Patients with autism spectrum disorder treated with cannabis-based medicines showed significant improvements in anxiety, sleep, and overall quality of life over six months in a UK medical registry.
People with ASD, caregivers, and clinicians interested in cannabis-based treatments for autism-related symptoms.
Significant improvements in quality of life and sleep sustained at 6 months
What the researchers found
Among 74 ASD patients (mean age 32.7), significant improvements were seen in general quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), sleep quality (SQS), and anxiety (GAD-7) at 1 and 3 months. Quality of life and sleep improvements were sustained at 6 months. Most adverse events were mild (78.4%) or moderate (109.5%), rather than severe (55.4%).
Why it matters
Few effective treatments exist for the anxiety, sleep problems, and quality-of-life challenges that commonly accompany autism. This registry data provides early real-world evidence on cannabis-based medicines for these symptoms.
The numbers in context
74 ASD patients, mean age 32.7 years. Significant improvements in EQ-5D-5L, SQS, and GAD-7 at 1 and 3 months. EQ-5D-5L and SQS improvements sustained at 6 months.
How the study worked
Observational case series from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry analyzing patients treated with cannabis-based medicinal products for ASD-related symptoms for at least 1 month. Outcomes measured using validated instruments (GAD-7, SQS, EQ-5D-5L) at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months.
What this study cannot tell us
No control group. Subject to attrition bias. Registry data cannot determine whether improvements were from cannabis medicines, placebo effect, or other factors. Relatively small sample size.
How to read the evidence
Observational case series without controls. Promising but subject to multiple biases including placebo effect and attrition.
When this study was published
Published in 2022.
The bigger picture
Registry data from clinical practice provides real-world evidence that complements the limited controlled trial data on cannabis for autism, though it cannot establish causation.
Questions still open
- Would these improvements hold up in a randomized controlled trial? Which cannabis formulations and doses are optimal for ASD-related symptoms?
Common questions
What symptoms improved?
Were there side effects?
Read the original research
Clinical outcome analysis of patients with autism spectrum disorder: analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.
Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 12, 20451253221116240
Citation
Erridge, Simon; Kerr-Gaffney, Jess; Holvey, Carl; Coomber, Ross; Barros, Daniela A Riano; Bhoskar, Urmila; Mwimba, Gracia; Praveen, Kavita; Symeon, Chris; Sachdeva-Mohan, Simmi; Sodergren, Mikael H; Rucker, James J. (2022). Clinical outcome analysis of patients with autism spectrum disorder: analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.. Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 12, 20451253221116240. https://doi.org/10.1177/20451253221116240
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