| Study Title | Key Findings | Route | Dose | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
