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Medical Marijuana For Patients With Autism In Minnesota
Can Autism be Treated with Medical Marijuana in Minnesota?
Autism Spectrum Disorder comprises a group of neurological disorders that generally appear before the age of 3 and affect the brain’s development in areas related to social interactions, communication, and cognitive function. The condition is also marked by repetitive behaviors or interests. Additionally, autism is often associated with many other conditions, including epilepsy, sleeping disorders, anxiety, and depression, amongst many more.
Although there is no cure for autism, there are several interventions that may make its symptoms more manageable, including some medications.
Fortunately, for Minnesotans one of those medications is medical marijuana.
Autism is a Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana in Minnesota
Autism was added to the qualifying conditions here in 2017, as a result of the Department of Health’s formal petition process. Once a year the Department considers the merits of adding qualifying conditions that have been submitted for consideration by Minnesotans. Based on the research suggesting that medical marijuana can be an effective treatment for autism, the Department sided with petitioners and added autism to the list.
While scientists don’t know exactly how cannabis works in the brain to alleviate autism symptoms, former Minnesota Commissioner of Health said, “there is increasing evidence for potential benefits of medical cannabis for those with severe autism.”
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Get approved to legally obtain, consume, transport and process medical marijuana from a licensed Minnesota marijuana dispensary.
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Cannabis for Behavioral Issues Related to Autism
Medical marijuana can help alleviate some of the behavioral issues more directly associated with autism. For example, one study found that children with autism who treated it with cannabis showed significant improvement in disruptive behavior. And in another study, study participants reported significant increases in quality of life, positive mood, good sleep and concentration, and ability to dress and shower independently after six months of treating autism with cannabis.
Cannabis for Conditions Associated With Autism
Medical marijuana can also help people with autism by treating some of the various conditions associated with the disorder.
Epilepsy
Rates of epilepsy are significantly higher among people with autism than they are among the general population, and rates of autism are higher among people with epilepsy than they are among other groups. These correlations have led researchers to suspect that autism is linked to epilepsy somehow, and medical marijuana has proven to be an effective treatment for epilepsy.
Depression
People with autism also often face depression, another condition that marijuana can treat. Researchers have found that medical marijuana can help depression sufferers by activating brain chemicals linked to feelings of wellbeing, allowing medical marijuana to function as an antidepressant and resulting in significant decreases in reports of depression severity.
Neuroinflammation
Individuals with autism are also more likely to deal with neuroinflammation, or inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord, which can lead to cognitive difficulties, psychological issues, and chronic pain, among other conditions. Medical marijuana has proven to be an effective treatment for alleviating neuroinflammation.
Treating Autism with Medical Marijuana: You Aren’t Alone
Making healthcare decisions for ourselves and for our children can often be confusing and scary, especially in the case of a condition like autism, where there is still so much we do not know.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. Our doctors are compassionate and passionate: compassionate to the effects often-debilitating conditions can have on their patients, and passionate about helping them find relief through medical marijuana in cases where it’s appropriate.
Reserve an evaluation with one of our doctors today, and we’ll set you up with an appointment just as soon as we’re cleared to start seeing patients. Together, you and your doctor will discuss your specific situation and condition, and whether or not medical marijuana may be right for you. You can even meet virtually with your doctor from the comfort of your home via a telemedicine appointment!