A new review of scientific research on the use of marijuana’s components to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) finds that “preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits,” including improvements around anxiety, sleep and behavior. But more work—especially randomized controlled trials—are needed “to confirm these results and establish clear treatment guidelines,” authors said.
“Preliminary findings suggest that CBD-rich formulations may provide modest benefits for sleep and social interaction, with a reduction in anxiety symptoms,” says the peer-reviewed study published in the journal Cureus. “Regarding core ASD symptoms and behavioral outcomes, cannabinoids demonstrated greater efficacy compared to placebo in some studies.”
Overall, they wrote, “While preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits, particularly for anxiety, sleep, and behavior, the findings remain inconclusive due to study heterogeneity and methodological limitations.” Studies also indicated “a slight improvement” in sleep quality, while “autistic core symptoms showed positive responses” the report says. “Some studies also reported reductions in hyperactivity, agitation, self-injurious behavior, and epilepsy, along with improvements in communication skills, attention, and eye contact.”
