| Study Title | Key Findings | Route | Dose | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The differential effects of medicinal cannabis on mental health: A systematic review | This meta-analysis on the use of cannabis based medicine (CBM) for treating mental health conditions found that high doses of cannabidiol (CBD) resulted in acute relief in anxiety, and CBD + ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) combinations alleviated withdrawal symptoms in cannabis use disorder and improved sleep. CBMs may provide short-term relief for certain symptoms, however, they are not a cure or without mental health risks. | CLINICAL META-ANALYSIS OR SYSTEMATIC REVIEW Clinical Relevance: Medicinal cannabis may provide relief for some mental health symptoms, but it is not a cure or without mental health risks. Adverse Events: THC was associated most with dose-dependent adverse events. No study found long-lasting medicinal effects or improvement. |
2025 | |
| Cannabidiol (CBD) Treatment for Severe Problem Behaviors in Autistic Boys: A Randomized Clinical Trial | This double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial found that while cannabidiol (CBD) was well-tolerated and showed clinically observed behavioral improvements in two-thirds of autistic boys with severe problem behaviors, no significant differences were found on primary outcome measures compared to placebo, highlighting the importance of placebo control and medication interactions in future research. | , Oral (Ingestion) | CLINICAL TRIAL Study Dosing Objective: Effective Dose, Safety Profile, Cannabinoid Ratio: (Pharma CBD only) Dosage Form: CBD oral solution Dosing Regimen: Week 1: 5 mg/kg/day, divided into 2 doses; Week 2: 10 mg/kg/day, divided into 2 doses; Weeks 3–8: 20 mg/kg/day, divided into 2 doses. Starting Dose: 5 mg/kg/day, divided into 2 doses Maximum Dose: 20mg/day Dosing Range: 5mg/day-20mg/day Treatment Duration: 8 weeks Clinical Relevance: Autism: safety, tolerability, and behavior effects in autistic boys. CBD had an acceptable safety profile. CBD was not found to be clearly effective at reducing the broad range of behaviors. Blinded clinical impressions showed almost 2/3 of the participants had behavioral improvements with CBD; 1/3 showed either no change or improvement on placebo |
2025 |
| Clinical and Family Implications of Cannabidiol (CBD)-Dominant Full-Spectrum Phytocannabinoid Extract in Children and Adolescents with Moderate to Severe Non-Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): An Observational Study on Neurobehavioral Management | Data suggests that full-spectrum CBD-dominant extract [33:1 (CBD: THC)] is a potentially safe and effective option for central and associated signs and symptoms of moderate to severe ASD in children and adolescents (5–18 years old). In addition, treatment may increase the overall quality of life for this patient population and their families. | Oral (Ingestion) | CLINICAL TRIAL Cannabinoid Ratio: (CBD : THC) 33 : 1 Dosage Form: The full spectrum oil was provided by Nabix 10.000 (by FarmaUSA) [100 mg/mL of CBD and 3 mg/mL of THC (or 33:1 CBD-THC)] Dosing Regimen: Starting with 1 mg/kg/day of CBD (0.03 mg/kg/day of THC) Average doses of 3.11 mg/kg/day of CBD (0.09 mg/kg/day of THC) Starting Dose: 1 mg/kg/day of CBD (0.03 mg/kg/day of THC) Titration: Individualized and titrated to effects Treatment Duration: Average treatment duration was 6.6 months |
2024 |
| Cannabinoids as alleviating treatment for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in children and adolescents: a systematic review | Based on this review, cannabinoids to treat symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not clear. | CLINICAL META-ANALYSIS OR SYSTEMATIC REVIEW Study Dosing Objective: Effective Dose, Safety Profile Established Protocol: No effective dose Cannabinoid Ratio: (CBD : THC) 20 : 1 Dosage Form: whole plant extract and the purified extract contained CBD and THC, or placebo Dosing Regimen: Aran et al. study: 1 mg/kg/day (CBD), and it was increased by 1 mg/kg/day (CBD) every second day up to 10 mg/kg/day (CBD) or 7.5 mg/kg/day (CBD) Bar-Lev Schleider et al. study: 15 mg CBD and 0.75 mg THC, three times a day Hacohen et al. study: one drop a day (each containing 0.3 mg THC and 5.7 mg CBD) up to 10 mg/kg/day Titration: gradually increased depending on effect, targeted symptoms, and tolerability Dosing Range: 1-10 mg/kg/day CBD Treatment Duration: 7-13 months Clinical Relevance: Based on this review, cannabinoids to treat symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not clear. Adverse Events: No severe adverse effects, and most adverse effects were statistically non-significant: restlessness, sleepiness, psychoactive effect, increased appetite, lack of appetite, digestion problems, and dry mouth one participant experienced a psychotic event |
2024 | |
| The Evolving Role of Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis in People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review | For participants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treatment with cannabidiol (CBD) produced notable improvements in behavioral symptoms, social responsiveness, and communication, but cognitive benefits were less consistent. | CLINICAL META-ANALYSIS OR SYSTEMATIC REVIEW Cannabinoid Ratio: (CBD : THC) 20 : 1 Maximum Dose: 420 mg of CBD and 21 mg of THC per day Dosing Range: 0.1 to 10 mg/kg of CBD and from 0.05 to 0.5 mg/kg of THC, Clinical Relevance: Cannabidiol (CBD) improved behavioral symptoms, social responsiveness, and communication in subjects with ASD. Adverse Events: mild adverse effects observed |
2024 | |
| Children and adolescents with ASD treated with CBD-rich cannabis exhibit significant improvements particularly in social symptoms: an open label study | This study assessed the effects of cannabidiol-rich cannabis given to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and found that overall there were significant improvements in their social communication skills. | Oral (Ingestion) | 0.3 mg THC:5.7 mg CBD per drop CBD up to 10 mg/kg/day (or total of 400 mg/day) THC up to 0.5 mg/kg/day (or total of 20 mg/day) |
2022 |
| CBD-enriched cannabis for autism spectrum disorder: an experience of a single center in Turkey and reviews of the literature | Resulting data showed that the administration of lower doses of CBD with trace amounts of THC appear to be a promising approach to manage behavioral problems associated with autism. More specifically, the authors report a decrease in behavioral problems (10 patients), an increase in expressive language (7 patients), improved cognition (4 patients), and an increase in social interaction (3 patients) for example. | Oral (Ingestion) | CBD 0.3–2 mg/kg/day (with a maximum of 0.3% THC). |
2021 |
| Modulation of striatal functional connectivity differences in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder in a single-dose randomized trial of cannabidivarin | Resulting data suggests that the liquid oral use of CBDV (600mg) can modulate atypical striatal circuitry towards neurotypical function in this patient population. | Oral (Ingestion) | 600 mg |
2021 |
| The Potential of Salivary Lipid-Based Cannabis-Responsive Biomarkers to Evaluate Medical Cannabis Treatment in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder | This observational study of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) aimed to detect lipid metabolites in saliva to be able to assess cannabis responsiveness and allow for quantification of future studies on the efficacy of medical cannabis in treating patients with ASD. | THC (0.05 to 50 mg) CBD ( 7.5 to 200 mg) |
2021 | |
| The effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on low-frequency activity and functional connectivity in the brain of adults with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | The results suggest that, especially in ASD, CBD alters regional fALFF and FC in/between regions consistently implicated in ASD. | Oral (Ingestion) | CBD (600 mg) |
2019 |
| Effects of cannabidiol on brain excitation and inhibition systems; a randomised placebo-controlled single dose trial during magnetic resonance spectroscopy in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder | The findings demostrate that CBD can ‘shift’ levels of Glx and GABA+. These metabolites contribute to the regulation of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in both the typical and the autistic brain. However, the study also demonstrated that the atypical (autistic) brain reacts differently to CBD challenge of GABA+. These findings that the GABAergic system is distinct in ASD, but can be shifted, is relevant both to an understanding of causal mechanisms and to the discovery of treatment targets in ASD. | Oral (Ingestion) | CBD (600 mg) |
2019 |
| Effects of CBD-Enriched Cannabis sativa Extract on Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms: An Observational Study of 18 Participants Undergoing Compassionate Use | Results of this trial suggest that CBD-enriched cannabis extract may ameliorate multiple ASD-related symptoms with a significant increase in quality of life for both ASD patients and their caretakers. | Oral (Ingestion) | CBD (25 or 50 mg) and THC (~0.34 or 0.68 mg) |
2019 |
| Oral Cannabidiol Use in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder to Treat Related Symptoms and Co-morbidities | Pediatric patients with ASD received CBD (oil) for an average duration of 66 days. Specific reports indicate that self-injury and rage attacks improved in 67.6% and worsened in 8.8%. Hyperactivity symptoms improved in 68.4%. Sleep problems improved in 71.4% and worsened in 4.7%. Anxiety improved in 47.1% and worsened in 23.5%. Noted adverse effects included somnolence and change in appetite were mild. | Oral (Ingestion) | CBD (Recommended daily dose of 16 mg/kg (maximal daily dose 600 mg), and THC (daily dose of 0.8 mg/kg (maximal daily dose of 40 mg)) |
2019 |
| Effects of cannabidivarin (CBDV) on brain excitation and inhibition systems in adults with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a single dose trial during magnetic resonance spectroscopy | This study found that cannabidivarin (CBDV) targets neurotypical and autistic adult brains in mostly the same way, but the individual response to CBDV in the autistic brains was more variable depending on initial glutamate and glutamine levels. This supports further understanding of how CBDV affects the brain, but not necessarily on how it affects the autistic brain. | Oral (Ingestion) | CBDV (600 mg) |
2019 |
