DOES CBD OIL LIKELY RELIEVE SYMPTOMS OF DOWN SYNDROME?

Thanks to the endocannabinoid system that assists in regulating the key functions of the body. The ECS regulates functions like sleep, appetite, and pain. Evidence has been provided that therapies based on the cannabinoid system improve Down syndrome symptoms. According to Di Franco et al. (2022), CBD may be effective for Down syndrome individuals. It was concluded that nausea and vomiting were stopped by medicines related to cannabis.

Wondering if the famous CBD oil could help control some Down syndrome symptoms? Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that is characterized by extra chromosomes. The extra chromosomes lead to mental and physical disorders that are the symptoms of Down syndrome. CBD is a compound naturally obtained from the hemp plant. It has anecdotal properties and does not contain THC, making one feel high because THC is psychoactive while CBD is not. There's much more to be discovered regarding CBD's medical benefits, even though its research is still at infancy levels. Here’s what we can talk about CBD when it comes to relieving the symptoms of Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetically acquired disorder that leads to development and physical problems. People who have Down syndrome have more than the required chromosomes. These extra chromosomes cause a lot of physical and mental effects. Research by Fisher et al. (2013)., showed that Down syndrome is a lifetime experience. Although the condition is incurable, seek early medication, especially in infancy, so that the child can have a meaningful life.

Signs and Symptoms of Down Syndrome

People with Down syndrome are affected in different ways. However, there are common issues such as thinking problems and understanding and reasoning issues. Here are some of the common features of people suffering from Down syndrome: Flat nose, short neck, small hands, and stature eyes slanted on the outer corner. There are different down syndromes depending on the number of extra chromosomes formed. Trisomy Down syndrome affects around 95% of patients with Down syndrome. Translocation Down syndrome affects 3% of people with Down syndrome, and lastly, Mosaic Down syndrome is a combination of the two.

How Cannabis Works on Down Syndrome

The endocannabinoid system assists in regulating the key functions of the body. The ECS regulates functions like sleep, appetite, and pain. Evidence has been provided that therapies based on the cannabinoid system improve Down syndrome symptoms. Both THC and CBD lessen the availability of neurons that have been damaged and amyloid plaques in human beings. Cannabinoids protect against other symptoms of Down syndrome, such as impulsivity and the difficulty in upholding attention issues to do with seizures and sleep. Recent studies suggest that ECS also plays a role in Down syndrome because if the ECS is dysfunctional, conditions such as depression and several neurological disorders are experienced.

People who suffer from Down syndrome experience gastrointestinal-related symptoms like abdominal pains, constipation, vomiting, and diarrhea. According to a review of a clinical study, scientists concluded that nausea and vomiting were stopped by medicines related to cannabis. In addition to this, a study in 2019 concluded that CBD could improve issues to do with sleep disorders. Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug, was approved to treat certain seizure conditions by the FDA. Anecdotal evidence by Martínez et al. (2020)., showed that hemp-based compound such as CBD oil improves symptoms of down syndromes such as improving focus, attention, speech, and mobility.

Possible Side Effects

Inquire from a physician when to go for CBD. Consultation is to avoid drug-drug interactions that have very negative effects. The medication that one may be using before going for CBD might have a negative reaction when they mix with CBD causing effects such as vomiting, change of moods and appetite, drowsiness, and diarrhea.

CBD oil leads to increased enzymes in the liver. Patients with liver disease need to consult a healthcare provider and use it with caution. Let them know the current medication you are using for them to choose drugs that cannot lead to a negative drug-to-drug interaction. Similarly, people with Down syndrome patients need to seek the physician's advice so that they cannot elevate the symptoms of Down syndrome and worsen the situation. Here are some of the drugs that interact with CBD potentially: Atypical antidepressants such as Remeron, drugs that suppress immunity such as sand immune, and antipsychotic drugs like Orap. However, many of these interactions are mild.

Correct Dosage

There is no specific dosage for Down syndrome patients. However, there are key things to consider to get the right effects of CBD. Age applies when introducing CBD oil to a child that has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. The dosage of an adult won’t be the same as that of a child. A child might require a smaller dosage than an adult to avoid overwhelming effects. Other factors include weight and metabolism. It is always good to start small as you gradually increase depending on the expected effects. For more information about the dosage for Down syndrome, a study by D’Souza et al. (2020), gave an overview.

What to Look For

When getting a CBD product, go for one that is certified and has undergone a third-party lab test. Go for products whose manufacturers are transparent. Familiarize with the product's ingredients, the mode of extraction, and preparation. Check if it is not contaminated with pesticides and metals.

Conclusion

Down syndrome is mostly linked with abnormalities in one's anatomical structure. Findings have narrowed it down that CBD oil can be used to treat a number of the symptoms of Down syndrome. Several studies have been conducted on people with Down syndrome, and it has been discovered that they have had increased activity among their cannabinoid type 2 receptors. Get comprehensive advice from the doctor and start the journey. Avoid Down syndrome symptoms such as seizures and gastrointestinal complications by considering age and weight when choosing a quality CBD product. If it is online, check the product with positive reviews.

References

Di Franco, N., Drutel, G., Roullot-Lacarrière, V., Julio-Kalajzic, F., Lalanne, V., Grel, A., ... & Revest, J. M. (2022). Differential Expression Of The Neuronal CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor In The Hippocampus Of Male Ts65Dn Down Syndrome Mouse Model. Molecular And Cellular Neuroscience, 119, 103705.

D’Souza, H., Mason, L., Mok, K. Y., Startin, C. M., Hamburg, S., Hithersay, R., ... & Thomas, M. S. (2020). Differential Associations Of Apolipoprotein E Ε4 Genotype With Attentional Abilities Across The Life Span Of Individuals With Down Syndrome. JAMA Network Open, 3(9), E2018221-E2018221.

Fisher, M. H., Moskowitz, A. L., & Hodapp, R. M. (2013). Differences In Social Vulnerability Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Williams Syndrome, And Down Syndrome. Research In Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7(8), 931-937.

Martínez, V., Iriondo De-Hond, A., Borrelli, F., Capasso, R., Del Castillo, M. D., & Abalo, R. (2020). Cannabidiol And Other Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids For Prevention And Treatment Of Gastrointestinal Disorders: Useful Nutraceuticals?. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, 21(9), 3067.