Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex, lifelong developmental condition that becomes apparent during early childhood. It can impact a person’s social skills, communication, learning ability, relationships, and self-regulation. Autism is known as a spectrum disorder that affects people differently and to varying degrees.

About 33% of people diagnosed with Autism experience seizures. Other symptoms can include anxiety, ADHD, OCD, cognitive dysfunction, depression, insomnia, loss of appetite, repetition in language or movement, and nonverbal communication. While this neurobehavioral condition is not fully understood and there is no known cure, early recognition and treatment is vital to helping the person receive the support and care they need.

Here's what the research says about how CBD helps Autism.

IsraelNationalNews.com/News/News.aspx/249591

Israeli research shows CBD has 80% success rate in reducing problematic behavior among children with autism spectrum disorders.

80% of the children’s parents who participated in the study reported a decrease in problematic behavior, with 62% percent reporting that their child's behavior improved significantly.

The study also found that half of the children who participated in the study also reported an improvement in their level of communication, with 40% saying that their anxiety symptoms had significantly improved.

Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31736860

Among the 15 patients who adhered to the treatment (10 non-epileptic and five epileptic) only one patient showed lack of improvement in autistic symptoms.

After 6-9 months of treatment, most patients, including epileptic and non-epileptic, showed some level of improvement in more than one of the eight symptom categories evaluated.

Link.Springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-015-0371-9

The eCB [Endocannabinoid] system, and cannabidiol [CBD] in particular, is known to mediate anxiety and related phenotypes. Anecdotal reports of cannabis use in autism suggest a reduction in anxiety-related symptoms.

eCB system constitutes a relatively less investigated piece of a puzzle that brings together 4 phenotypic features known to be atypical in autism: 

1) social reward responsivity; 

2) neural development; 

3) circadian rhythm;

4) anxiety-related symptoms. 

Therefore, the potential therapeutic exploitation of distinct elements of this system (e.g., receptor targets, biosynthetic and hydrolytic enzymes, and transmembrane/intracellular transporters) seems immense. 

ScienceDaily.com/releases/2013/04/130411123852.htm

The findings implicate specific molecules, called endocannabinoids, in the development of some autism cases and point to potential treatment strategies.

The results also indicate that targeting components of the endocannabinoid signaling system may help reverse autism symptoms.

Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23585028 

We investigated the involvement of cannabinoid system in PBMCs from autistic children.

Our data indicate CB2 receptors as potential therapeutic targets for the pharmacological management of autism care.

Beyondthc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/GrinspoonAutism.pdf

Parents of some autistic children report that cannabis eases behavioral problems more effectively than conventional pharmaceuticals. Their anecdotal evidence should be taken seriously by medical researchers.

Nature.com/articles/s41598-018-37570-y

Cannabidiol effects might include alleviation of psychosis, anxiety, facilitation of REM sleep and suppressing seizure activity. 

Cannabidiol was found to enhance oxytocin and vasopressin release during activities involving social interaction16.

Bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/3/e034362  

In children, the main indication for CBD is drug-resistant epilepsy, with supportive evidence emerging for its effectiveness as an adjuvant treatment to conventional antiepileptic medications for some specific epileptic syndromes.

AutismParentingMagazine.com/cbd-oil-autism 

“CBD can [help with] stress for people on the Autism spectrum, as well as lessen aggression, self-injurious behaviors, and anxiety surrounding social interactions.

CBD oil can help children with co-occurring seizures. 

Many children with epilepsy find the same (or better) relief from their symptoms as they do with traditional anti-anxiety and anticonvulsant medications with the added bonus of fewer side effects. Researchers are still working to identify how CBD oil can help anxiety in autism, but for many families, the anecdotal evidence is enough for now.”

ProjectCBD.org/news/quick-hits/therapeutic-promise-cbd-autism 

The Autism Society of America and Wholistic Research and Education Foundation co-costed this educational webinar to discuss whether CBD indeed holds a therapeutic promise for Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

This webinar brings together renowned MDs and Researchers to explore just how medicinal cannabis therapies can alleviate symptoms in children with autism, and highlights the latest research-driven data driving a groundbreaking multi-disciplinary study.

Leafly.com/news/health/research-cbd-autism-therapy-promising-results

Study: With CBD, 80% of Children With Autism Saw Improvement

• 80% of parents noted a decrease in problematic behaviors, with 62% reporting significant improvements.
• Half of the children had improved communication.
• 40% reported significant decreases in anxiety. 

Healthline.com/health-news/parents-using-cbd-to-treat-kids-with-autism 

Of 547 parents of children with ASD surveyed, 40.4 percent had given their children CBD. 

These parents claimed it helped with impulsivity and short attention spans, hyperactivity, aggression, difficulty sleeping, and other symptoms associated with ASD.