Medicinal Cannabis for Paediatric Developmental, Behavioural and Mental Health Disorders

Daryl Efron () and Kaitlyn Taylor
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Daryl Efron: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
Kaitlyn Taylor: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 8, 1-15

Abstract: Parents of children with developmental, behavioural and mental health disorders are increasingly asking whether medicinal cannabis might be a therapeutic option for their child. This paper presents the current evidence for medicinal cannabis in this population. Preliminary evidence from open-label studies suggests the potential for medicinal cannabis to ameliorate some symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder. However, only one double-blind placebo-controlled trial has been completed, with inconclusive findings. Synthetic, transdermal cannabidiol gel has demonstrated efficacy for reducing social avoidance in a sub-group of children with Fragile X syndrome. Studies of medicinal cannabis are planned or underway for children and/or adolescents with autism, intellectual disability, Tourette’s syndrome, anxiety, psychosis, anorexia nervosa and a number of specific neurodevelopmental syndromes. High quality evidence from double-blind placebo-controlled trials is needed to guide clinical practice.

Keywords: medicinal cannabis; cannabidiol; paediatrics; developmental disorders; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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