Autism Parenting Secrets
Episode: Cannabis Is Medicine – If You Know How To Use It
Host: Len Arcuri
Guest: Dr. David Berger ("Dr. David")
Published: February 19, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode tackles one of the most misunderstood and controversial topics in autism treatment: the use of medical cannabis. Guest Dr. David Berger—holistic pediatrician, founder of Holistic Relief (Florida's first pediatric medical cannabis clinic), and a longtime advocate for integrative medicine—joins host Len Arcuri. Together, they explore the science, nuances, and practicalities of cannabis-based therapies, especially for children with autism and related conditions. The episode aims to empower parents with accurate information, clarify myths, and highlight the importance of individualized, expert-guided care.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Origins: Dr. David’s Journey to Medical Cannabis
- [03:14] Dr. David explains his path from using traditional herbal medicine to pioneering pediatric cannabis treatments starting around 2012.
- Early clinical experiences with CBD transformed not only his patients but also caregivers:
- “He’s like, CBD. I started taking it. It's completely changed around my mood, completely changed on my attitude.” (Dr. David, 04:01)
- Cannabis as a plant-based intervention fit seamlessly into his holistic approach, treating it like any other herb but applying heightened diligence due to its legal and cultural history.
2. Fast-Acting and Adjustable—Why Cannabis Is Unique
- [00:00, reiterated at 07:15] The immediate effects of cannabis-based therapies (sometimes minutes to hours) are contrasted with slower pharmaceutical regimens that may require weeks for assessment.
- Allows rapid, situation-based adjustments (e.g., handling acute stress or meltdowns).
- “You can use it as needed… give an extra dose if it’s a stressful or difficult day… In terms of properties of what you want US medicine to have, it's kind of the ideal one.” (Dr. David, 07:36)
3. How Cannabis Works—Understanding the Endocannabinoid System
- [09:56] Dr. David offers a primer:
- All mammals have an endocannabinoid system, crucial for maintaining balance (homeostasis), especially affecting nerve and inflammatory cells.
- Plant cannabinoids (e.g., CBD, THC) can supplement or modulate our own endocannabinoids.
- “The role of the endocannabinoid system is to maintain balance for the individual…” (Dr. David, 10:15)
Key Cannabinoids Explained:
- CBD (Cannabidiol): Indirectly strengthens the body’s cannabinoids in the synapse; generally calming, non-intoxicating.
- THC (Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol): Directly stimulates cannabinoid receptors; can be intoxicating—used rarely and cautiously in children.
- CBG, CBN, CBGA, CBDA:
- CBG: Shown best for anxiety, depression, and behavioral flares.
- CBN: Most effective for sleep maintenance.
- CBGA, CBDA: “Parent” compounds found in plants before activation.
- “CBG… is one of the best I have now found for things like anxiety, depression, overexcitability, panic attacks.” (Dr. David, 13:08)
4. Why Might Cannabis Work for Autism?
- [15:32] Limited research—but important findings:
- Kids with autism have lower levels of natural endocannabinoids compared to neurotypicals (2017–2018 Israel study).
- Cannabis does not “fix” root causes like inflammation but modifies symptoms when standard approaches fail.
- “This is modifying the root cause, it’s not fixing the root cause… But with kids with autism, they found that they had significantly lower levels than neurotypical children.” (Dr. David, 15:44)
5. When—and For Whom—is Cannabis Appropriate?
- [08:29, 19:07, 20:56] Rarely used as first-line therapy.
- Candidates are typically children with severe, treatment-resistant autism spectrum symptoms or other significant medical/psychiatric challenges.
- “It's rare, if never, that I use it as a first line therapy. Most of the time it’s parents who… have been through everything else and nothing's worked.” (Dr. David, 08:52)
Top Target Symptoms:
- Sleep problems (“Sleep would be one…” 21:14)
- Anxiety/panic, hyperexcitability (21:14)
- Gut pain/inflammation (21:14)
- Appetite stimulation, especially for picky/low-eating children (22:04)
6. Cannabis as a Tool—to Taper Other Meds
- [19:46] Dr. David reports a 75–80% success rate in symptom improvement.
- Cannabis can often reduce the need for conventional psychotropic or anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., Risperdal, SSRIs, ADD meds).
- “One of the best side effects… is reduction of other medications...” (Dr. David, 19:51)
7. Safe & Smart Use—It’s Complicated
- [22:24, 25:37]
- THC reserved for last resort, clear indications.
- Precaution given neurodevelopmental risks—brain develops until roughly age 22.
- Only “exhaust all other cannabinoids” before considering THC (23:04).
- Terpenes matter: These non-cannabinoid plant compounds contribute distinct effects (calm, focus, sleep, etc.); selection should be tailored.
- Beware of quality: Many over-the-counter products are poorly regulated, risk contamination (heavy metals, pesticides).
- “This is a very, very buyer beware situation because of things like pesticides…” (Dr. David, 25:37)
- Always request a recent Certificate of Analysis ([26:43]) for third-party batch testing.
- “If it’s not listed right on their website of the company, ask to see the last three certificates of analysis…” (Dr. David, 25:54)
- THC reserved for last resort, clear indications.
8. Practical Guidance for Parents
- [25:11, 27:28]
- Individualized care is paramount; self-treating with store-bought CBD is risky and imprecise.
- Expert guidance crucial for dosing, product selection, monitoring reactions.
- Only change one variable at a time in a child’s regimen to assess true effects.
- “…the precision really, really does matter.” (Len, 25:11)
9. Challenges and Barriers
- [28:38] Legal landscape is patchy and inconsistent across states.
- CBD from hemp accessible; THC tightly regulated, varies by state.
- Lack of comprehensive, up-to-date federal policy.
- “Every state has its own rules, its own laws… that’s why it’s so complicated.” (Dr. David, 28:54)
10. Broader Holistic Approach & New Initiatives
- [30:30] Dr. David’s upcoming book—Making Healthy Kids: From Preconception to Infancy and Beyond—will focus on optimizing early childhood health by minimizing toxins, improving nutrition, and supporting detox pathways.
- His new ecosystem project aims for global awareness, individualized toxicity testing, and safer products for children.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Quick Impact:
- “You know immediately, as in that first day, sometimes first hour, first five minutes, depending on how you take it, you know what you got with that particular dose...” (Dr. David, 00:00)
-
On Individual Nature of Treatment:
- “You really have to know how to utilize these different products and how to titrate them in order to get the best chance of success.” (Dr. David, 24:57)
- “I probably use more of the THCs… But I always would do THC last, and I would exhaust all of the other cannabinoids before I introduce my kid to THC.” (Dr. David, 22:11, 22:24)
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On the Importance of Product Quality:
- “The plant itself, the herb, the roots… actually gathers heavy metals. In fact it gathers radiation. They planted it around Chernobyl afterwards...” (Dr. David, 25:47)
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On Changes in Awareness and Policy:
- “It popped up, it became really big, and then it disappeared. Is it just because of how complicated it is from state to state?” (Len, 28:27)
- “I really don’t see much of a partisan difference… People want to help their kids. You know, again, that's different from recreational.” (Dr. David, 29:49)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- How Cannabis Works/Basics: 09:56–13:48
- Why and When Cannabis Is Considered: 08:29, 19:07, 20:56
- Cannabinoids and Target Symptoms: 12:30–14:47; 21:14–22:04
- Risks, Product Quality & Terpenes: 22:24–27:28
- Legal and Perception Challenges: 28:38–30:12
- New Initiatives & Book Announcement: 30:30–34:37
Resources & Further Learning
- Dr. David Berger’s Practice: holisticfamilycare.com
- P2I Project (Preconception to Infancy Health): p2ihealth.com
- YouTube Channel (Dr. David MD): Search “Dr. David MD” on YouTube for 800+ educational videos
- Book (forthcoming): “Making Healthy Kids: From Preconception to Infancy and Beyond”
Final Thoughts
This episode offers a balanced, science-grounded look at cannabis as medicine for children with autism—dispelling myths, emphasizing individualized care, highlighting potential benefits, and warning of the nuances and pitfalls. Parents are encouraged not to self-prescribe but to seek professional guidance and demand quality, transparency, and safety from any supplement, especially one as potent as cannabis—and to view it as one of many tools within a comprehensive, integrative plan.