A new scientific review finds that high-CBD, low-THC cannabis products have potential to “significantly improve the quality of life” for children with autism and epilepsy, additionally showing “promising results in reducing key symptoms” of other conditions experienced by young people, such as cancer—all with mostly “mild, manageable side effects.”
The report, published this week in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, assessed the findings of 10 studies since 2019 that looked at the use of medical cannabis to treat patients under 21 with various health conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cancer, treatment-resistant epilepsy and Sturge–Weber syndrome, a neurological and skin disorder. Authors of the report, from Leafwell—a telehealth company that connects patients with doctors who recommend medical marijuana—and Duke University said they “found generally positive effects across various disease states and populations.”
“In the pediatric population, emerging evidence, combined with existing literature, suggests medical cannabis may be beneficial for quality-of-life symptoms related to specific conditions, like cancer, [autism spectrum disorder], treatment-resistant epilepsy, and [Sturge-Weber syndrome],” the study shared. Notably, 74% of Autism patients experience improvement in their symptoms, with only 3% experiencing a worse feeling.
