CBD-Rich Cannabis Extract Improved Social Interaction in Children With Autism
In a randomized controlled trial of 60 children with autism, 12 weeks of CBD-rich cannabis extract significantly improved social interaction, anxiety, agitation, eating patterns, and concentration compared to placebo.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
CBD-rich cannabis extract produced significant improvements in social interaction (p=0.0002), anxiety (p=0.016), psychomotor agitation (p=0.003), number of meals per day (p=0.04), and concentration (p=0.01, mild cases only). Only 9.7% of the treatment group experienced adverse effects (dizziness, insomnia, colic, weight gain), all mild.
Key Numbers
60 children, ages 5-11. 12-week treatment. Social interaction: F=14.13, p=0.0002. Anxiety: F=5.99, p=0.016. Psychomotor agitation: F=9.22, p=0.003. Concentration improved only in mild cases (p=0.01). Adverse effects in 9.7% (3 children).
How They Did This
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 60 children aged 5-11 years with ASD. The treatment group received CBD-rich cannabis extract for 12 weeks. Outcomes were analyzed using two-factor mixed ANOVA.
Why This Research Matters
This is one of the few randomized controlled trials examining CBD for autism in children. Social interaction, a core diagnostic criterion for ASD, showed the strongest improvement, suggesting CBD may address a fundamental challenge of the condition rather than just peripheral symptoms.
The Bigger Picture
With ASD affecting 1 in 36 children and no pharmacological treatment for core symptoms, a well-tolerated intervention that improves social interaction is noteworthy. This trial, while small, adds to a growing evidence base for cannabinoid-based approaches to autism.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample (60 children). Single-center study. 12-week follow-up may not capture long-term effects. The concentration improvement was limited to mild ASD cases. Details on the specific CBD:THC ratio and dosing were limited in the abstract.
Questions This Raises
- ?What is the optimal CBD dose and formulation for children with ASD?
- ?Do the improvements persist after stopping treatment?
- ?Would children with more severe ASD also benefit with longer treatment?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Social interaction improved significantly (p=0.0002)
- Evidence Grade:
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design is the gold standard, though the small sample size and single center temper the strength.
- Study Age:
- 2024 journal publication (submitted 2021)
- Original Title:
- Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract in children with autism spectrum disorder: randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.
- Published In:
- Trends in psychiatry and psychotherapy, 46, e20210396 (2024)
- Authors:
- Silva, Estácio Amaro da(2), Medeiros, Wandersonia Moreira Brito(2), Santos, João Paulo Mendes Dos, Sousa, João Marçal Medeiros de, Costa, Filipe Barbosa da, Pontes, Katiúscia Moreira, Borges, Thaís Cavalcanti, Espínola, Carlos, Andrade E Silva, Ana Hermínia, Nunes, Eliane Lima Guerra, Alves, Nelson Torro, Rosa, Marine Diniz da, Albuquerque, Katy Lísias Gondim Dias de
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05714
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can CBD help children with autism?
This randomized trial of 60 children found CBD-rich cannabis extract significantly improved social interaction, anxiety, and agitation over 12 weeks. Only 3 children (9.7%) had mild side effects.
Which autism symptoms improved most with CBD?
Social interaction showed the strongest improvement (p=0.0002), followed by psychomotor agitation (p=0.003) and anxiety (p=0.016). Concentration improved only in children with milder autism.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- CBD-oil-quality-guide
- anxiety-medication-after-quitting-weed
- cannabis-chemotherapy-nausea
- cannabis-chronic-pain-research
- cannabis-epilepsy-CBD-Epidiolex
- cbd-anxiety-research-evidence
- cbd-for-weed-withdrawal
- cbd-vs-thc-difference
- medical-benefits-of-cannabis
- quitting-weed-before-surgery
- quitting-weed-medication-interactions
- quitting-weed-pregnancy
- quitting-weed-pregnant
- seniors-older-adults-cannabis-risks-medications
- weed-breastfeeding-THC-breast-milk
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05714APA
Silva, Estácio Amaro da; Medeiros, Wandersonia Moreira Brito; Santos, João Paulo Mendes Dos; Sousa, João Marçal Medeiros de; Costa, Filipe Barbosa da; Pontes, Katiúscia Moreira; Borges, Thaís Cavalcanti; Espínola, Carlos; Andrade E Silva, Ana Hermínia; Nunes, Eliane Lima Guerra; Alves, Nelson Torro; Rosa, Marine Diniz da; Albuquerque, Katy Lísias Gondim Dias de. (2024). Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract in children with autism spectrum disorder: randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.. Trends in psychiatry and psychotherapy, 46, e20210396. https://doi.org/10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0396
MLA
Silva, Estácio Amaro da, et al. "Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract in children with autism spectrum disorder: randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.." Trends in psychiatry and psychotherapy, 2024. https://doi.org/10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0396
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol-rich ca..." RTHC-05714. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/silva-2024-evaluation-of-the-efficacy
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.