*medical cannabis helps autistic people. I do not possess an autism that you could separate from the rest of me. I AM autistic. My ENTIRE brain and experience is informed by my monotropic neurotype. Cannabis does not "help my autism" it helps me survive in a world that is inhospitable to autistics.
Female Autistic &ADHD here. Cannabis is the only medication that helps me get through the day without feeling crippling self hatred… In other words it has kept me alive. If only society didn’t judge me for it… If you are autistic and struggling, I recommend at least trying it!
Same it's the only working medication that has ever worked for me. I've literally been prescribed pretty much every medicine under the sun since I was a little kid. Nothing ever worked and only caused horrible side effects. Marijuana however doesn't have any side effects and it helps soooooo much. Also keeps me sober from xanax and alcohol which I used everyday to cope just to simply get out of bed to be able to handle the stress of every waking moment and keep friendships even.
Before I watch, my experience is that cannabis increases my openness to experience. This allows me to handle both the unexpected in life and my constant sense of the brokenness of the systems I am part of, less emotionally reactively.
Autistic 59yo transmale used off & on since '77. Legal in my state since '20. Now I budget 30mins @ a.m. to smoke or vape thc/cbd mix; I take a 5mg mixed gummy after lunch; I smoke or vape same mix after work, & take a 10mg mixed gummy 1hr before bed. Sleep is great. Dreams are great. Lucid dreaming not affected. I wake up "bright eyed & bushy tailed" @ a.m. Thanks to thc/cbd, I've come off all high-dose nsaids for arthritis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, etc; + off klonopin, + working full time since '09 lifting 2500+lbs of food @ week as a grocer. This means working w/ public, + keeping track of all the brokers, reps, calls, emails, & invoices involved in sourcing, ordering, tracking, receiving, handling out of stocks, pricing, shelving, entering price changes, + meeting margin goals, + following health dept guidelines, + meeting country of origin, ingredient & allergen labeling guidelines for every one of the 300+ items in my department. 7hrs a day, 5 days a wk, nets me roughly 18k a yr. Kinda covers me & my cat. thc/cbd rules!
It helps keep my rage in check. It calms me and even lessens ADHD/OCD symptoms (or makes them less compulsive) I can function. And people still call me a pothead. I'm not doing this out of choice.
It disgusts me that my family and this society has demonized me throughout my life for smoking. Meanwhile, they were behaving like demons to each other and me lol. Dropped the demons and still getting huge relief and joy from smoking. The entire culture is sick, being led by low IQ sociopaths and the best of us hush and mask to not get their gross egos in a vicious stir. Disgusting really.
@@Natty183 They will eventually rationalize something you do into a crime or threat and remove or control you if at all possible, if we get to adulthood without being taken or investigated it is a "christmas miracle" in reverse. (a Christmas miracle for them is you in chains and an explanation for why they never liked you that fits their expectations) We mess up their narrative because we aren't part of their theory of everything they subscribed to because it was codified in the stone age. (No, I'm not just talking about religion, all of it, all the ideals based on their sensibilities and, I believe, hating us from dealing with us (poorly) ("stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself") Ain't it grand?
75 year old here who had focal seizures all my life. But because I could mask well and got good grades in school, I was never diagnosed, just kept busy…Ive used cannabis since I was 19, and am so glad that it is a legal choice now. 🙏🏻💜🙏🏻
I feel like occasional cannabis usage is like a "reset" for me. It helps with overstimulation in that way. Secondly, when I am high I feel "more autistic" in a good way. I stim more, etc. It's very therapeutic. Thirdly, on a non-impairing low dose I feel much more capable of socializing and just going out in general. Finally, even while sober I feel better at socializing in the last few years. I have no idea why, but I have taken to crediting cannabis.
I'm not diagnosed with autism but am diagnosed with OCD and PTSD. Cannabis helps me enormously. I always thought it was an addiction but I went 10 years without it and was so much worse off for it. My doctors won't prescribe me THC but have prescribed CBD because I had a long psychotic episode 20 years ago. I don't have anything like that anymore, I think my psychosis was mostly related to my inability to make sense of the world with such a developmental disorder I grew up with. I need THC so I do it illegally now. I need to get out of this situation too, it is causing me to have problems because I'm always arguing with my Mum who is my landlord. I bought a van to hit the road and live in my own 'safe space'. I'm really looking forward to it.
Thank you for posting such an informative video. We are in California and we have given our son cbd with thc on and off since he was 8 due to his intense aggression , tantrums, screaming in the middle of the night … you name it … you are right.. what a toll it can be on the family and couple relationship. Luckily we have been able to be open enough to try this. I wish some of the doctors here giving us his medical recommendation new more about autism. We started with 18:1 cbd thc, and then went to 8:1, 4:1 and at almost 12 had to change it to 1:1. There were months he was great without it due to what he learned in ABA but once puberty really started onsetting at almost 11 it all went out the door and had to restart the cannibas program as it was almost over night. Luckily we have this option here. He is very receptive, happy, alot less anxious, although nonverbal can still request “he wants pancakes,” or “sticker”’LOL… no more screaming, he sleeps well, maybe 1 tantrum a month with a quick redirect in less than 1 minute. It’s beautiful. Thank you for your work ❤
Cannabis has helped me through most of my life. I can't take antidepressants and i have an eating disorder too. It also helps with anxiety, depression and my ptsd. It also makes it easier for me to work. I honestly dont know what I'd do without it. It has saved my life more than a few times. ASD and ADHD here.
I’m so stuck in the middle I’ve known since I was a kid something was wrong with me and a few years ago I got diagnosed with ASD and ADHD I live in the uk I’m 31 and cannabis is so demonised it makes me feel great I bond better with my son I’m less irritable more talkative and I can actually settle down at night and relax rather then my brain going at 1009mph I want to continue using for how it makes me feel and how it makes me better for my son but I’m always made to feel like a drug addict
@tadd2036 - Thank you for sharing your experience with our community. We know societal perception can really impact a patient's experience. I hope it works out for you!
The UK has a medical cannabis program Try looking up a company called Mamedica, they have many good reports Ignore the mentally ill societal outlook on cannabis, this is a medicine that literally reversed my autism I was unable to function as a child/teen I cannot recommend the use of cannabis enough, it is miraculous It has given me the ability to lead a normal life, whatever that means
It’s wild and validating how this is actually as helpful as I felt it was when I was a younger-except now I live where it’s legal and I was finally diagnosed with ASD in my late thirties. 🎉❤
ADHD and I haven’t slowed in 51 years. What I’ve learned (about me) is that less physical activity with age only creates more activity in the head. I work for myself and by myself, I can move freely and sort-of efficiently that way (design-build). I took the plunge at 30 and started to get things somewhat sorted, willingly took the prescribed medications, active in doing work on my own condition. In the end, a very simple and natural solution made itself clear. Even with its benefits my step counter is ridiculous. I’m an artist that draws and makes music and all that jazz, too, no good on valioops.
recently (and very late) diagnosed autistic female and before my diagnosis i always wondered why Cannabis made me so functional, I'm lucky to live in Canada where it's very much accepted societally, and i hope this is the case for everyone in the future! If alcohol is so easily available and seen as a normal activity, why shouldn't Cannabis be viewed the same?
I’m Autistic and I have ADHD and OCD and I have severe IBS and cannabis has been a real game changer for me. I won’t eat for days if I don’t take my edibles because food makes me sick from having to fast for 20-48 hours at a time so I don’t have flare ups at work. So I don’t have that thing in my brain anymore where it says you’re hungry, you need to eat. So it helps with that. And it definitely helps me be more sociable. I don’t talk much during the day, so I go home and don’t feel like talking, so if I take my edibles, I’m more likely to want to talk.
The biggest advantage I've found with THC is that it just lowers the volume of the overstimulation, I can even enjoy some things that would normally stress me out or disgust me. Im trying to untangle the cause of my chronic fatuige and unexplained pain, and I'm coming to realise how much of my internal resources go into masking and trying to block out all the irritating sensations, because just having skin is a burden for me. The major one though, is that i can feel my body. I keep hearing from therapists that emotions have a physical element to the experience, so I've been trying to tune into those feelings. I either have a very dull physical experience or none at all (think of butterflies in your stomach, your chest filling with pride etc.). I take some THC and then suddenly its all there, i can feel all these feelings I've seen described in books or completely new ones, and my range of emotions instantly improves (or my ability to unscramble them). Even when i was chronically depressed, it allowed me to experience the emotions that were being blanketed by the gloom, which is probably the only thing that saved my life at that time, even though this is one of the use cases that is highly demonised by society.
With THC its like your autism symtomen disappear, and you can understand & express better socially, emotionally & how to interpret social social situations I truly believe autism causes everything in brain to work more intense. Emotions, thoughts,awareness, concentration, senses etc Which causes you to perceive & think from different aspects & mental confusion & severe stress in social interaction or among sensory.. Thats why for example i think its harder to understand social cues & know what to say/do.
Hello my name is corey and i have a 7 year old autistic non verbal son. Right now we are trying different meds to help with his aggression. We jus started CBD gummies 10mg 3 times a day praying it helps him.
I’m delighted your video popped up for me, and I’ve enjoyed reading all of the comments! My primary mainstream dr has been prescribing MMJ for me since 2017 when I started having hip surgeries. I’m in AZ-it’s fully legal here but medical card gets reduced taxes, access to higher doses. I love my dispensary! I paint for them, they love me. Many of us autistic folks with hEDS process meds differently and can’t take opioids. I have a CYP450 genomic report that fully justifies my non use of pharma. I think it’s helped me really land in myself softly after late diagnosis and 40 years of trauma in my family, career, hobbies, marriage, etc from not knowing, AKA traumatism. It’s helped with multiple forms of PTSD I developed. Helped me recover from vax injury. Helps with malabsorption symptoms, nausea and appetite. Reduces restless leg syndrome. I use concentrates and edibles, oils, salves. No smoky, asthma. My dog uses a strong CBD too for his joints and allergies. 💚 🌱
It helps with anxiety during transitions for me! Like going from home to work, or awake to going to bed, or inside to outside, I have some mild agoraphobia too. It helps me in every single way.
As an autistic stoner with a lotta autistic friends... yeah there uptight 95% of them could definitely stand to smoke some weed man. Lets be real just being a bit too uptight is like at least a 60% accurate description of autism. So yeah weed helps.
You sound a lot like the doctor I have been being paired with for my medical marijuana renewals. The doctor I talk to also says that he is a pediatrician and has been doing it for almost 30 years.
If you're willing to share the doctor's name you're referring to, I'd be interested to know who it is. Unfortunately, there are very few pediatricians willing to learn how to treat pediatric patients with medical cannabis.
The 4:1 ratio of men:women with ASD is simply because of misdiagnoses or missed diagnoses particularly in high masking women. We largely don’t play with trains and we usually have had to learn to look you in the eye. It’s a travesty. I appreciate your video, I have found weed to be life changing and particularly good for regulating chronic pain and extreme dissociation, but I’m also afraid to use it too often or use too much or too high a strain. Of course what you are talking about with the ratio of CBD to THC 50:1-3:1 the person may not really even get high at 30:1 or higher ratio, but if someone is self medicating you do need to be aware of weed induced psychosis especially if using more potent modern strains and be safe and monitor yourself appropriately. Weed *CAN* absolutely help autistic people. It *MAY* not be right for all autistic people (as many here are saying for themselves). But if it helps many autistic individuals (and I personally know more in my life that are helped by it than harmed) then it’s absolutely worth looking into it as possible individual treatment and absolutely needs to be studied more on a broad scale. I’d be curious to see the breakdown of ASD3, ASD2, ASD1, what autistic phenotypes are represented (make sure high masking late diagnosed women presentations are also represented for example), and what outcomes are observed during and after treatment (some benefits may only be seen after ending the treatment and realizing it was helping more than was noticed at the time). It sucks that there are so few treatments that help- it would be great to see more studies on this.
It is important to be careful when using medical cannabis and I always recommend working with a qualified medical cannabis physician when possible. I would love for more research on this as well!
I'm looking into taking medical. I was diagnosed late in life. It's gotten to the point that I'm almost always in a state of burnout. I've found a couple strains that are supposed to help. My appointment is in 2 weeks so hopefully i can get the process moving for a card.
Was misdiagnosed with generalized anxiety for years, recently diagnosed Autistic. Can definitely attest to benefits of CBD oil: lower tension, irritability and anxiety, improved sleep, reduced physical discomfort from sensory overstimulation (I can always tell it’s wearing off when my skin itches and my clothes hurt), fewer tension headaches, less easily triggered by unexpected change. No more road rage, less rage-cleaning. Not as moody/reactive. For sleep, balanced CBD/THC works best for me.
I am an old adult, starting to recognize that I am probably on this spectrum; coincidentally, I’ve also utilized cannabis for a very long time for the very reasons you stated here. So I’ve been dealing with the conflict of am I doing the right thing (according to society), especially during the decades when it was illegal, and knowing that this was actually helping me. So I’ve maintained a moderate dosage (which has worked) all of this time ❤Thank you PS (interesting note.) at some point I noticed I never got the job if I went to the interview without cannabis; so, at some point I would get frustrated with trying to do it the “correct way“ and go ahead and have some cannabis before the interview … & usually got the job or assignment. Weird right?😊
I'm not autistic (i don't think i am but lots of people do) but i am adhd and I've smoked the marihuana every day for years and most people wouldn't even know it, i think for some people it's a huge detriment and to others it's just the baseline i need this to work hard enough to not be homeless. Case by case, some people just shouldn't habitually partake.
The stuff is illegal here, so I'd have to hop across to the next country. Getting a proper individual approach by a doctor would be difficult. Can this be done by oneself, and if so, what is a safe approach?
Hi - Hoping you can make this happen for yourself. If it would be helpful, I do educational consults for people who are unable to be my patients. If you are interested, please reach out through my website: drdavidmd.com/
Without cannabis I cannot walk or talk. My injured leg just won't behave without cannabis, it keeps cramping and failing. Society's hate gave autistic me very severe ptsd. Constant flashbacks, bring terror, rage and silence. But if I vape just before bed every night my life works. The dishes get done, bill's paid in time, never no drama. But here in Sweden the view on cannabis is very barbaric and cruel. My tribe is trampled and abandonded by cookie cutter classrooms and a condescending health scare. So, in order to survive the damages caused by society, I have to act anti-society - and will be punished if found. This is why we can be oh, so touchy about what words you use. We have been beaten down for so long, and suffered wo much. If anyone ever is willing to listen - they will hear a lot. It's sometimes a bit unfair, the way the first person welcoming our voices can be knocked over a bit. If you are that person, please keep in mind that what matters are your choices. When you choose to learn, it doesn't matter much how much you know on day one.
Just be careful, I’m autistic and weed (even in very small amounts) absolutely destroys my ability to be productive. It also messes up my sleep (makes me very sleepy & sleep more, but my sleep is not restful) I also have friends who’ve had “medical marijuana” or self medicated and they WAY overuse it I am sure it's helpful for some in the correct doses, but I feel exploring these nuances is critical
I wonder if it also works by restoring the microbiome among other mind altering functions? I know L reuteri, an important probiotic from breastmilk often missing in autism helps with social phobia and I know thc helps restore the microbiome.
Not saying don’t use it if its something that helps you, but I have to say that I know about 10 people who smoke a lot of cannabis, and 4 of them have had psychosis since starting.
I am sorry to hear this. While it doesn't help everyone, I am curious if you were working with a specialized medical cannabis physician who knew what they were doing?
@@florencia5891 Sorry to hear that. If you are interested, I offer educational consults during which I can learn about your circumstances and share my approach. If you want to learn more, you can find information here - drdavidmd.com/.
It increases my flexibility to change. I also have adhd too and when distracted feel less tense about it. Not sure it helps or hurts with recognition of social cues.
I wonder if the people that did not show an improvement may have been feeling more comfortable to be able to unmask and not feel the pressure to conform to societal demands.
Is there a study of how it affects people with both Autism, and inattentive type ADHD, or do the studies already factor those individuals as well as the people with just ASD? Do they just use the strains or do they use the more stimulant strains like Sativa? I've avoided drugs and alcohol most of my life that were depressants as I'm already tired as it is and don;t need help sleeping, and thiose knock me out. I just learned about Sativa being a stimulant recently. I also Just moved out of FL otherwise would consider taking part in the study.
My Problem with this is that 20 People is not a good study. And normally you would need a group that takes the placebo too. Also a 5 year old a 15 year old a 25 and a 50 year old person all could react differently to Cannabis. Tbh. i hope it helps but we dont really have scientific evidence.
As a person with autism, the problem I see when using cannabis is the rebound effect. Essentially when you don’t have it or don’t use it your symptoms that you’re controlling with it get worse. Thus creates dependency. In my opinion, it would be better used as an intermediate way to get a person to baseline to learn the skills that it takes to manage the autism. A way to slow them down and give them more information that they can use so to speak. Using it regularly, I have found in myself and other people I’ve known with autism can create other long-term problems.
Nah, i have autism and ADHD, weed makes me feel agitated and a sense of impending af and ive tried with a prescriber various strains, methods and quantities. Its impossible for me to be productive on it as everything suddenly becomes an overwhelming trial. I wish videos like this weren't so all 'this is good' as it puts people who find weed not working for them in a bad place. Good for you if it works for you but not everyone has the same experience at all.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sorry the video came across that way. While I've had a lot of patients experience success treating symptoms with medical cannabis, I know it isn't effective for everyone. I am sorry it's not something you have had success with, and I hope you are finding relief in other ways.
I read about ten years ago, that a study had been done (I forgot by who), and it found that, at least the CBD type we use now, needs some THC to „activate“ it, so to speak. I’ve found this to be true in my experience, but there are more types that are being researched, and every one is different. Good luck!
A lot of cannabis positive responses here. As a dual diagnosis ASD & ADHDer i gotta say its exactly the opposite for me. Cannabis is poison for me, makes everything worse and is a deeply unpleasant disorientating nauseating experience.
I'm so sorry to hear this. I know it doesn't work for everyone, nothing does. If you are willing to share, were you working with a qualified medical cannabis physician who had expertise in this area?
Hi! Please reach out to my staff via my educational consultation website - drdavidmd.com/ and they will help explain options based on where you live. Thank you!
*medical cannabis helps autistic people. I do not possess an autism that you could separate from the rest of me. I AM autistic. My ENTIRE brain and experience is informed by my monotropic neurotype. Cannabis does not "help my autism" it helps me survive in a world that is inhospitable to autistics.
Thank you, I appreciate you sharing this with me and our community.
Exactly, and beautifully said.
Thank you. This felt like the warmest hug!
yes ❤😊this
Amen! ❤ same!
Female Autistic &ADHD here. Cannabis is the only medication that helps me get through the day without feeling crippling self hatred…
In other words it has kept me alive. If only society didn’t judge me for it…
If you are autistic and struggling, I recommend at least trying it!
This is beautiful - thank you for sharing this with our community!
Darling, autism and ADHD have nothing to do with self hatred. You could get over that permanently by figuring out what the root of it is.
@@dfpguitar Good point, that confused me too. I am autistic but don’t hate myself at all.
Same it's the only working medication that has ever worked for me. I've literally been prescribed pretty much every medicine under the sun since I was a little kid. Nothing ever worked and only caused horrible side effects. Marijuana however doesn't have any side effects and it helps soooooo much. Also keeps me sober from xanax and alcohol which I used everyday to cope just to simply get out of bed to be able to handle the stress of every waking moment and keep friendships even.
@@TalibanSkyy - glad to hear!
Before I watch, my experience is that cannabis increases my openness to experience. This allows me to handle both the unexpected in life and my constant sense of the brokenness of the systems I am part of, less emotionally reactively.
I'm literally vaping in bed, getting ready for my day. Cannabis keeps me functional.
Autistic 59yo transmale used off & on since '77.
Legal in my state since '20.
Now I budget 30mins @ a.m. to smoke or vape thc/cbd mix; I take a 5mg mixed gummy after lunch; I smoke or vape same mix after work, & take a 10mg mixed gummy 1hr before bed. Sleep is great.
Dreams are great. Lucid dreaming not affected.
I wake up "bright eyed & bushy tailed" @ a.m.
Thanks to thc/cbd, I've come off all high-dose nsaids for arthritis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, etc; + off klonopin, + working full time since '09 lifting 2500+lbs of food @ week as a grocer.
This means working w/ public, + keeping track of all the brokers, reps, calls, emails, & invoices involved in sourcing, ordering, tracking, receiving, handling out of stocks, pricing, shelving, entering price changes, + meeting margin goals, + following health dept guidelines, + meeting country of origin, ingredient & allergen labeling guidelines for every one of the 300+ items in my department.
7hrs a day, 5 days a wk, nets me roughly 18k a yr.
Kinda covers me & my cat.
thc/cbd rules!
It helps keep my rage in check. It calms me and even lessens ADHD/OCD symptoms (or makes them less compulsive)
I can function.
And people still call me a pothead.
I'm not doing this out of choice.
Cannabis being illegal is a crime itself. Psilocybins as well.
It disgusts me that my family and this society has demonized me throughout my life for smoking. Meanwhile, they were behaving like demons to each other and me lol. Dropped the demons and still getting huge relief and joy from smoking. The entire culture is sick, being led by low IQ sociopaths and the best of us hush and mask to not get their gross egos in a vicious stir. Disgusting really.
@@Natty183 They will eventually rationalize something you do into a crime or threat and remove or control you if at all possible, if we get to adulthood without being taken or investigated it is a "christmas miracle" in reverse. (a Christmas miracle for them is you in chains and an explanation for why they never liked you that fits their expectations) We mess up their narrative because we aren't part of their theory of everything they subscribed to because it was codified in the stone age. (No, I'm not just talking about religion, all of it, all the ideals based on their sensibilities and, I believe, hating us from dealing with us (poorly) ("stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself") Ain't it grand?
You sure put that eloquently @@Natty183
All because of W.R.Hearst and the power of his newspaper. Media hype isn’t new.
75 year old here who had focal seizures all my life. But because I could mask well and got good grades in school, I was never diagnosed, just kept busy…Ive used cannabis since I was 19, and am so glad that it is a legal choice now. 🙏🏻💜🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing your experience - really appreciate it!
I feel like occasional cannabis usage is like a "reset" for me. It helps with overstimulation in that way.
Secondly, when I am high I feel "more autistic" in a good way. I stim more, etc. It's very therapeutic.
Thirdly, on a non-impairing low dose I feel much more capable of socializing and just going out in general.
Finally, even while sober I feel better at socializing in the last few years. I have no idea why, but I have taken to crediting cannabis.
So glad to here this - thank you for sharing your experience!
I'm not diagnosed with autism but am diagnosed with OCD and PTSD. Cannabis helps me enormously. I always thought it was an addiction but I went 10 years without it and was so much worse off for it. My doctors won't prescribe me THC but have prescribed CBD because I had a long psychotic episode 20 years ago. I don't have anything like that anymore, I think my psychosis was mostly related to my inability to make sense of the world with such a developmental disorder I grew up with. I need THC so I do it illegally now. I need to get out of this situation too, it is causing me to have problems because I'm always arguing with my Mum who is my landlord. I bought a van to hit the road and live in my own 'safe space'. I'm really looking forward to it.
Thank you for posting such an informative video. We are in California and we have given our son cbd with thc on and off since he was 8 due to his intense aggression , tantrums, screaming in the middle of the night … you name it … you are right.. what a toll it can be on the family and couple relationship. Luckily we have been able to be open enough to try this. I wish some of the doctors here giving us his medical recommendation new more about autism. We started with 18:1 cbd thc, and then went to 8:1, 4:1 and at almost 12 had to change it to 1:1. There were months he was great without it due to what he learned in ABA but once puberty really started onsetting at almost 11 it all went out the door and had to restart the cannibas program as it was almost over night. Luckily we have this option here. He is very receptive, happy, alot less anxious, although nonverbal can still request “he wants pancakes,” or “sticker”’LOL… no more screaming, he sleeps well, maybe 1 tantrum a month with a quick redirect in less than 1 minute. It’s beautiful. Thank you for your work ❤
Cannabis has helped me through most of my life. I can't take antidepressants and i have an eating disorder too. It also helps with anxiety, depression and my ptsd. It also makes it easier for me to work. I honestly dont know what I'd do without it. It has saved my life more than a few times. ASD and ADHD here.
Thank you for sharing your success story with medical cannabis!
Sounds very familiar.
Same
Have ASD and ADHD, cannabis is the only thing I’ve found that stops my depressive issues enough to keep me functional
Thank you for sharing this - it warms my heart to hear success stories like yours!
@@DrDavidMD I guess functional isn’t the right word, but I stay alive at the least
I’m so stuck in the middle I’ve known since I was a kid something was wrong with me and a few years ago I got diagnosed with ASD and ADHD I live in the uk I’m 31 and cannabis is so demonised it makes me feel great I bond better with my son I’m less irritable more talkative and I can actually settle down at night and relax rather then my brain going at 1009mph I want to continue using for how it makes me feel and how it makes me better for my son but I’m always made to feel like a drug addict
@tadd2036 - Thank you for sharing your experience with our community. We know societal perception can really impact a patient's experience. I hope it works out for you!
The UK has a medical cannabis program
Try looking up a company called Mamedica, they have many good reports
Ignore the mentally ill societal outlook on cannabis, this is a medicine that literally reversed my autism
I was unable to function as a child/teen
I cannot recommend the use of cannabis enough, it is miraculous
It has given me the ability to lead a normal life, whatever that means
Is a private medical prescription an option for you? I have one (UK).
It’s wild and validating how this is actually as helpful as I felt it was when I was a younger-except now I live where it’s legal and I was finally diagnosed with ASD in my late thirties. 🎉❤
ADHD and I haven’t slowed in 51 years. What I’ve learned (about me) is that less physical activity with age only creates more activity in the head. I work for myself and by myself, I can move freely and sort-of efficiently that way (design-build).
I took the plunge at 30 and started to get things somewhat sorted, willingly took the prescribed medications, active in doing work on my own condition.
In the end, a very simple and natural solution made itself clear. Even with its benefits my step counter is ridiculous.
I’m an artist that draws and makes music and all that jazz, too, no good on valioops.
recently (and very late) diagnosed autistic female and before my diagnosis i always wondered why Cannabis made me so functional, I'm lucky to live in Canada where it's very much accepted societally, and i hope this is the case for everyone in the future! If alcohol is so easily available and seen as a normal activity, why shouldn't Cannabis be viewed the same?
I’m Autistic and I have ADHD and OCD and I have severe IBS and cannabis has been a real game changer for me.
I won’t eat for days if I don’t take my edibles because food makes me sick from having to fast for 20-48 hours at a time so I don’t have flare ups at work. So I don’t have that thing in my brain anymore where it says you’re hungry, you need to eat. So it helps with that.
And it definitely helps me be more sociable. I don’t talk much during the day, so I go home and don’t feel like talking, so if I take my edibles, I’m more likely to want to talk.
The biggest advantage I've found with THC is that it just lowers the volume of the overstimulation, I can even enjoy some things that would normally stress me out or disgust me. Im trying to untangle the cause of my chronic fatuige and unexplained pain, and I'm coming to realise how much of my internal resources go into masking and trying to block out all the irritating sensations, because just having skin is a burden for me.
The major one though, is that i can feel my body. I keep hearing from therapists that emotions have a physical element to the experience, so I've been trying to tune into those feelings. I either have a very dull physical experience or none at all (think of butterflies in your stomach, your chest filling with pride etc.). I take some THC and then suddenly its all there, i can feel all these feelings I've seen described in books or completely new ones, and my range of emotions instantly improves (or my ability to unscramble them). Even when i was chronically depressed, it allowed me to experience the emotions that were being blanketed by the gloom, which is probably the only thing that saved my life at that time, even though this is one of the use cases that is highly demonised by society.
Thank you for sharing this - it is good to hear you are getting support.
With THC its like your autism symtomen disappear, and you can understand & express better socially, emotionally & how to interpret social social situations
I truly believe autism causes everything in brain to work more intense. Emotions, thoughts,awareness, concentration, senses etc
Which causes you to perceive & think from different aspects & mental confusion & severe stress in social interaction or among sensory..
Thats why for example i think its harder to understand social cues & know what to say/do.
I use it. Huge difference in mind regulation. 👍🏻
Thank you for this video! You are genuinely trying to help and nothing in your word choice has been offensive.
Thank you for your kind comment. It warms my heart to get feedback like this!
Hello my name is corey and i have a 7 year old autistic non verbal son. Right now we are trying different meds to help with his aggression. We jus started CBD gummies 10mg 3 times a day praying it helps him.
Best of luck - hope it helps!
There's studies showing as little as 1mg of thc can help due to the biphasic effect!
I’m delighted your video popped up for me, and I’ve enjoyed reading all of the comments! My primary mainstream dr has been prescribing MMJ for me since 2017 when I started having hip surgeries. I’m in AZ-it’s fully legal here but medical card gets reduced taxes, access to higher doses. I love my dispensary! I paint for them, they love me.
Many of us autistic folks with hEDS process meds differently and can’t take opioids. I have a CYP450 genomic report that fully justifies my non use of pharma. I think it’s helped me really land in myself softly after late diagnosis and 40 years of trauma in my family, career, hobbies, marriage, etc from not knowing, AKA traumatism. It’s helped with multiple forms of PTSD I developed. Helped me recover from vax injury. Helps with malabsorption symptoms, nausea and appetite. Reduces restless leg syndrome. I use concentrates and edibles, oils, salves. No smoky, asthma. My dog uses a strong CBD too for his joints and allergies. 💚 🌱
So glad to hear this - thank you for sharing!
I got asd, adhd, anxiety, bp1, and ocd. I vape cannabinoids pretty much all day every day. It helps me tolerate my surroundings
It depends on the strain of cannabis. Some strains really help me, while others make it all worse.
Indica helps me. Sative makes things worse
I don't see a difference
@@lobosamhainthe whole Indica and Sativa differnciation is unscientific and outdated
@@nowonmetube I speak from personal experience
@@nowonmetubeit's not, it's based on the THC and CBD ratio
It helps with anxiety during transitions for me! Like going from home to work, or awake to going to bed, or inside to outside, I have some mild agoraphobia too. It helps me in every single way.
As an autistic stoner with a lotta autistic friends... yeah there uptight 95% of them could definitely stand to smoke some weed man. Lets be real just being a bit too uptight is like at least a 60% accurate description of autism. So yeah weed helps.
You sound a lot like the doctor I have been being paired with for my medical marijuana renewals. The doctor I talk to also says that he is a pediatrician and has been doing it for almost 30 years.
If you're willing to share the doctor's name you're referring to, I'd be interested to know who it is. Unfortunately, there are very few pediatricians willing to learn how to treat pediatric patients with medical cannabis.
The 4:1 ratio of men:women with ASD is simply because of misdiagnoses or missed diagnoses particularly in high masking women. We largely don’t play with trains and we usually have had to learn to look you in the eye. It’s a travesty.
I appreciate your video, I have found weed to be life changing and particularly good for regulating chronic pain and extreme dissociation, but I’m also afraid to use it too often or use too much or too high a strain. Of course what you are talking about with the ratio of CBD to THC 50:1-3:1 the person may not really even get high at 30:1 or higher ratio, but if someone is self medicating you do need to be aware of weed induced psychosis especially if using more potent modern strains and be safe and monitor yourself appropriately.
Weed *CAN* absolutely help autistic people. It *MAY* not be right for all autistic people (as many here are saying for themselves). But if it helps many autistic individuals (and I personally know more in my life that are helped by it than harmed) then it’s absolutely worth looking into it as possible individual treatment and absolutely needs to be studied more on a broad scale. I’d be curious to see the breakdown of ASD3, ASD2, ASD1, what autistic phenotypes are represented (make sure high masking late diagnosed women presentations are also represented for example), and what outcomes are observed during and after treatment (some benefits may only be seen after ending the treatment and realizing it was helping more than was noticed at the time). It sucks that there are so few treatments that help- it would be great to see more studies on this.
It is important to be careful when using medical cannabis and I always recommend working with a qualified medical cannabis physician when possible. I would love for more research on this as well!
I watched your last video loved and I totally relate I also have been coming .your doing great
That's awesome - thank you so much!
Thank you!!
You're so welcome!
I'm looking into taking medical. I was diagnosed late in life. It's gotten to the point that I'm almost always in a state of burnout. I've found a couple strains that are supposed to help. My appointment is in 2 weeks so hopefully i can get the process moving for a card.
Was misdiagnosed with generalized anxiety for years, recently diagnosed Autistic. Can definitely attest to benefits of CBD oil: lower tension, irritability and anxiety, improved sleep, reduced physical discomfort from sensory overstimulation (I can always tell it’s wearing off when my skin itches and my clothes hurt), fewer tension headaches, less easily triggered by unexpected change. No more road rage, less rage-cleaning. Not as moody/reactive. For sleep, balanced CBD/THC works best for me.
Music to my ears - thank you for sharing with us!
I am an old adult, starting to recognize that I am probably on this spectrum; coincidentally, I’ve also utilized cannabis for a very long time for the very reasons you stated here. So I’ve been dealing with the conflict of am I doing the right thing (according to society), especially during the decades when it was illegal, and knowing that this was actually helping me. So I’ve maintained a moderate dosage (which has worked) all of this time
❤Thank you
PS (interesting note.) at some point I noticed I never got the job if I went to the interview without cannabis; so, at some point I would get frustrated with trying to do it the “correct way“ and go ahead and have some cannabis before the interview … & usually got the job or assignment.
Weird right?😊
So glad to hear it is helping bring improvements to you!
I'm not autistic (i don't think i am but lots of people do) but i am adhd and I've smoked the marihuana every day for years and most people wouldn't even know it, i think for some people it's a huge detriment and to others it's just the baseline i need this to work hard enough to not be homeless. Case by case, some people just shouldn't habitually partake.
I definitely agree that it varies by person - everyone is unique!
The stuff is illegal here, so I'd have to hop across to the next country. Getting a proper individual approach by a doctor would be difficult. Can this be done by oneself, and if so, what is a safe approach?
Hi - Hoping you can make this happen for yourself. If it would be helpful, I do educational consults for people who are unable to be my patients. If you are interested, please reach out through my website: drdavidmd.com/
Without cannabis I cannot walk or talk. My injured leg just won't behave without cannabis, it keeps cramping and failing. Society's hate gave autistic me very severe ptsd. Constant flashbacks, bring terror, rage and silence. But if I vape just before bed every night my life works. The dishes get done, bill's paid in time, never no drama.
But here in Sweden the view on cannabis is very barbaric and cruel. My tribe is trampled and abandonded by cookie cutter classrooms and a condescending health scare.
So, in order to survive the damages caused by society, I have to act anti-society - and will be punished if found.
This is why we can be oh, so touchy about what words you use. We have been beaten down for so long, and suffered wo much. If anyone ever is willing to listen - they will hear a lot. It's sometimes a bit unfair, the way the first person welcoming our voices can be knocked over a bit. If you are that person, please keep in mind that what matters are your choices. When you choose to learn, it doesn't matter much how much you know on day one.
I am very glad to hear cannabis is helping you, and genuinely appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Just be careful, I’m autistic and weed (even in very small amounts) absolutely destroys my ability to be productive.
It also messes up my sleep (makes me very sleepy & sleep more, but my sleep is not restful)
I also have friends who’ve had “medical marijuana” or self medicated and they WAY overuse it
I am sure it's helpful for some in the correct doses, but I feel exploring these nuances is critical
I wonder if it also works by restoring the microbiome among other mind altering functions? I know L reuteri, an important probiotic from breastmilk often missing in autism helps with social phobia and I know thc helps restore the microbiome.
Not saying don’t use it if its something that helps you, but I have to say that I know about 10 people who smoke a lot of cannabis, and 4 of them have had psychosis since starting.
Yo! I’m off to get my card!
I have adhd, not medicated, struggle with severe anxiety. Tried cannabis a few times, and sadly felt no difference whatsoever.
I am sorry to hear this. While it doesn't help everyone, I am curious if you were working with a specialized medical cannabis physician who knew what they were doing?
@@DrDavidMD ,no, just tried some from a friend who grows. There's no specialists yet in my country because it's still in legalization process.
@@florencia5891 Sorry to hear that. If you are interested, I offer educational consults during which I can learn about your circumstances and share my approach. If you want to learn more, you can find information here - drdavidmd.com/.
It increases my flexibility to change. I also have adhd too and when distracted feel less tense about it. Not sure it helps or hurts with recognition of social cues.
I wonder if the people that did not show an improvement may have been feeling more comfortable to be able to unmask and not feel the pressure to conform to societal demands.
And damn that outro music scared the **** out of me!
lol I read your comment with 3 minutes to go in the video. Thanks for the heads up!
Is there a study of how it affects people with both Autism, and inattentive type ADHD, or do the studies already factor those individuals as well as the people with just ASD? Do they just use the strains or do they use the more stimulant strains like Sativa? I've avoided drugs and alcohol most of my life that were depressants as I'm already tired as it is and don;t need help sleeping, and thiose knock me out. I just learned about Sativa being a stimulant recently.
I also Just moved out of FL otherwise would consider taking part in the study.
I would be really curious to know if part of the benefits might be helping autistic people mask less or have more choice for when we mask.
That would definitely make for an interesting social-psychology study!
My Problem with this is that 20 People is not a good study.
And normally you would need a group that takes the placebo too.
Also a 5 year old a 15 year old a 25 and a 50 year old person all could react differently to Cannabis.
Tbh. i hope it helps but we dont really have scientific evidence.
As a person with autism, the problem I see when using cannabis is the rebound effect. Essentially when you don’t have it or don’t use it your symptoms that you’re controlling with it get worse. Thus creates dependency. In my opinion, it would be better used as an intermediate way to get a person to baseline to learn the skills that it takes to manage the autism. A way to slow them down and give them more information that they can use so to speak. Using it regularly, I have found in myself and other people I’ve known with autism can create other long-term problems.
Nah, i have autism and ADHD, weed makes me feel agitated and a sense of impending af and ive tried with a prescriber various strains, methods and quantities. Its impossible for me to be productive on it as everything suddenly becomes an overwhelming trial.
I wish videos like this weren't so all 'this is good' as it puts people who find weed not working for them in a bad place.
Good for you if it works for you but not everyone has the same experience at all.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sorry the video came across that way. While I've had a lot of patients experience success treating symptoms with medical cannabis, I know it isn't effective for everyone. I am sorry it's not something you have had success with, and I hope you are finding relief in other ways.
"weed makes me feel agitated and a sense of impending af" = Too much unresolved/repressed trauma in your subconscious
What about the after effects of depression caused by cannabis use?
I haven’t heard of this ad a common effect with moderate use. What age group and what method of use?
It might work. Austral just means south, like the aurora australis. You have to say mental health if the bobbies pull over your bicycle.
Would cbd work as well as thc?
@Heavenlyartdolls
Hi - Every patient responds differently. Some can get the needed benefit from non-THC cannabinoids, yet others need add THC.
I read about ten years ago, that a study had been done (I forgot by who), and it found that, at least the CBD type we use now, needs some THC to „activate“ it, so to speak. I’ve found this to be true in my experience, but there are more types that are being researched, and every one is different. Good luck!
True
A lot of cannabis positive responses here. As a dual diagnosis ASD & ADHDer i gotta say its exactly the opposite for me. Cannabis is poison for me, makes everything worse and is a deeply unpleasant disorientating nauseating experience.
I'm so sorry to hear this. I know it doesn't work for everyone, nothing does. If you are willing to share, were you working with a qualified medical cannabis physician who had expertise in this area?
It just makes me high af..
There is a yin for every yang.
It should have gotten legal for only medical reasons. People are self diagnosed and self medicating
Now a do¢tor just like the one on TV!
Hey do you have a contact number for your office looking to get help in educated to help son
Hi! Please reach out to my staff via my educational consultation website - drdavidmd.com/ and they will help explain options based on where you live. Thank you!