Scientists in Haifa, Israel have developed a new path for understanding how cannabis-extracted CBD helps children with autism. They have found that preparations of CBD-rich cannabis products or extracts reduce anxiety and other autistic symptoms in children, according to data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Ayelet David and Eynat Gal led the study out of Haifa University.
Israeli scientists assessed the efficacy of CBD-dominant cannabis extracts in a cohort of 65 children (ages 5-12 years) with autism. Study participants consumed customized doses of cannabis extracts for six months.
Related: A look at cannabis and autism
“We observed significant differences in the autistic children’s overall anxiety and in some anxiety subtypes. Significant improvements were observed in RRBI [restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests], including the total score, and specifically in compulsive, ritualistic, and sameness behaviors,” reported the researchers who concluded that “Our study suggests positive implications for CBD-rich cannabis treatment in alleviating anxiety and RRBI symptoms in autistic children.
“We strongly recommend further double-blind, placebo-controlled studies using standardized assessments to validate these findings.”
The findings are consistent with other studies which find that cannabinoid (or CBD) treatment provides symptom improvements in children with autism. We have consulted with Dr. Alan Shackleford, a leading physician in medical cannabis in the United States and Israel, who has also said to us in personal communication that he believes some amount of THC is needed to see an effect.
Observational studies have also shown that the use of cannabis can provide benefits to adults with autism. In 2023, a randomized trial from Israel compared CBD-enriched extract (20:1 CBD:THC) and purified cannabinoids in the same ratio to placebo in a three-arm crossover design in 150 patients with autism aged 5 to 21 years.
The authors reported tolerability with improvements in disruptive behaviours and core autism symptoms.
