Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefits
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may significantly impact the well-being of patients and their families. The therapeutic use of cannabis for ASD has gained interest due to its promising results and low side effects, but a consensus on treatment guidelines is lacking. In this study, we conducted a ret...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1210155/full |
| _version_ | 1797739940746887168 |
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| author | Patrícia Soares Silva Montagner Wesley Medeiros Leandro Cruz Ramires da Silva Leandro Cruz Ramires da Silva Clarissa Nogueira Borges Joaquim Brasil-Neto Vinícius de Deus Silva Barbosa Vinícius de Deus Silva Barbosa Fabio V. Caixeta Renato Malcher-Lopes |
| author_facet | Patrícia Soares Silva Montagner Wesley Medeiros Leandro Cruz Ramires da Silva Leandro Cruz Ramires da Silva Clarissa Nogueira Borges Joaquim Brasil-Neto Vinícius de Deus Silva Barbosa Vinícius de Deus Silva Barbosa Fabio V. Caixeta Renato Malcher-Lopes |
| author_sort | Patrícia Soares Silva Montagner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may significantly impact the well-being of patients and their families. The therapeutic use of cannabis for ASD has gained interest due to its promising results and low side effects, but a consensus on treatment guidelines is lacking. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with autistic symptoms who were treated with full-spectrum cannabis extracts (FCEs) in a response-based, individually-tailored dosage regimen. The daily dosage and relative proportions of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were adjusted based on treatment results following periodic clinical evaluation. Most patients (80%) were treated for a minimum of 6 months. We have used a novel, detailed online patient- or caregiver-reported outcome survey that inquired about core and comorbid symptoms, and quality of life. We also reviewed patients’ clinical files, and no individual condition within the autistic spectrum was excluded. This real-life approach enabled us to gain a clearer appraisal of the ample scope of benefits that FCEs can provide for ASD patients and their families. Eighteen patients started with a CBD-rich FCE titrating protocol, and in three of them, the CBD-rich (CBD-dominant) FCE was gradually complemented with low doses of a THC-rich (THC-dominant) FCE based on observed effects. Two other patients have used throughout treatment a blend of two FCEs, one CBD-rich and the other THC-rich. The outcomes were mainly positive for most symptoms, and only one patient from each of the two above-mentioned situations displayed important side effects one who has used only CBD-rich FCE throughout the treatment, and another who has used a blend of CBD-Rich and THC-rich FCEs. Therefore, after FCE treatment, 18 out of 20 patients showed improvement in most core and comorbid symptoms of autism, and in quality of life for patients and their families. For them, side effects were mild and infrequent. Additionally, we show, for the first time, that allotriophagy (Pica) can be treated by FCEs. Other medications were reduced or completely discontinued in most cases. Based on our findings, we propose guidelines for individually tailored dosage regimens that may be adapted to locally available qualified FCEs and guide further clinical trials. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:04:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1103e73b5d164d11bba5ecd99f10169c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:04:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-1103e73b5d164d11bba5ecd99f10169c2023-08-21T14:32:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402023-08-011410.3389/fpsyt.2023.12101551210155Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefitsPatrícia Soares Silva Montagner0Wesley Medeiros1Leandro Cruz Ramires da Silva2Leandro Cruz Ramires da Silva3Clarissa Nogueira Borges4Joaquim Brasil-Neto5Vinícius de Deus Silva Barbosa6Vinícius de Deus Silva Barbosa7Fabio V. Caixeta8Renato Malcher-Lopes9NeuroVinci, São José, BrazilLaboratory of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, BrazilClinical Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, BrazilBrazilian Association of Medical Cannabis Patients, Ama-Me, Belo Horizonte, BrazilSpecialized Educational Care Division for Gifted Students of the Department of Education of the Federal District, Brasília, BrazilEuro-American University Center, Unieuro, Brasília, BrazilMedical Cannabis Center–Syrian-Lebanese Hospital, São Paulo, BrazilNational Association for Inclusion of the Autistic People, São Paulo, BrazilLaboratory of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, BrazilLaboratory of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, BrazilAutism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may significantly impact the well-being of patients and their families. The therapeutic use of cannabis for ASD has gained interest due to its promising results and low side effects, but a consensus on treatment guidelines is lacking. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with autistic symptoms who were treated with full-spectrum cannabis extracts (FCEs) in a response-based, individually-tailored dosage regimen. The daily dosage and relative proportions of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were adjusted based on treatment results following periodic clinical evaluation. Most patients (80%) were treated for a minimum of 6 months. We have used a novel, detailed online patient- or caregiver-reported outcome survey that inquired about core and comorbid symptoms, and quality of life. We also reviewed patients’ clinical files, and no individual condition within the autistic spectrum was excluded. This real-life approach enabled us to gain a clearer appraisal of the ample scope of benefits that FCEs can provide for ASD patients and their families. Eighteen patients started with a CBD-rich FCE titrating protocol, and in three of them, the CBD-rich (CBD-dominant) FCE was gradually complemented with low doses of a THC-rich (THC-dominant) FCE based on observed effects. Two other patients have used throughout treatment a blend of two FCEs, one CBD-rich and the other THC-rich. The outcomes were mainly positive for most symptoms, and only one patient from each of the two above-mentioned situations displayed important side effects one who has used only CBD-rich FCE throughout the treatment, and another who has used a blend of CBD-Rich and THC-rich FCEs. Therefore, after FCE treatment, 18 out of 20 patients showed improvement in most core and comorbid symptoms of autism, and in quality of life for patients and their families. For them, side effects were mild and infrequent. Additionally, we show, for the first time, that allotriophagy (Pica) can be treated by FCEs. Other medications were reduced or completely discontinued in most cases. Based on our findings, we propose guidelines for individually tailored dosage regimens that may be adapted to locally available qualified FCEs and guide further clinical trials.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1210155/fullendocannabinoid systemPicaallotriophagyCannabis sativaCBDTHC |
| spellingShingle | Patrícia Soares Silva Montagner Wesley Medeiros Leandro Cruz Ramires da Silva Leandro Cruz Ramires da Silva Clarissa Nogueira Borges Joaquim Brasil-Neto Vinícius de Deus Silva Barbosa Vinícius de Deus Silva Barbosa Fabio V. Caixeta Renato Malcher-Lopes Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefits Frontiers in Psychiatry endocannabinoid system Pica allotriophagy Cannabis sativa CBD THC |
| title | Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefits |
| title_full | Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefits |
| title_fullStr | Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefits |
| title_full_unstemmed | Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefits |
| title_short | Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefits |
| title_sort | individually tailored dosage regimen of full spectrum cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms a real life report of multi symptomatic benefits |
| topic | endocannabinoid system Pica allotriophagy Cannabis sativa CBD THC |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1210155/full |
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