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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.