Clinical Study Demonstrates High Effectiveness of Cannabis Extract in Autism Therapy
A new study published by Israeli scientists in the journal Molecular Autism shows that cannabinoids can be quite effective in treating and alleviating the severity of symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders. This claim is supported by clinical trial data involving 150 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, who consumed a natural cannabis extract over a 12-week period.
Study Design and Results
The participants were divided into two equal groups. One group regularly consumed a cannabis extract containing CBD and THC in a 20:1 ratio, while the other group received a placebo. After the first stage of the experiment, there was a four-week washout period to allow cannabinoids to leave the participants’ systems. The groups were then switched for the second stage, which followed the same protocol and also lasted 12 weeks.
According to a report by NORML on the study, the authors noted a significant reduction in symptoms such as aggression and irritability among participants who consumed standardized doses of the cannabis extract for at least several consecutive days. In addition to its effects on emotional state and behavior, the extract also produced an unexpected benefit: it suppressed appetite, which helped some participants lose excess weight during the trial. This weight loss effect was especially observed among patients who had previously used antipsychotic medications, which are known to increase appetite and slow metabolism, often leading to weight gain.
Statistical Improvements
According to the researchers, using the CGI-I scale (a statistical tool for assessing subjective improvement in patients with psychological disorders), the average condition of patients in the test group improved by 49%, compared to 21% in the placebo group. On the SRS scale (which measures social responsiveness), the test group showed an improvement of 14.9 points, versus only 3.6 points in the control group.
Growing Interest and Ongoing Research
Medical professionals worldwide have long been interested in the potential use of cannabis extracts or their active compounds (especially CBD) to modulate symptoms characteristic of autism spectrum disorders. However, previous studies and trials in this area have been more limited in scope and sample size. Currently, some U.S. states allow doctors to use cannabinoids in autism therapy at their discretion, with official consent from parents or guardians.
In 2019, Dr. Eric Hollander, director of the Autism and Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Program at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York, announced a large-scale clinical trial on the use of CBD and related cannabinoids to modulate autism symptoms. This study is currently ongoing.
Preliminary Findings and Cautions
“Preliminary experiments conducted on animals exhibiting behavioral abnormalities similar to autism symptoms show that substances like CBD and CBDV have a noticeable positive effect on social functioning, suppress stress and aggression, improve cognitive abilities and memory, and reduce compulsive and repetitive behaviors,” Dr. Hollander noted. “Overall, we are also seeing similar improvements among human participants, but it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about the safety, effectiveness, and long-term effects of such treatment.”