Growing evidence suggests that the immune system may play a role in the formation of developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and that using CBD for autism symptoms can be widely beneficial.
The immune system plays a crucial role in maintaining our health. It’s a network of cells, tissues, and organs that provides your body with defense against harmful invaders and helps restore you to health after illness. Can helping the immune system help relieve symptoms of ASD?
Yes – helping the immune system function better can help relieve symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.
Autism and the Immune System
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects social skills, communication, and behavior. Symptoms of ASD vary widely and range in severity. The exact cause of ASD is unknown, but research suggests that it may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
People with autism have higher levels of inflammation in their brains and bodies. They also tend to have more gut problems, which are associated with inflammation. Recent studies have found that children with autism have higher levels of immune dysregulation than typically developing children, which suggests that immune dysfunction may play a role in the development of ASD.
Research on the immune system and ASD is still in its early stages, but it is an area of active investigation. Scientists hope that by understanding the role of the immune system in ASD, they will be able to develop new treatments that can help people with this condition.
Here are some of the ways that immune dysfunction may contribute to ASD:
- Inflammation in the brain during early development: Inflammation is a normal immune response to infection or injury. However, chronic inflammation can damage cells and tissues. Studies have shown that children with ASD have higher levels of inflammation in the brain than typically developing children. This inflammation could damage nerve cells and lead to autism-like symptoms.
- Autoimmune reaction: An autoimmune reaction occurs when the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body. This can happen when the immune system becomes confused and mistakes healthy cells for foreign invaders. Studies have shown that children with ASD have higher levels of autoantibodies, which are antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues. This suggests that an autoimmune reaction may play a role in the development of ASD.
- Gut microbiota: The gut microbiota is the community of bacteria that live in the gut. These bacteria play an important role in immune function. Studies have shown that children with ASD have different gut microbiota than typically developing children. This suggests that gut microbiota may play a role in the development of ASD.
How CBD and CBG Help the Immune System
CBD and CBG are two non-intoxicating cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. These cannabinoids have been shown to have a variety of therapeutic benefits, including reducing inflammation, anxiety, and pain.
CBD and CBG can also help the immune system in a number of ways. For example, CBD can help to regulate the production of cytokines, which are proteins that play a role in inflammation. CBG can also help to improve the function of macrophages, which are cells that help to fight infection.
In addition, CBD and CBG can help to protect the body from oxidative stress, which is a condition that can damage cells and tissues. Oxidative stress is thought to play a role in a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Here are some of the ways that CBD and CBG can help the immune system:
- Reduce inflammation: CBD and CBG can help to reduce inflammation by regulating the production of cytokines. Cytokines are proteins that play a role in inflammation. When there is too much inflammation, it can damage cells and tissues.
- Improve macrophage function: Macrophages are cells that help to fight infection. CBG can help to improve the function of macrophages. This can help the body to fight off infection more effectively.
- Protect the body from oxidative stress: Oxidative stress is a condition that can damage cells and tissues. CBD and CBG can help to protect the body from oxidative stress. This can help to prevent or delay the onset of chronic diseases.
How CBD and CBG Hemp Can Help People With Autism
As well as helping relive the symptoms of ASD by reducing inflammation, CBD and CBG have been found to have numerous other benefits for people who have autism. Check out these scientific studies:
A 2018 study found that CBD was effective in reducing irritability and hyperactivity in children with autism. The study, which was published in the journal “Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders,” found that CBD was effective in reducing irritability and hyperactivity in children with autism. The study also found that CBD was well-tolerated by the children in the study.
Another study, published in 2019 in the journal “Scientific Reports”, investigated the effects of medical cannabis treatment in people with autism. The study looked at data from 188 patients with autism who had been treated with medical cannabis. The researchers found that medical cannabis was associated with significant improvements in a number of areas, including:
- Irritability
- Hyperactivity
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Social interaction
- Communication
There are also numerous studies that suggest CBD and CBG can help improve gut health. Here’s a study that shows that in the context of gastrointestinal disorders, cannabinoids have been shown to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including:
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- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Cannabinoids have been shown to be effective in reducing pain, bloating, and diarrhea in people with IBS.
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: Cannabinoids have been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation and improving symptoms in people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Cannabinoids have been shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of IBD, including pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
- Gastroparesis: Cannabinoids have been shown to be effective in improving gastric emptying in people with gastroparesis.
- Nausea and vomiting: Cannabinoids are a safe and effective treatment for nausea and vomiting, both in the context of cancer chemotherapy and other conditions.
These studies suggest that CBD and CBG hemp may be a safe and effective treatment option for people with autism. There is no cure for autism, but symptoms can be managed with the help of CBD and CBG.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is growing evidence that the immune system may play a role in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research suggests that immune dysfunction may contribute to ASD in a number of ways, including inflammation in the brain during early development, autoimmune reactions, and gut microbiota.
CBD and CBG are two non-intoxicating cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant that have been shown to have a variety of therapeutic benefits, including reducing inflammation, anxiety, and pain. These cannabinoids can also help the immune system in a number of ways, such as regulating the production of cytokines, improving the function of macrophages, and protecting the body from oxidative stress.
CBD and CBG are both safe and well-tolerated by most people. They are also non-addictive and do not have any intoxicating effects.
Additional Sources:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Immune System (2018): https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2018.00405/full
- The Role of the Immune System in Autism Spectrum Disorder (2017): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29984670/
- Immune Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of the Literature (2016): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5076197/
- The Immune System and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A New Frontier in Research (2015): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4505689/
- Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Immune System: A Review of the Literature (2014): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3946228/
