New findings shared at the 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry suggest that cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in marijuana, may offer behavioral benefits for teens and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
ASD affects roughly one in a hundred children globally. It often involves challenges with communication, emotional expression, social interactions, and a tendency toward repetitive behaviors. In the U.S., diagnoses have surged by roughly 175% from 2011 to 2022, with the latest data from the CDC estimating that 1 in 36 American children are on the spectrum.
Many of these children face behavioral and emotional challenges that go beyond those typically seen in neurotypical youth, often placing a heavy burden on families and caregivers.
Dr. Lara Branco, the lead author of the study, noted that although more adolescents and children are being diagnosed with ASD, treatment options remain limited and are often ineffective.
CBD is a major component of cannabis but does not cause a high like THC. Scientists suggest it interacts with receptors in the body and brain to potentially deliver therapeutic effects without intoxication.
The recent study explored data from three placebo-controlled clinical trials focused on adolescents and children with ASD. It involved a total of 276 youngsters aged 5 to 21 (average age of 10.5 years). About 78 percent of the participants were male. CBD was administered at an initial dose of 1 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, gradually increased to as much as 10 mg/kg.
The research showed that CBD extract led to reduced problem behaviors, lowered anxiety, better sleep, and improvements in social interaction. Notably, these benefits came without an increased risk of side effects. The effects were similar between those taking CBD and those given a placebo, suggesting it is generally safe for use in this group.
European Psychiatric Association President Professor Geert Dom welcomed the results, noting the frustration many families and doctors feel due to the lack of effective therapies for ASD. He expressed hope that findings like these could spark more research and eventually lead to better treatment strategies for the autism community.
Despite the promising results, the researchers pointed out that their analysis had some limitations, including a limited number of trial studies and relatively few participants. They noted that larger, high-quality trial studies are still needed to fully understand the long-term safety and effectiveness of CBD in treating autism symptoms.
Such studies are helping to provide further proof of the therapeutic potential of medical marijuana products from enterprises like Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: CGC) (TSX: WEED) and other industry actors as research documents how various cannabis compounds can help in addressing different symptoms.
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