Can cannabis help with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Currently, the drug has been linked to helping those who suffer from anxiety and PTSD, among other conditions. Although there has been minimal research into the relationship between cannabis and autism, some small studies indicate that autistic people may well benefit from the therapeutic effects of cannabis.
We know that those who have ASD often have difficulties with behaviour and social problems. A review in 2021 has found that cannabis products can reduce the frequency and intensity including but not limited to hyperactivity, sleep problems, restlessness and aggressiveness. These are all common symptoms that people with autism suffer from. Andy often struggles with hyperactivity and restlessness, the reason why he constantly wants to be doing an activity and prefers to be outdoors.
There has also been evidence to support cannabis may improve social interaction. If backed up by larger scale studies, this could be a major breakthrough in stimulating conversations and socialisation for children with autism. Children with ASD have suffered in school settings because they have often found it difficult to socialise and befriend neurotypical classmates.
However, there have also been risks associated with cannabis use including drowsiness and appetite changes. More than half of the participants reported minor side effects. That being said, this figure is similar to the reports of side effects caused by common drugs currently used to mitigate ASD symptoms.
Overall, it is difficult to say whether cannabis should be used as a mainstream treatment for those with autism as more high quality clinical studies are needed to understand the true pros and cons of the drug. However, this is certainly something to keep an out for in the future as there appears to be potential for cannabis to be a successful treatment at least for some specific ASD symptoms.
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