What does science say about CBD (cannabidiol) and Autism?
- We don’t say yes or no. We show what has been studied.
- Working in a lab or in animals does not mean it works in people.
- Don’t stop or change your treatment without talking to your doctor.
What has been studied
- Lab studies (cells)Tests on cells in a dish.Source: PubMed · as of 6 Nov 2026 · Open the search at PubMed0studies
- Animal studiesTests in mice, rats or other animals.Source: PubMed · as of 6 Nov 2026 · Open the search at PubMed21studies
- Studies in peoplePublished studies with human participants.Source: PubMed · as of 6 Nov 2026 · Open the search at PubMed35studies
- Registered trials in peopleTrials entered in a public registry, whatever their result.ClinicalTrials.gov: 5 · as of 6 Nov 2026 · Open the search at ClinicalTrials.govEU CTIS: 0 · as of 6 Nov 2026 · Open the search at EU CTISBy phase:Phase 2 (3)No phase (1)Phase 1 (1)By status:Recruiting (3)Running, not recruiting (1)Completed (1)Countries (7):United States (3)Israel (2)Australia (1)Canada (1)Germany (1)Spain (1)United Kingdom (1)With a linked publication (results): 1 of 5The registries do not tell us here whether results were posted; a linked publication is shown instead.5trials
- Approved treatmentApproved by a medicines regulator for this disease.No
Examples of what we found
The trials
Phase 1
Cannabidiol (CBD) in Adults With ASD
Recruiting · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT05015439Phase 2
Trial of Cannabidiol to Treat Severe Behavior Problems in Children With Autism
Running, not recruiting · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT04517799Phase 2
Trial to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Cannabidiol Oral Solution (GWP42003-P; CBD-OS) in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Completed · Australia, Canada, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT04745026
Thinking of paying for it? Read this first
- Ask for published results. Stories, thank-you letters and "patients report" are not results. Ask where the results were published.
- Know what you pay for. Ask in writing: what exactly is included, who gets the money, and what happens if you stop.
- Ask your own doctor first. Some products interfere with chemotherapy, radiation or other medicines. Your treating doctor can check this.
- Do not stop standard treatment for it. Do not stop or delay your treatment without talking to your care team.
Other treatments people ask about
- Cannabis and cannabinoids (CBD, THC)Step: Large trials
- High-dose vitamin CStep: Large trials
- Ketogenic dietStep: Large trials
- MelatoninStep: Large trials
- MetforminStep: Large trials
- StatinsStep: Large trials
- Vitamin DStep: Large trials
- Curcumin (turmeric)Step: Reports in people
- HyperthermiaStep: Reports in people
- Fasting and fasting-mimicking dietStep: Animal studies only
Not medical advice. Talk to the care team before changing treatment.