Father Credits CBD Oil With Boosting Autistic Sons Quality of Life

• Posted on 14 April 2019
• 0

Since using CBD oil, Lloyd said Madison had started eating new foods, was more social, made eye-contact more frequently and communicated directly.

The father of an autistic teenager says cannabidiol oil has opened up a new world for his son. 

There has been little scientific research into whether cannabidiol (CBD) is beneficial for people with autism but Nelson father Lloyd Morgan started adding a few drops to son Madison's dinner after reading hemp extract could benefit those with autism.

Thirteen-year-old Madison rarely communicated directly with his father, was not interested in socialising with other kids or doing physical activities. 

Since using CBD oil, Lloyd said Madison had started eating new foods, was more social, made eye-contact more frequently and communicated directly.

"I was just in shock, this was a 90 per cent difference in any behaviour in him and it blew my mind." 

CBD is found in the seeds, stalk, and flowers of cannabis plants — including hemp and marijuana. It contains no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives the high sensation.

Altogether Autism national manager Catherine Trezona said there was little research into the efficacy or risks associated with the use of medicinal cannabis in those with autism. 

"We certainly have got anecdotal information that it does seem to work well, particularly in kids with severe disabilities and the benefits for each family seem to be that there are little or no side effects.

"(But) the count is still out ... we certainly wouldn't want to be invalidating this experience of this family where they are finding it really effective."

Lloyd was sent a bottle from a friend in Australia and started giving Madison several drops once a day.

He planned to ask his GP for a prescription for Madison.

Since September 2017, doctors have been able to prescribe CBD products without needing approval from the Health Minister. After the medicinal cannabis bill was passed in 2018, people with a prescription were able to import CBD products for personal use.

Police senior prosecutor, Sergeant Graeme Eden,said being in possession of CBD would likely be a breach of the Medicines Act for having a prescription medicine without a prescription, which carried a maximum penalty of three months prison or a $500 fine. 

Lloyd said it was worth the risk. 

An Israeli study found cannabis oil was an effective remedy for autism spectrum disorder with few side effects. Many of the symptoms, including seizures, tics, depression, restlessness and tantrums were diminished in children after receiving cannabis oil.

Study author Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider​ said more than 80 per cent of the parents reported significant or moderate improvement in their child. 

General practitioner Dr Graham Loveridge said while CBD was very useful for some conditions, there was a lack of scientific evidence and it was "certainly not a panacea for all ills".

"If something is powerful enough to be effective, it is also going to be powerful enough to cause problems. You can't have something that is really potent without it also having the potential for some side effects."