A perspective review explores whether medicinal cannabis could be a therapeutic option for managing challenging behaviors in people with intellectual disabilities.
Disability support professionals, psychiatrists working with intellectual disability, caregivers, and cannabis researchers.
Over 1/3 affectedMore than one-third of people with intellectual disabilities present with challenging behavior
What the researchers found
The review identifies potential pathways through which cannabinoids might help manage challenging behavior in people with intellectual disabilities, including effects on anxiety, pain, and sleep disruption that often underlie behavioral issues.
Why it matters
Challenging behavior affects over one-third of people with intellectual disabilities and current pharmacological options often have significant side effects, creating a need for alternative therapeutic approaches.
The numbers in context
Around 2% of the population have intellectual disabilities, and over one-third present with challenging behavior influenced by bio-psycho-social factors.
How the study worked
Perspective review synthesizing existing evidence on cannabinoid therapeutics and challenging behavior in intellectual disability populations.
Who was studied
People with intellectual disabilities who present with challenging behavior.
What this study cannot tell us
As a perspective review rather than systematic review or clinical trial, evidence is largely theoretical; direct clinical evidence in this population is extremely limited.
How to read the evidence
Perspective review with theoretical framework; no direct clinical trial evidence in this population yet.
When this study was published
Recent review reflecting growing interest in cannabis therapeutics for underserved populations.
The bigger picture
This paper opens discussion about an underserved population that is often excluded from cannabis research, highlighting the need for careful clinical investigation rather than blanket exclusion.
Replication
Novel perspective; no prior clinical trials to replicate in this specific population.
Funding
Not specified
Conflicts of interest
Not specified
Questions still open
- What cannabinoid formulations would be most appropriate for this population?
- How would informed consent be managed in clinical trials?
- Could CBD-dominant products address underlying anxiety without cognitive side effects?
Read the original research
The potential for medicinal cannabis to help manage challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disability: A perspective review.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 37(12), 1201-1208
Citation
Korb, Laura; Tromans, Samuel; Perera, Bhathika; Khan, Nagina; Burrows, Lisa; Laugharne, Richard; Hassiotis, Angela; Allgar, Victoria; Efron, Daryl; Maidment, Ian; Shankar, Rohit. (2023). The potential for medicinal cannabis to help manage challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disability: A perspective review.. Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 37(12), 1201-1208. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811231209192