity and that an unidentified brain inhibitory influence on sexual behavior expression is removed by AEA treatment, allowing previously NC rats to show copulatory behavior in a long-lasting manner.

To read the full article please visit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30439451

Dr. David Hepburn website:
doctordavidhepburn.com