Study finds CBD and THC “considerably improve” autism-associated symptoms

27 Sep 2023 --- A daily dosage of the active ingredients cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) could significantly improve the life quality of people living with autism, according to a recent study.

The researchers state that the findings are novel because they present a clear link between CBD and THC and the amelioration of core and comorbid symptoms of autism. Less desirable side effects were also found to be mild and infrequent.

“Eighteen patients started with a CBD-rich FCE (full-spectrum cannabis extract) titrating protocol, and in three of them, the CBD-rich (CBD-dominant) FCE was gradually complemented with low doses of a THC-rich (THC-dominant) FCE based on observed effects,” the researchers state.

“Two other patients have used throughout treatment a blend of two FCEs, one CBD-rich and the other THC-rich.”

Improved quality of life
Conducted by researchers in Brazil and published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, the study offers a retrospective analysis of the responses of 20 individuals diagnosed with autism to treatment with full-spectrum cannabis extracts in an individually tailored dosage regimen.

The active ingredient extracts were administered orally in the form of drops and most participants, 80%, received the treatment for at least six months. 

The effects were recorded in an online survey through which the participant or their caregiver reported on the 13 core and comorbid symptoms outlined by researchers. 

When reporting on the 13 symptom categories associated with autism and considered in the study, on average, participants identified 11 symptoms as improved following the treatment. They also reported two as not being affected or changed. No symptoms were found to have worsened due to the study.  

Results and implications 
The symptom category where the most impressive perceived enhancements were documented is “overall patient’s quality of life.” 70% of participants reported considerable improvement and a further 25% moderate improvement. 

The study found that 95% of participants and their families experienced improved quality of life.

The second and third categories of symptoms best affected by FCEs are the overall family’s quality of life (95% considerable or moderate improvement) and sleep issues (85% considerable or moderate improvement).

The majority of participants, over 50%, also reported considerable or moderate improvement in their intellectual and cognitive performance deficits. These include sadness, melancholy and bad moods, impaired motor development and motor coordination, positive mood states and impaired communication and personal interactions, both verbal and non-verbal. 

They also reported improvements for more severe symptoms, such as seizures, abnormal behaviors in general and the effects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The symptoms in which lower improvements were noted are avoidance or restrictions of food intake and lack of independence for daily activities. 

Toward a new treatment
The overwhelmingly positive findings and negligible adverse side effects of the application of CBD and THC have led researchers to recommend using the active ingredients to improve the lives of people with autism.

The study also reveals that the eating disorder allotriophagy (Pica), defined as the desire to eat non-food items, can be treated with FCEs.

“Based on our findings, we propose guidelines for individually tailored dosage regimens that may be adapted to locally available qualified FCEs and guide further clinical trials,” the study says. 

In the UK, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) authorized the application of CBD products in March of this year.

By Milana Nikolova