An open-label study of 82 children and adolescents with autism found significant improvements in social communication after six months of CBD-rich cannabis, measured by both clinical assessment and parent report.
Parents and clinicians exploring CBD for autism, researchers in pediatric cannabinoid therapeutics.
82 children completed 6 months; significant improvements on ADOS clinical assessment
What the researchers found
Significant improvements in social communication were observed on the ADOS (clinical assessment), SRS (parent report), and Vineland (adaptive behaviors). Improvements were larger in participants with more severe initial symptoms. Restricted and repetitive behaviors improved only on the parent-reported SRS, not on clinical assessment. Cognitive scores did not change.
Why it matters
Previous CBD-autism studies relied mainly on parent reports. This study used standardized clinical assessments (ADOS), providing more objective evidence that CBD-rich cannabis may improve social communication in some children with autism.
The numbers in context
110 recruited, 82 completed 6 months of treatment. Significant improvements on ADOS, SRS, and Vineland social communication scales. Larger improvements in those with more severe baseline symptoms. No significant cognitive changes.
How the study worked
Open-label study of 110 recruited participants (82 completed 6 months). Social communication measured by ADOS (clinician-administered), SRS (parent report), and Vineland. Cognitive abilities assessed with age-appropriate Wechsler tests.
What this study cannot tell us
Open-label design with no placebo control. 28 of 110 participants did not complete the protocol. Placebo effects and natural developmental changes could account for improvements. No long-term follow-up.
How to read the evidence
Open-label study with standardized clinical outcomes but no placebo control group.
When this study was published
Published in 2022.
The bigger picture
The fact that improvements were visible on clinician-administered assessments, not just parent reports, strengthens the case for further investigation. However, the lack of a placebo control means expectations and natural development cannot be ruled out.
Questions still open
- Would these improvements hold up in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial? Why did some participants show no improvement while others improved substantially?
Common questions
Can CBD help children with autism?
Did CBD improve repetitive behaviors in autism?
Read the original research
Children and adolescents with ASD treated with CBD-rich cannabis exhibit significant improvements particularly in social symptoms: an open label study.
Translational psychiatry, 12(1), 375
Citation
Hacohen, Micha; Stolar, Orit E; Berkovitch, Matitiahu; Elkana, Odelia; Kohn, Elkana; Hazan, Ariela; Heyman, Eli; Sobol, Yael; Waissengreen, Danel; Gal, Eynat; Dinstein, Ilan. (2022). Children and adolescents with ASD treated with CBD-rich cannabis exhibit significant improvements particularly in social symptoms: an open label study.. Translational psychiatry, 12(1), 375. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02104-8
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