A recent study in Israel explored the possibility of using CBD to help treat co-morbidities of autism.

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is described by the National Institute of Health as follows:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is said to be a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association used to diagnose mental disorders, people with ASD have:

•Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
•Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
•Symptoms that hurt the person’s ability to function properly in school, work, and other areas of life

Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml#:~:text=Autism%20spectrum%20disorder%20(ASD)%20is,first%20two%20years%20of%20life.

How can CBD help Autism?

This small study included 53 children with ASD, ages 4-22, using cannabidiol for an average of 66 days. Participants used a daily dose of 90 mg of CBD.

Parents reported their children saw improved benefits such as fewer self-injury and rage attacks, fewer hyperactivity symptoms, improved sleep, and less anxiety.

Adverse effects like diarrhea and loss of sleep were mild.

The researchers concluded:

Children with ASD commonly have comorbid symptoms such as aggression, hyperactivity and anxiety. There is an increase in the use of cannabidiol in children with ASD. Based on parents’ reports, our findings suggest that cannabidiol may be effective in improving ASD comorbid symptoms; However, CBD efficacy and safety should be further evaluated in children with ASD in large-scale clinical trials.

Should I try CBD to help with Autism?

CBD is not regulated by the FDA, so if you decide to try it to improve your life, whether with autism, anxiety, sleep, or anything else, we recommend you follow these guidelines:

• Start small and work your way up
• Use high quality, independently tested CBD
• ALWAYS consult your doctor
• Be mindful of dosages: you may not see results with small amounts, so be willing to try higher doses of CBD before giving up!