CBD oil may be used for conditions such as epilepsy, arthritis, and anxiety. But what about developmental disorders? Are there CBD oil benefits for Asperger’s syndrome and other autism spectrum disorders? Research suggests that there indeed may be benefits. This article explores the research as well as uncovers the best CBD oil for this autism spectrum disorder. 

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

The Autism Society shares that Asperger’s syndrome was officially placed under the autism spectrum disorder umbrella in 2013 alongside Autistic Disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders. Cognitive Neuroscience Professor, Uta Frith describes it as “having a dash of autism” while other professionals describe it as “high-functioning autism,” meaning those with Asperger’s syndrome have relatively strong verbal and intellectual abilities, unlike those with more severe forms of autism.

However, there are still many challenges that can come along with Asperger’s, including

• Difficulty with conversation
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Behavior disorders
• Hypersensitivity to taste, sound, and light

Asperger’s syndrome affects everyone differently. In some cases, symptoms can improve with age or even seem to disappear. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, anger management, family therapy, support groups, psychotherapy, and psycho-education can all help those with autism socialize and function more successfully. While these are all incredible forms of therapy, what we are going to explore in this article is the therapeutic potential of CBD oil for Asperger’s. 

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural supplement derived from hemp. Unlike THC which is found in marijuana, CBD is not psychoactive and does not cause a high or impairment. Moreover, it can be used in large and regular dosages without causing addiction, dependence, or overdose. This means that CBD oil may be an effective and healthy way to treat and manage ailments and disorders on a daily basis—all without the severe side effects that come with many types of prescription medications.

CBD interacts with our bodies natural endocannabinoid system which has a hand in virtually every area of the body. Everything from immune tissues, hormone balances, and brain functioning can be affected by CBD. Cannabidiol is known to help with everything from pain relief to insomnia to cancer. The wide range of health benefits is why CBD oil has become incredibly popular in recent years.

CBD is extracted from cannabis as an oil. CBD oil can be used directly under the tongue, or it can be used in the form of edibles, topical rubs, lotions, vaporizers, CBD water, or beauty products.

CBD Oil for Asperger’s and Anxiety

Social anxiety is quite common among those with autism. CBD oil has shown to be effective in reducing anxiety in those with social anxiety disorder. In a double-blind procedure done in 2011, participants were given either 400 mg of CBD oil or a placebo. The results showed that the participants who took the CBD oil were significantly less anxious than the placebo group. This seems to be caused by the effect CBD has on the activity in limbic and paralimbic brain areas. 

Another small study used a public speaking simulation test to see how participants with social anxiety would perform after using CBD oil. Half of the participants were given CBD oil, and the other half a placebo. The participants in the CBD group performed significantly better as well as reported feeling more at ease than the placebo group.

While these studies did not deal directly with those with Asperger’s syndrome, it does suggest that CBD oil may be effective for reducing anxiety in a wide range of people. Since anxiety is often a symptom of autism, this could be huge for those with autism who struggle with social interactions due to anxiety.

The best CBD oil for autism and anxiety may be full-spectrum CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains compounds called terpenes which can also help reduce stress and anxiety. You can learn more about the benefits of terpenes here.

CBD Oil Benefits for Asperger’s and Depression

Nearly 20% of those with autism also struggle with depression. Young adults with Asperger’s are four times more likely to become depressed than the general population. Oftentimes, prescription medications are prescribed which bring along with them a plethora of side effects. However, CBD has been explored for its antidepressant-like effects. 

CBD has the unique power to affect cell receptors such as dopamine and serotonin directly. Using CBD can cause a release of these compounds which can result in positive mood changes. Ironically, one of the side effects of CBD can also be depression. CBD affects different people in different ways. If you have depression, always consult your doctor before using CBD as an alternative to antidepressants. 

CBD Oil for Autism-Related Epilepsy

Autism affects about 1 in 59 people in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This developmental disorder is not known to have a single cause, but rather it is caused by a combination of many genetic and environmental factors.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes convulsions, sensory disturbances, and unconsciousness—also known as epileptic seizures. This disorder often accompanies autism. As many as a third of those with autism also suffer from epileptic seizures.

CBD oil has long been known to help those with neurological disorders, including those with epilepsy. According to an article published on Web MD, even 10mg of CBD significantly reduced the occurrences of seizures. With autism and epileptic seizures often coexisting, this could be an incredible breakthrough supplement for improving the quality of life for people with autism spectrum disorders. 

Side Effects of CBD Oil

There are a handful of side effects associated with CBD. While CBD oil side effects are less common and often mild, they are still important to consider. These side effects include nausea, dry mouth, changes in mood, dizziness, diarrhea, changes in appetite, and depression. 

The side effects of CBD oil may be dependent on the serving size. The best CBD oil amount for autism is not entirely clear, since it largely depends on the symptoms that need to be managed. It is best to start with a small serving size and incrementally increase the amount over time as needed. It may take some experimenting to find the sweet spot. 

Is CBD legal?

Hemp and hemp-derived CBD products are 50-state legal. This means you can purchase CBD products derived from hemp without a prescription anywhere in the U.S. and use them without breaking the law. Because CBD is legal everywhere, you can purchase CBD oil online and have it shipped to you.

Although marijuana contains CBD, marijuana products are not legal in all 50 states. There are currently only a handful of states which have made marijuana fully legal for both medical and recreational use, which we try to update regularly for clarification. This is because THC causes impairment.

Keep in mind that even hemp-derived CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC. Legally, hemp can only contain 0.3% THC or less. But don’t worry, this amount isn’t enough to get your high when used as directed. However, although it is highly unlikely, the small amount of THC in a CBD product may show up on drug screens, if you use extremely large amounts of CBD. Keep this in mind if you have an upcoming drug test for any reason. some drug tests are stronger than others as well, It can take between a day and a couple of weeks for small traces of THC to leave the body. 

CBD may also show up in drug tests. However, since CBD is legal and does not cause impairment in the workplace, most employers are not concerned with you using CBD. In fact, CBD may be a great way for those with Asperger’s to perform better at work—especially in positions that require consistent social interactions.

A Better Quality of Life for Those with Autism

CBD may not be a cure to Asperger’s syndrome, but it could help treat the difficult symptoms that come along with Asperger’s and other forms of autism. It comes with relatively few and mild side effects compared to traditional medications, which may make it a great natural alternative. 

There’s a lot more research to be done. An article in the New York Post shared that a large-scale study will launch soon to further investigate the treatment potential of CBD products for autism. Clinical trials will be run on teens and children as young as 5-years-old. These studies aim to explore not only mild forms of autism, like Asperger’s syndrome, but also more severe forms of autism. 

The research that is available to us today shows us that there are huge potential benefits for CBD and symptoms related to autism. CBD oil could even be the key to a better quality of life in millions of autistic children and adults. 

If you’re not sure where to buy CBD oil for autism, check out our shop at Intrinsic Hemp. You can order CBD oil online for Asperger’s syndrome and have it delivered right to your door. 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Due to FDA Regulations, we recommend that you do your own research on CBD products. We also suggest that you read the reviews on our website, where our customers record their real-world results of using our products.