CBD Oil Reduced Anxiety and Improved Social Functioning in Autistic Children in a Small Trial | Research

The takeaway

In a randomized crossover trial of 29 autistic children, CBD oil with terpenes did not improve the primary social responsiveness measure but significantly reduced anxiety, improved social relating, and lowered parental stress.

Parents of autistic children, autism researchers, clinicians treating autism-related anxiety

Significant anxiety reduction (p=0.002) but no primary outcome improvement

What the researchers found

CBD oil (10 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks) did not significantly improve the primary outcome of social responsiveness (SRS-2). However, significant improvements were found in secondary measures: social relating (DBC-2, p=0.024), anxiety (DBC-2 subscale, p=0.002), and parental stress (APSI, p=0.044). Two children experienced gastrointestinal discomfort. No differences were seen in adaptive functioning.

Why it matters

Autism treatments are limited, and many families are already using CBD products for their autistic children without clinical evidence. This is one of the first rigorous randomized trials testing CBD in autistic children, and while the primary outcome was negative, the significant anxiety reduction and parental stress improvements warrant further investigation.

The numbers in context

N=29 (18 male), ages 5-12 (mean 9.62). CBD dose: 10 mg/kg/day. Two 12-week periods with 8-week washout. Primary outcome (SRS-2): not significant (p=0.125). Secondary outcomes: social relating p=0.024, anxiety p=0.002, parental stress p=0.044. Adverse events: 2 children with GI discomfort.

How the study worked

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with 29 autistic children aged 5-12. Participants received weight-based CBD oil (10 mg/kg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks each, separated by an 8-week washout period.

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample (N=29) limits statistical power, especially for the primary outcome. Multiple secondary outcomes increase the risk of false positives. Crossover design assumes no carryover effects after the 8-week washout. No independent measure of CBD adherence. Single CBD formulation with terpenes tested.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary evidence from a small but well-designed randomized crossover trial. The primary outcome was negative, and secondary outcome significance should be interpreted cautiously given multiple comparisons.

When this study was published

2025 randomized controlled trial of CBD in autistic children.

The bigger picture

The negative primary outcome is important for tempering expectations about CBD as an autism treatment. However, the significant anxiety reduction aligns with CBD's demonstrated anxiolytic properties in other populations and suggests that CBD may help with specific aspects of the autistic experience rather than broadly improving social functioning.

Questions still open

Would a larger trial confirm the anxiety reduction finding? Is the anxiety benefit specific to CBD or could the terpenes in the formulation contribute? Would longer treatment duration produce improvements in social responsiveness? What is the optimal dose for autistic children?

Common questions

Does CBD help with autism?

In this trial, CBD did not improve the primary measure of social responsiveness in autistic children. However, it did significantly reduce anxiety, improve some aspects of social relating, and lower parental stress. The results suggest CBD may help with specific autism-related difficulties rather than core social symptoms.

Is CBD safe for autistic children?

In this 12-week trial, CBD at 10 mg/kg/day was generally well tolerated. Only two of 29 children experienced adverse effects (gastrointestinal discomfort). However, the small sample and limited duration mean long-term safety data in this population are still needed.

Read the original research

Effects of Cannabidiol on Social Relating, Anxiety, and Parental Stress in Autistic Children: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Parrella, Nina-Francesca; Hill, Aron T; Enticott, Peter G; Botha, Tanita; Catchlove, Sarah; Downey, Luke; Ford, Talitha C. (2025). Effects of Cannabidiol on Social Relating, Anxiety, and Parental Stress in Autistic Children: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.. Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.70159