{"id":3167,"date":"2021-12-20T19:31:42","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T19:31:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/wp-home\/?p=188910"},"modified":"2021-12-20T19:31:42","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T19:31:42","slug":"dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=3167","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Sanjay Gupta adds to chorus of cannabis research on autism in 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>  <title>Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Research on cannabis for autism is accelerating &#8211; Leafly<\/title>     <!-- This is Index Exchange, a script\/\/3rd-party integration that interjects GAM. It needs to be 'ahead' of GTM in the DOM, which comes from Cephalopod. GTM loads GAM. This script needs to setup it's interjection stuff before GAM loads. --> <!-- End Index Exchange --> <!-- Quotes = strings--><!-- No quotes = boolean-->\t   <!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v17.5 (Yoast SEO v17.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->                  <!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. --> <\/p>\n<p> <!-- BEGIN Sailthru Horizon Meta Information --><\/p>\n<p><!-- END Sailthru Horizon Meta Information -->  <!-- Google Publisher Tag --> <!-- End Google Publisher Tag --> <!-- Google Tag Manager --> <!-- End Google Tag Manager --> <!-- Chartbeat --> <!-- End Chartbeat --><br \/>\n <!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->   <\/p>\n<div id=\"copy_clipboard_success\" class=\"fixed top-0 left-0 right-0\">\n<div class=\"bg-white p-lg container mt-xl flex justify-between elevation-low rounded\"> <span class=\"flex items-center\">     <span class=\"ml-md\">Link copied to your clipboard<\/span> <\/span> <button id=\"copy_clipboard_close_btn\">    <\/button> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->   <title>Leafly<\/title>     <title>Leafly \u00ae<\/title>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              <title>Loading\u2026<\/title>                <\/p>\n<div class=\"bg-white fixed flex hidden inset-0 items-start md:h-auto md:items-center overflow-auto\" id=\"age-gate-container\">\n<div class=\"bg-white md:h-auto mx-auto p-lg text-sm w-full\" id=\"age-gate\">\n<p><label for=\"select-country\">Where are you from?<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"age-gate__info\">\n<p><button class=\"button\" data-testid=\"age-gate-no-button\" id=\"tou-cancel\">no<\/button><button class=\"button ml-md\" data-testid=\"age-gate-yes-button\" id=\"tou-continue\">yes<\/button><\/p>\n<p><label class=\"checkbox__label my-xl\"><span class=\"text-xs\" id=\"remember-user-label\">Remember me for 30 days. <br \/>I confirm that this is not a shared device.<\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<p class=\"error error--underage hidden\">Darn! You&#8217;re not old enough to use Leafly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"hidden age-gate__loading\">Redirecting you to<span class=\"redirect-domain\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-xs mt-auto\">By accessing this site, you accept<br \/>\nthe <a class=\"py-xl\" data-testid=\"tou-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/info\/terms-of-use\">Terms of Use<\/a><br \/>\nand <a class=\"py-xl\" data-testid=\"pp-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/info\/privacy-policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container my-xl\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col md:col-9\" id=\"article-content\">\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">An autism diagnosis can feel life-shattering for the parents\u2014a neurodevelopmental disorder that\u2019s both incurable and often tough to treat.<\/p>\n<p>Many parents of kids with autism spectrum disorders report compounds in cannabis can sometimes help. But exactly how cannabinoids can help, and how to use them remains unclear\u201a given the US\u2019 century-long research blockade on \u2018marijuana.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>2021 saw some big advances in both research and visibility for this alternative treatment\u2014from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/videos\/health\/2021\/12\/17\/weed-6-ezra-gupta-special-report-sot.cnn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a CNN special on Sunday<\/a>, to a clinicians\u2019 conference in November that relayed reems of new research.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-autism-incurable-rising-a-cannabis-therapy-target\">Autism\u2014incurable, rising, a cannabis therapy target<\/h2>\n<p>Five key things to know:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>ASD or \u2018Autism Spectrum Disorder\u2019 presents as a wide array of behaviors from mild to severe with cognitive deficits in things like talking, eye-contact, and\/or repetitive behaviors.<\/li>\n<li>Its prevalence is now at <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/health\/2021\/12\/07\/cdc-autism-diagnosis-rate-children\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 in 44 eight-year-olds<\/a><\/span> in the US. It\u2019s as high as 1 in 26 in California\u2014where screening and robust services may have driven up diagnoses, the Washington Post reports.<\/li>\n<li>\u201cAdvanced parental age (particularly paternal age) has been identified as one of the most important risk factors of autism,\u201d researchers have concluded. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34440392\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span>Mutations in over 100 genes<\/span><\/a> controlling neurodevelopment seem to lead to malfunctional nervous systems in sufferers.<\/li>\n<li>In some cases, the body\u2019s nervous signalling system\u2014the endocannabinoid system\u2014seems to be misfiring. Since cannabis changes how the endocannabinoid system works, ASD sufferers can benefit, case reports indicate.<\/li>\n<li>That\u2019s important\u2014since there are <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34432543\/\">no FDA-approved drugs<\/a> for core ASD symptoms, and only two for irritability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"h-dr-sanjay-gupta-takes-a-look\">Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a look<\/h2>\n<p>One big step for cannabis\u2019 visibility as a treatment for autism and its symptoms was the recent CNN special with Dr. Sanjay Gupta MD, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2021\/12\/19\/health\/autism-medical-marijuana-cbd-weed-documentary\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>WEED 6: Cannabis and Autism<\/em><\/a>, which aired Sunday, December 19th.<\/p>\n<p>In the special, Dr. Gupta interviewed several families who found \u201cmiraculous\u201d success with cannabis for their child\u2019s autism symptoms. Researchers, doctors, autistic patients, and their families detailed how life-changing cannabis can be for those with ASD.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote is-style-solid-color\">\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re seeing some pretty impressive changes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Dr. Doris Trauner, Professor of Neuroscience and Pediatrics at UC San Diego<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re seeing some pretty impressive changes,\u201d said Dr. Doris Trauner, Professor of Neuroscience and Pediatrics at UC San Diego.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Trauner said some autistic kids\u2019 aggression has \u201cgone away.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" alt class=\"wp-image-188925 has-ll lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>Weed 6 premiered Sunday. (CNN)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI mean gone away,\u201d Dr. Trauner said. \u201cA lot of the kids are more social.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fourteen states allow medical cannabis for severe autism, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/videos\/health\/2021\/12\/17\/gupta-weed-6-marijuana-and-autism-dnt-newday-vpx.cnn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr. Gupta noted<\/a>. Sometimes cannabis works for chronic, intractable, autism symptoms like self-injury.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese parents have tried everything\u2014including powerful psychotropic drugs. \u2026 It\u2019s heartbreaking. [With cannabis], these families have found something they think works.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Gupta has shifted the cultural dialog \u2014beginning with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2013\/08\/07\/health\/charlotte-child-medical-marijuana\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WEED<\/a>, their original cannabis special that highlighted the journey of children with epilepsy finding great benefit from CBD. Massive mainstream viewership promises to bring similar attention to cannabis\u2019 potential benefits for autism.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" alt=\"Cannabis research for autism symptoms has moved into the double-blind, placebo-controlled phase of study, Dr. Sanjay Gupta relates. (CNN)\" class=\"wp-image-188922 has-ll lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-2.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-2.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-2.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-2.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>Cannabis research for autism symptoms has moved into the double-blind, placebo-controlled phase of study, Dr. Sanjay Gupta relates. (CNN)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The special is currently available on-demand via cable\/satellite systems, CNNgo platforms and CNN mobile apps.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-society-of-cannabis-clinicians-confers-digitally\">Society of Cannabis Clinicians confers digitally<\/h2>\n<p>Cannabis clinicians that actually treat autistic kids also collaborated like never before in the digital conference <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cannabisclinicians.org\/event\/autism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Navigating The Complexities of Autism &amp; Cannabis: Facts vs. Myths<\/a> Nov. 28. <em>The Society of Cannabis Clinicians<\/em> nonprofit brought together eight doctors and parents of autistic children to review research and outline treatments that were working.<\/p>\n<p>During the session, many doctors (as well as two parents of autistic patients) spoke about the success they were seeing using cannabis for autism\u2014detailing particular cannabinoid treatments that worked well.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"h-thc-vs-cbd-for-autism\">THC vs CBD for autism<\/h3>\n<p>Doctors reported high levels of real-world success with THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis. By contrast, most cannabinoid research on autism tends to focus on CBD. That\u2019s because American medicine remains wary of THC, cannabis clinicians say.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe literature is far behind what we are doing with patients\u201d explained Dr. Bonni Goldstein MD, during the conference. \u201cI think part of that is still the difficulty around accepting that cannabis will help these children\u201d she added, explaining that many still fear the side effects of THC.<\/p>\n<p>But Goldstein and others shared that their autistic patients using THC are doing well. \u201cMost of us do not see any significant side effects.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Justin Sulak also lauded THC\u2019s benefits for autistic patients, explaining that THC may be the best way to account for the neurochemical deficiencies seen in autistic patients. Specifically, the body\u2019s \u2018bliss\u2019 molecule anandamide. THC works similarly to anandamide.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"453\" alt=\"Medical patients use products like California licensed brand 'Care By Design' offers specific ratios of CBD:THC. (Courtesy Care by Design)\" class=\"wp-image-188924 has-ll lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-3.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-3.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-3.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-3.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>Medical patients use products like California licensed brand \u2018Care By Design,\u2019 which offers specific ratios of CBD to THC. (Courtesy Care by Design)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cMaybe CBD could be used to simulate anandamide, but I think THC is going to be the most useful tool. So if someone has that deficiency, so to speak, it makes sense to treat with THC.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Still, while THC was highlighted, doctors shared that a variety of different cannabinoids\u2014including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/news\/health\/research-cbd-autism-therapy-promising-results\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CBD<\/a>, CBDA, THCA, and CBG \u2014all seemed to offer beneficial effects for autistic patients.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"h-cannabis-for-autism-research-rounded-up\">Cannabis for autism research rounded up<\/h3>\n<p>Doctors also highlighted the many studies on cannabinoids for ASD in 2021\u2014another big win.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Patricia Frye, MD, the headliner for the conference, explained <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/news\/health\/autism-and-cannabis-heres-what-the-science-says\">research<\/a> dates to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.liebertpub.com\/doi\/full\/10.1089\/can.2015.0008\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2016<\/a>, when a study concluded enhancing anandamide could help with autism. But research interest grew in the last few years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn 2021\u2026we have more and more preclinical and observational data, looking specifically at the risks and benefits of cannabis and cannabinoids in treating both core and coexisting conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A dozen new studies looked at cannabis\u2019 benefits for autism, making 2021 a great year of progress.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"h-cannabis-decreased-biomarkers-of-harms\">Cannabis decreased biomarkers of harms<\/h4>\n<p>This November, Dr. Bonni Goldstein published <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34874191\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new research<\/a> showing cannabis cut levels of biomarkers for nerve-swelling, aggressiveness, and pain. Autistic patients\u2019 abnormally high biomarkers came back into normal ranges after a year of treatment, Dr. Goldstein concludes.<\/p>\n<p>These shifts in biomarkers correlated to improved behavior, according to reports from parents of autistic patients.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" alt class=\"wp-image-188917 has-ll lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-4.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-4.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-4.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021-4.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>Medical Cannabis Expert and Physician Dr. Bonni Goldstein<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Dr. Goldstein says these biomarker tests could help measure the effectiveness of cannabinoid treatments for autism.<\/p>\n<p>2022 promises to see even more advances in our understanding of how to treat autism. For some of the estimated 75 million people with ASD in the world\u2014the answers could be life-changing.<\/p>\n<h2>Cannabinoids for autism\u2014Key research<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34874191\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cannabis-Responsive Biomarkers: A Pharmacometabolomics-Based Application to Evaluate the Impact of Medical Cannabis Treatment on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder<\/a><\/span>; Cannabis and cannabinoid research; 2021; \u201cbiomarkers shifted toward the mean after [cannabis] treatment and can potentially quantify benefit at the metabolic level. These changes appear to be similar to the trend described in behavior surveys.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/molecularautism.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s13229-021-00420-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cannabinoid treatment for autism: a proof-of-concept randomized trial<\/a><\/span>; Molecular Autism; 2021; Disruptive behavior \u2026 was either \u201cmuch or very much improved\u201d in 49% [of patients] on whole-plant extract (20:1 CBD:THC tincture); \u201cFurther testing of cannabinoids in ASD is recommended.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34432543\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Safety and Efficacy of Medical Cannabis in Autism Spectrum Disorder Compared with Commonly Used Medications<\/a><\/span>; Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research; 2021; \u201cCBD-rich medical cannabis seems to be an effective, tolerable, and relatively safe option for many symptoms associated with ASD, however, the long-term safety is unknown at this time.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32825313\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span>Cannabinoids for people with ASD: a systematic review of published and ongoing studies<\/span><\/a>; Brain Science; 2020; \u201cThe findings were promising, as cannabinoids appeared to improve some ASD-associated symptoms, such as problem behaviors, sleep problems, and hyperactivity, with limited cardiac and metabolic side effects.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-018-37570-y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Real life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism: Analysis of Safety and Efficacy<\/a><\/span>; Nature; 2019; 30% of patients reported \u201csignificant improvement\u201d on CBD+THC; \u201cCannabis in ASD patients appears to be well tolerated, safe and effective option to relieve symptoms associated with ASD.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30728928\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lower circulating endocannabinoid levels in children with autism spectrum disorder<\/a><\/span>. Molecular Autism; 2019<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30382443\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span>Brief Report: Cannabidiol-rich cannabis in children with autism spectrum disorder and severe behavioral problems-a retrospective feasibility study<\/span><\/a>; Journal of Autism Developmental Disorder; 2019; \u201cFollowing the cannabis treatment, behavioral outbreaks were much improved or very much improved in 61% of patients.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31736860\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Effects of CBD-enriched cannabis sativa extract on autism spectrum disorder symptoms: an observational study of 18 participants undergoing compassionate use<\/a><\/span>; Frontiers of Neurology; 2019; \u201c\u200b\u200bThe results reported here are very promising and indicate that CBD-enriched [cannabis sativa extract] may ameliorate multiple ASD symptoms even in non-epileptic patients, with substantial increase in life quality for both ASD patients and caretakers.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30687090\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oral cannabidiol use in children with autism spectrum disorder to treat related symptoms and co-morbidities<\/a><\/span>; Frontiers in Pharmacology; 2018; \u201cParents\u2019 reports suggest that cannabidiol may improve ASD comorbidity symptoms; however, the long-term effects should be evaluated in large scale studies.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/molecularautism.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s13229-018-0203-y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Plasma anandamide concentrations are lower in children with autism spectrum disorder<\/a><\/span>. Molecular Autism; 2018; \u201cthese data suggest that impaired anandamide signaling may be involved in the pathophysiology of ASD.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"author-box\" class=\"p-lg my-xxl bg-white rounded border border-light-grey elevation-low\">\n<div class=\"mb-lg\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021.jpg\" alt=\"Emily Earlenbaugh's Bio Image\" class=\"lazyload inline-block mr-md rounded-full border border-light-grey\"> <\/p>\n<p>Emily Earlenbaugh<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"text-sm\">Dr. Emily Earlenbaugh is a cannabis writer and educator. She is the Director of Education for Mindful Cannabis Consulting, where she teaches patients how to find the cannabis options that work best for them. She regularly writes about cannabis science and culture for publications like Cannabis Now Magazine, SF Chronicle\u2019s GreenState, HelloMD, and Big Buds Magazine. Emily has a doctorate in philosophy of science from UC Davis.<\/p>\n<p> <a class=\"text-sm font-bold underline text-green\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/news\/author\/emily-earlenbaugh\">View Emily Earlenbaugh&#8217;s articles<\/a> <\/div>\n<div class=\"leafly-sailthru-signup p-lg my-xl bg-white rounded elevation-low border border-light-grey\">\n<p class=\"text-xs pt-lg\">By submitting this form, you will be subscribed to news and promotional emails from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\">Leafly<\/a> and you agree to Leafly&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/company\/tos\">Terms of Service<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/company\/privacy-policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. You can unsubscribe from Leafly email messages anytime.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- Chartbeat --> <!-- End Chartbeat -->  <!--\nPerformance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: https:\/\/www.boldgrid.com\/w3-total-cache\/ Served from: _ @ 2021-12-20 19:34:33 by W3 Total Cache\n--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Research on cannabis for autism is accelerating &#8211; Leafly Link copied to your clipboard Leafly Leafly \u00ae Loading\u2026 Where are you from? noyes Remember me for 30 days. I confirm that this is not a shared device. Darn! You&#8217;re not old enough to use Leafly. Redirecting you to By accessing this site, you accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. An autism diagnosis can feel life-shattering for the parents\u2014a neurodevelopmental disorder that\u2019s both incurable and often tough to treat. Many parents of kids with autism spectrum disorders report compounds in cannabis can sometimes help. But exactly&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3168,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marijuana_information"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dr-sanjay-gupta-adds-to-chorus-of-cannabis-research-on-autism-in-2021.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3167\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}