Category Archives: Autism

The endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic exploitation.

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“The term ‘endocannabinoid’ – originally coined in the mid-1990s after the discovery of membrane receptors for the psychoactive principle in Cannabis, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and their endogenous ligands – now indicates a whole signalling system that comprises cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands and enzymes for ligand biosynthesis and inactivation. This system seems to be involved in an ever-increasing number of pathological conditions. With novel products already being aimed at the pharmaceutical market little more than a decade since the discovery of cannabinoid receptors, the endocannabinoid system seems to hold even more promise for the future development of therapeutic drugs. We explore the conditions under which the potential of targeting the endocannabinoid system might be realized in the years to come.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15340387

http://www.nature.com/nrd/journal/v3/n9/full/nrd1495.html

Marijuana Autism Miracle!

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“Government continues the big lie.

Marijuana helps kids with autism spectrum disorders and often results in dramatic behavioral benefits, sometimes even complete relief from their incapacitating symptoms.”

Marijuana Autism Miracle!

“This was reported in the scientific journal Nature Communications and further supports the huge body of medical evidence that marijuana is the best, safest brain medicine that we have. It is also well documented that it is very effective for M.S., Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Migraines, Seizures, etc.

 Yet our government keeps telling the BIG LIE: that marijuana is a dangerous, addictive drug with no known medical benefits!

Children with the autism spectrum disorders, especially those that resulted from Fragile X syndrome, often end up significantly disabled because of this terrible condition that results in trouble doing even such basic things as talking and walking, and also causes major deficits in social behavior.

Researchers from U.C., Irvine and from Inserm, a French research organization, again documented that that marijuana’s active ingredient, THC, has corresponding endocannabinoids in the brain that naturally improve the brain’s function.

Marijuana is actually potent enough to relieve many autism symptoms and essentially reestablishes synapses which are vital for correct brain function. This may explain why it is so therapeutic for so many brain conditions and illnesses and is also such a pleasurable herb. And cannabis has no unpleasant or harmful side effects. After the intelligent voters of Colorado and Washington recognized how safe and effective it is and voted to make it legal for all adults, it’s incredible that our government still tells us the big lie: that marijuana is a dangerous, addictive drug with no known medical benefits.

It’s actually the safest recreational, over-the counter or prescription drug in the world, never causing a single death. And it’s proven to be a remarkably effective medication for 50 different diseases including all the neurological ones listed  above, plus cancer, nausea and vomiting  including hyperemesis gravidarum of pregnancy (remember Princess Kate), chronic pain, arthritis, AIDS, Crohn’s Disease, anxiety, ADHD, depression, insomnia, etc.” – 

                Stephen H. Frye, M.D.
 
 

Oregon family uses medical marijuana to manage son’s autistic rage

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“An Oregon family has turned to medical marijuana to manage their son’s severe autistic rage. “It was indescribable, it was horrifying,” said Jeremy Echols, father of 11-year-old Alex. “When you’ve got no other options, are you honestly gonna say no?”

Eleven-year-old Alex Echols is severely autistic, and his doctor said Alex’s self-destructive behavior is brought on by Tuberous Sclerosis, a rare, genetic disorder that affects about 50,000 people in the U.S.  The disorder causes unregulated growth of non-malignant tissue in organs. In Alex’s case, his neurologist said growths in Alex’s brain have led to seizures and autism.”

Read more: http://www.kptv.com/story/20660400/medical-marijuana-used-to-treat-autism

“The Echols have set up a Facebook page that chronicles Alex’s journey. You can find their blog at www.facebook.com/alex.autism.rage.mmj.”

Ore. parents use pot to treat boy’s autistic rages

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“The parents of an 11-year-old boy in Oregon are using marijuana for his autistic rages.

Alex Echols’ behavior was brought on by tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder that affects about 50,000 Americans. The disease causes growths in organs, which can lead to seizures and autism.

Echols  cannot communicate with words, so it is difficult for his parents to know what’s troubling him.

His parents have turned to medical marijuana to manage his behavior.

Echols is one of about 50 Oregon children with a medical marijuana card. While autism is not a qualifying medical condition like cancer or severe pain, seizures are.

After a few months of treatment, his parents say they saw a dramatic improvement.

“Indescribable, it was horrifying,” says Echols’ father. “He was …. acting normal then all of a sudden run himself into a wall. When you’ve got no other options are you honestly going to say ‘No’?””

http://www.10news.com/lifestyle/health/parents-use-pot-for-to-treat-boys-autistic-rages-012513

Boy given medical marijuana to manage violent Autism symptoms

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“Parents of a young boy are using medical marijuana to help manage violent self control issues due to Autism. The boys parents were not able to find a solution to their sons violent outbursts and self destructive behavior.They then researched using medical marijuana as a solution. The child has shown remarkable positive results using the liquid form of the drug.”

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYlAbJRQ5g0 

“Boy given pot to manage autism

 An Oregon family is using medical marijuana to calm their son’s autistic rage. KPTV covers this difficult story.”
.http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2013/01/24/dnt-pot-helps-kid-with-autism.kptv

Marijuana-Like Chemical May Help Autism And Fragile X Syndrome Symptoms

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“American and European researchers have found that increasing natural marijuana-like chemicals in the brain may help correct behavioral issues related to autism.

Daniele Piomelli of UC Irvine and Olivier Manzoni of INSERM, the French national research agency, led the study, which could result in treatments of anxiety and cognitive defects in individuals with fragile X syndrome, the most common known genetic cause of autism, according to a press release by UC Irvine.

The study examined 2-AG, which naturally occurs in the brain and is in a class of chemicals called endocannabinoid transmitters. These transmitters allow for the efficient transport of electrical signals at synapses, which is severely limited in people with fragile X syndrome.

The researchers treated mice that exhibited symptoms of fragile X syndrome with novel compounds that correct 2-AG protein signaling in the brain. And the results were promising–the mice showed “dramatic behavioral improvements in maze tests measuring anxiety and open-space acceptance,” UCI reports.

Piomelli said this is the first study to identify the role of naturally-occuring endocannabinoids, which share a similar chemical structure with THC, the primary psychoactive component of marijuana. “What we hope is to one day increase the ability of people with fragile X syndrome to socialize and engage in normal cognitive functions,” said Piomelli, a UCI professor of anatomy and neurobiology.

“It would be either an oral or injected drug but that’s at the very end stage of drug discovery, and we are at the very early stage of drug discovery,” Kwang Mook Jung, a researcher on the study and UCI professor, told The Huffington Post.

In addition, his study of endocannabinoids could result in new treatments for anxiety, pain, depression and obesity, according to UCI.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/27/marijuana-chemical-autism-fragile-x_n_1920320.html

 

Using medical marijuana to treat autism

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“NBC – Plenty of parents give their kids chocolate. But this is not your typical chocolate bar.

Meiko Hester-Perez is giving her severely autistic 12-year-old son, Joey, chocolate laced with medical marijuana.” 

Joey Hester-Perez

“Hester-Perez didn’t make the decision lightly. But this is what Joey looked like two-and-a-half years ago: he weighed just 42 pounds. It’s a stark contrast to his current weight of 112 pounds.

“My son was absolutely withering away. You could see the bones in his chest,” Hester-Perez said.

Out of desperation, she Googled cannabis and autism, and soon realized she wasn’t the only one that made the connection. Other parents and autism experts found success with medical marijuana as a treatment for autistic children. That was all she needed to take the next step to get a medical marijuana card for Joey. The first time she gave him a pot brownie, she said she saw immediate results.

“Everything is improved. Right now he’s given one brownie every two to three days. Whereas the other medications he was taking every single day, twice a day,” she said.

Hester-Perez said medical marijuana not only gave him a big appetite, which we saw ourselves as he munched almost non-stop on a bag of chips during our interview, it also helped his behavior, she said.

“He was calm, sociable, happy, more productive,” Hester-Perez said.

NBC called dozens of pediatricians, psychiatrists and autism experts looking for someone who would be critical of Hester-Perez’s decision, but no one wanted to talk on camera. We finally found Dr. Seth Ammeran, a Stanford professor who’s also on the American Academy of Pediatrics substance abuse committee. And while he doesn’t question parents’ motives in using medical marijuana to treat autism, he is concerned.

“Parents have the best interest of their kids at heart, and they want to do what’s best for their kids,” said Seth Ammeran. “But as a medical professional who really needs to look at the science behind recommendations, I can’t in good conscience recommend it.”

After all, she has experience. The mother in this story is trying money and awareness for autism and marijuana research through a non-profit called the Unconventional Foundation for Autism.”

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/267091/28/Mom-treating-sons-autism-with-pot-brownies

Can Medical Marijuana Help Severely Autistic Children? – NBCNews

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“While medical marijuana is used to treat dozens of ailments, one mother swears by it to help her severely autistic son.

In fact, she’s convinced pot has saved his life.

Meiko Hester-Perez gives her severely autistic 12-year old son Joey the marijuana in chocolate.

“When your son is knocking on deaths door there’s nothing you won’t do,” according to Meiko Hester-Perez. “It happened to be cannabis for our family.”

Hester-Perez didn’t make the decision lightly, two and a half years ago Joey only weighed 42 pounds. A stark contrast to his current weight of 112 pounds.

“My son was absolutely withering away. You could see the bones in his chest,” according to Hester-Perez.

Out of desperation, she Googled cannabis and autism, and realized she wasn’t the only one who made the connection.

Other parents and autism experts found success with medical marijuana as a treatment for autistic children.

The first time Hester-Perez gave Joey a pot brownie she saw almost immediate results.

“Everything has improved. Right now, he’s given one brownie every two to three days, whereas the other medications he was taking every single day, twice a day,” according to Hester-Perez.

But there are those who aren’t sold on the idea.

Doctor Seth Ammeran says using medical marijuana to treat autism is cause for concern because there has been no research on the topic.

“Parents have the best interest of their kids at heart, and they want to do what’s best for their kids, but as a medical professional who really needs to look at the science behind recommendations, I can’t in good conscious recommend it,” says Dr. Seth Ammeran, of the American Academy of Pediatrics Substance Abuse Committee.

But Hester-Perez says the research is there, it’s just not being done in the traditional sense.

“Whether we like it or not, the studies are being done,” says Hester-Perez, “and they’re being done within our homes.””

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/health/Can-Medical-Marijuana-be-used-to-Help-Severely-Autistic-Children-125125964.html

Marijuana cannabinoids found to help combat autism

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“(NaturalNews) The cannabinoid compounds naturally found in many varieties of cannabis, also known more commonly as marijuana, may help children with autism spectrum disorders experience dramatic behavioral improvements, and potentially even full recovery from their symptoms. These are the findings of a new study published in the journal Nature Communications that help reinforce the growing body of evidence which shows that medicinal cannabinoids hold incredible potential in both treating and potentially curing chronic illness.

Daniele Piomelli from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and her colleague Olivier Manzoni from Inserm, a French research agency, observed that marijuana cannabinoids are very closely related to the endocannabinoid transmitters naturally found in the brain that facilitate the transport of electrical signals between neurons. Known as 2-AG, these transmitters are responsible for regulating a whole host of important bodily processes, which include things like telling the body when it is hungry or when it is experiencing pain.

Children with autism spectrum disorders; however, including those who developed these disorders as a result of Fragile X syndrome, which is said to be the most commonly-known genetic cause of autism, often have poorly or non-functioning 2-AG, which necessitates chronic synaptic failure in the brain. Many children with Fragile X-induced autism end up becoming mentally disabled as a result of this synaptic failure, and have trouble developing basic motor skills like walking and talking, or learning how to behave in various social situations.

But taking marijuana cannabinoids, which as we pointed out in an earlier article are not psychoactive in the same way that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is (http://www.naturalnews.com/035759_cannabis_juicing_health.html), can help effectively block the enzymes that inhibit the proper function of 2-AG. In essence, marijuana cannabinoids essentially restore synaptic communication by feeding an ailing body the cannabinoids it lacks, which are absolutely vital for proper cell function and communication.

“Endocannabinoid compounds are created naturally in the body and share a similar chemical structure with THC … (and) are distinctive because they link with protein molecule receptors — called cannabinoid receptors — on the surface of cells,” explains the UCI report. “Because the body’s natural cannabinoids control a variety of factors — such as pain, mood and appetite — they’re attractive targets for drug discovery and development.””

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/037445_marijuana_cannabinoids_autism.html#ixzz2DRNu5iDg

Cannabis-like chemical combats chief genetic cause of autism

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“Natural cannabis-like chemicals in the brain may help combat the leading genetic cause of autism, research has shown.

Scientists linked blockages in a signalling pathway dependent on the compounds, called 2-AG endocannabinoid transmitters, with symptoms of Fragile X syndrome.

Correcting the fault with drugs led to dramatic behavioural improvements in mice with a version of the condition.

Fragile X syndrome is the most common known genetic cause of autism.

It results from a mutation in the FMR1 gene on the female X chromosome. Men possess one copy of the chromosome, paired with a male Y chromosome, and women two.

Boys are much more likely to be born with Fragile X than girls. This is thought to be because with two X chromosomes, a defect in one may be compensated for by the other.

People with the syndrome suffer mental impairment, learning difficulties, and may be hyperactive or impulsive. They also possess notable physical characteristics such as an elongated face, flat feet and large ears.

“What we hope is to one day increase the ability of people with Fragile X syndrome to socialise and engage in normal cognitive functions,” said lead researcher Professor Daniele Piomelli, from the University of California at Irvine in the United States.

The study was the first to identify the role of endocannabinoids in the neurobiology of Fragile X, she said.

About endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoid compounds are created naturally in the body and share a similar chemical structure with THC, the primary psychoactive component of the marijuana plant, Cannabis.

Endocannabinoids are distinctive because they link with protein molecule receptors — called cannabinoid receptors — on the surface of cells. For instance, when a person smokes marijuana, the cannabinoid THC activates these receptors. And because the body’s natural cannabinoids control a variety of factors — such as pain, mood and appetite — they’re attractive targets for drug discovery and development.”

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/cannabis-chemical-combats-chief-genetic-cause-of-autism-16216090.html#ixzz2DRLsbjJO