While scientific studies are underway, families report that CBD oils can reduce stress for people on the autism spectrum. Recent studies conducted by the University of California, San Diego suggest that CBD may help relieve other symptoms that are common in autism and alleviate many of the negative symptoms associated with autism. Furthermore, a case study suggested that CBD could be an effective treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and correlated improvement in communication and sleep problems.
ASD is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that affects people of all ages and includes social communication challenges, restlessness, attention deficits, and challenges with sensory dysfunction. People with ASD also suffer from anxiety disorders, and CBD may be beneficial in treating them. CBD has been found to lessen aggression, alleviate side symptoms such as epilepsy, and nausea, and help lessen repetitive behaviors.
CBD is not a cure for the core symptoms of autism but rather a way to help alleviate some of the issues associated with the disorder. In addition to helping address the core symptoms of autism, it can also help alleviate many secondary symptoms such as hyperactivity, restlessness, aggression or irritability. While it is not clear if CBD can cure autism itself or even provide any long-term benefits for autistic patients, studies suggest that it could be an effective treatment option for autism spectrum disorders by helping to reduce certain behavioral problems.
CBD-enriched cannabis has been found to have medicinal purposes in treating children with autism and its extracts have been shown to be effective in providing relief from severe behavioral problems. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of CBD-rich cannabis extracts for the treatment of children with autism is important, as it is still not legalized for use in most countries. Several case studies have reported that the high tolerability and efficacy of CBD, or cannabidiol, has responded positively in some children with severe behavioral problems when used in conjunction with other treatments.
A medical cannabis clinic in Israel began using CBD-rich cannabis to treat children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2017. This clinic has treated 60 children with a combination of THC oil and high CBD cannabis oil formulated into an oral solution. After the patient began CBD treatments, they reported a decrease in disruptive behavioral problems and improved communication skills.