O USO DA CANNABIS MEDICINAL PARA TRATAMENTO DO TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO AUTISTA INFANTIL

Abstract

neurodevelopmental disorder involving deficits in communication and social interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors.Although the number of children diagnosed with ASD has increased, there is still no effective treatment for the disorder. This research aims to study the efficacy of Medical Cannabis Sativa in treating childhood autism across different levels of severity. The present study is a bibliographic review based on the analysis of international scientific articles from the PubMed database, covering the period from 2017 to 2024. A total of 80 articles were identified, of which only 12 were included. According to studies carried out, Cannabis treatment, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and the combination of CBD with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), modulates the endocannabinoid system, showing therapeutic potential for children with ASD who exhibit symptoms resistant to conventional treatment. The results demonstrate modest, but significant improvements in symptoms such as behavior, cognition, and social interaction. The safety profile of medical Cannabis appears relatively favorable, with side effects such as drowsiness and reduced appetite generally being mild. In conclusion, while controversies remain and further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved and determine optimal dosages, findings suggest that Cannabis may serve as an effective therapeutic alternative for a significant number of children with ASD.