How It Works
Why CBD?
There is a LOT of science behind how our bodies interact with cannabinoids like CBD. Let’s start simple and break down the biggest piece of the puzzle — why and how CBD interacts with our bodies.
- Our bodies have a system called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short.
- Our ECS has receptors — like a lock waiting for a key.
- Cannabinoids (like CBD) are like little keys that fit into those receptors.
- Children or adults with autism frequently suffer from a range of physical and mental health conditions.
- There are ongoing studies to discover how CBD may interact with the physical and mental health of those with autism.
Explore these ongoing studies:
Bilge, S., Ekici, B.
CBD-enriched cannabis for autism spectrum disorder: an experience of a single center in Turkey and reviews of the literature. J Cannabis Res 3, 53 (2021).
Aran A, Cassuto H, Lubotzky A, Wattad N, Hazan E.
Cannabidiol-rich cannabis in children with autism spectrum disorder and severe behavioral problems-a retrospective feasibility study. J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49:1284–8.
Barchel D, Stolar O, De-Haan T, Ziv-Baran T, Saban N, Fuchs D, et al.
Oral cannabidiol use in children with autism spectrum disorder to treat related symptoms and co-morbidities. Front Pharmacol. 2019;9:1521.
Fusar-Poli L, Vito C, Tinacci S, Concas I, Petralia A, Signorelli MS, et al.
Cannabinoids for people with ASD: a systematic review of published and ongoing studies. Brain Sci. 2020;9:572–6.
Leas EC, Hendrickson M, Nobles LA, Davey RT, Smith M, Dredze M, et al.
Self-reported cannabidiol (CBD) use for conditions with proven therapies. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(10):e2020977.
Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider, Mechoulam R, Saban N, Meiri G, Novack V.
Real-life experience of medical cannabis treatment in autism: analysis of safety and efficacy. Sci Rep. 2019;9:1–3.
Mc Partlan JM, Guy GW, Di Marzo V.
Care and feeding of the endocannabinoid system: a systematic review of potential clinical interventions that upregulate the endocannabinoid system. PLoS One. 2014;9:3.
McVige J, Headd V, Alwahaidy M, Lis D, Kaur D, Albert B, et al.
Medical cannabis in the treatment of patients with autism spectrum disorder. 2020;94:1648.
Mostafavi M, Gaitanis J.
Autism spectrum disorder and medical cannabis: review & clinical experience. Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2020;35:100833.
Paulo Fleury T, Caixeta FV, Ramires da Silva LC, Brasil-Neto JP, Malcher-Lopes R.
Effects of CBD-enriched cannabis sativa extract on autism spectrum disorder symptoms: an observational study of 18 participants undergoing compassionate use. Front Neurol. 2019;10:1145.