It's a me problem. I'm 20 and I want to try it for autism.

  • KrasMazovThought [comrade/them]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I'd say medical marijuana probably isn't going to be the first prescription for basically anything, so if it's going to be recommended it should be in a situation where other possibilities are exhausted -- autism is not 'curable', so the effectiveness in marijuana is going to be in symptom management (alongside the usual atypical antipsychotics that work best [risperidone, haloperidol] or developing treatments [oxytocin spray]).

    It can be good for anxiety, stress, insomnia, relaxation, anorexia, or inflammation, but it can also cause anxiety, paranoia, and agitation -- start low and go slowly in the amounts (which also applies to any medication).

    At 20 you're mostly out of the woods for the neurological impact of THC (albeit separating its impact from existing neurodevelopmental conditions already in place would be impossible), be cautious for signs of psychosis or schizophrenia -- cannabis won't cause either, but can activate such in individuals already genetically disposed (and autism, particularly PDD-NOS, has a significantly higher incidence of this occurring than the general public).

    • MarxistHedonism [she/her]
      ·
      4 years ago

      Thanks for mentioning the psychosis stuff. A lot of people who act like marijuana cures everything are not aware of this and it’s really devastating if it happens.

      It affected my husband that way and he also became habitually addicted. Those were some dark years.

      I’m not saying marijuana is evil and everyone who smokes it is bad, but just want people to be aware that it has the chance to be harmful.

    • KrasMazovThought [comrade/them]
      ·
      4 years ago

      Different strains can also have markedly different effects, so if you do opt for marijuana for symptom management, work to tailor what you're smoking -- some strains will make you focused and stimulated like caffeine, but with the accompanying increase in anxiety, some strains may make you relaxed and sedated if you're struggling with sleep disruption and sensory issues but would make you a block socially