Autistic adults in the UK were more than three times as likely to use CBD as non-autistic adults | Research

The takeaway

Among matched UK adults, autistic individuals were 3.5 times more likely to have used CBD in the past year and used it on more days, while also reporting significant barriers to seeking cannabinoid-related support.

Clinicians working with autistic adults, autism researchers, and autistic individuals interested in CBD use patterns.

3.5x higher CBD use among autistic adults vs. matched controls

What the researchers found

Autistic participants were more likely to use CBD (OR=3.52, p=0.002) and used it on more days (34 vs. 17 days/year). Cannabis use rates did not differ between groups. Autistic participants trusted doctors less as cannabinoid information sources (p=0.003) and endorsed barriers to support-seeking: worry about not being understood (OR=3.25), unfamiliar settings (OR=5.29), and crowded/chaotic places (OR=9.79).

Why it matters

CBD is being widely marketed for anxiety and sensory issues that overlap with autistic experiences, yet this population faces unique barriers to getting reliable information. The finding that autistic adults trust doctors less for cannabinoid guidance points to a communication gap.

The numbers in context

166 propensity-matched participants. CBD use OR: 3.52 (95% CI: 1.57-7.87). Annual CBD days: 34 (autistic) vs. 17 (control). Barriers: crowded places OR=9.79, unfamiliar settings OR=5.29, worry about understanding OR=3.25. Trusted doctors less: p=0.003.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional online survey of UK adults. Propensity score matching on age, gender, and ethnicity produced 166 matched participants (autistic and controls). Primary analysis used propensity-matched sample with triangulation against full sample (269 participants).

What this study cannot tell us

Self-reported autism diagnosis. Online survey with self-selection bias. UK-specific. Relatively small matched sample. Cannot determine why autistic adults use more CBD (self-medication vs. other reasons).

How to read the evidence

Propensity-matched cross-sectional survey with small sample. Preliminary but methodologically thoughtful.

When this study was published

2021 UK cross-sectional survey.

The bigger picture

The combination of higher CBD use and lower trust in medical guidance creates a situation where autistic adults may be self-treating with CBD without clinical support. Addressing the specific barriers identified here (unfamiliar settings, crowded places) could improve healthcare access.

Questions still open

What conditions are autistic adults using CBD for? Would autism-friendly clinical environments improve cannabinoid-related healthcare engagement? Is CBD effective for the symptoms autistic adults are targeting?

Common questions

Did autistic adults use more cannabis or just more CBD?

Only CBD use was significantly higher among autistic adults. Cannabis use rates did not differ between groups, suggesting autistic adults are specifically drawn to CBD products.

Why do autistic adults face barriers to cannabinoid-related healthcare?

The top barriers were environment-related: crowded or chaotic places (OR=9.79), going somewhere unfamiliar (OR=5.29), and worrying about not being understood (OR=3.25).

Read the original research

Cannabis and cannabidiol use among autistic and non-autistic adults in the UK: a propensity score-matched analysis.

BMJ open, 11(12), e053814

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Hua, Daniel Ying-Heng; Lees, Rachel; Brosnan, Mark; Freeman, Tom P. (2021). Cannabis and cannabidiol use among autistic and non-autistic adults in the UK: a propensity score-matched analysis.. BMJ open, 11(12), e053814. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053814