Cannabis (mostly CBD) dramatically reduced disruptive behavior in 5 people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
In 5 individuals with FASD and severe disruptive behavior, cannabis use (primarily CBD) reduced behavior scores from 18 to 6 on a validated rating scale (p=0.0002).
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
All 5 cases (2 children, 3 young adults) with FASD and severe disruptive behavior showed significant improvement after cannabis use, primarily CBD. Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form disruptive behavior scores dropped from 18 to 6 (p=0.0002). The improvement was described as "marked" by the researchers.
Key Numbers
5 cases (2 children, 3 young adults). Disruptive behavior score: 18 before cannabis to 6 after (p=0.0002). Cannabis type: mostly CBD.
How They Did This
Retrospective case series of 2 children and 3 young adults diagnosed with FASD and severe disruptive behavior. Behavioral changes after cannabis introduction measured using the parent version of the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form.
Why This Research Matters
FASD affects up to 5% of American children, and treatment options for their disruptive behaviors are extremely limited (mainly stimulants and antipsychotics). CBD's favorable safety profile could make it an attractive option if larger studies confirm these findings.
The Bigger Picture
The FASD population shares some behavioral features with autism spectrum disorder, where CBD has also shown promise. If CBD works for FASD disruptive behaviors, it could represent a new treatment avenue for a condition with very few evidence-based pharmacological options.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only 5 cases with no control group. Retrospective design. Parent-reported outcomes. Cannot rule out placebo effects, natural behavioral fluctuation, or concurrent changes. "Mostly CBD" is not a precise formulation.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would CBD show similar effects in a controlled trial?
- ?What is the optimal CBD dose for FASD behaviors?
- ?How does CBD compare to current pharmacological treatments for FASD?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Disruptive behavior scores dropped from 18 to 6 (p=0.0002)
- Evidence Grade:
- Very small case series with no controls. Statistically significant but cannot establish causation.
- Study Age:
- 2021 retrospective case series.
- Original Title:
- Use of Cannabis in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
- Published In:
- Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 6(1), 74-76 (2021)
- Authors:
- Koren, Gideon(2), Cohen, Rana(2), Sachs, Ornie
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03253
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is FASD?
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) results from prenatal alcohol exposure and affects up to 5% of American children. It causes behavioral problems including disruptive behavior, for which there are very few effective treatments.
Was this THC or CBD?
The cannabis used was described as "mostly CBD." All 5 cases showed marked improvement in disruptive behavior regardless of exact formulation.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03253APA
Koren, Gideon; Cohen, Rana; Sachs, Ornie. (2021). Use of Cannabis in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 6(1), 74-76. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2019.0056
MLA
Koren, Gideon, et al. "Use of Cannabis in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.." Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2019.0056
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Use of Cannabis in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder." RTHC-03253. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/koren-2021-use-of-cannabis-in
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.