Written from the studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11.. Every number below comes from a study listed under Sources.
What people read
Posts online say that CBD (cannabidiol) helps with autism.
What has been studied
- 15In people13 randomised trials
- 9In animals
- 0Only in the lab
What the studies found
CBD (cannabidiol) has been tested in randomised trials in people with autism.
We found 46 published papers on CBD (cannabidiol) and autism. They were published between 2018 and 2026.
15 of them are studies in people (13 randomised trials), 8 are reviews, 9 are studies in animals and 0 are studies only in the lab.
The most important ones are listed under Sources.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- Cannabidiol and fronto-parietal EEG connectivity in autistic children.2026 · Cereb Cortex · Randomised trial
- Effects of Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis Oil on Facial Expression Recognition and Theory of Mind in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.2026 · Autism Res · Randomised trial
- Cannabidiol blood metabolite levels after cannabidiol treatment are associated with broadband EEG changes and improvements in visuomotor and non-verbal cognitive abilities in boys with autism requiring higher levels of support.2026 · Transl Psychiatry · Randomised trial
- Effects of Cannabidiol on Social Relating, Anxiety, and Parental Stress in Autistic Children: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.2026 · Autism Res · Randomised trial
- Cannabidiol (CBD) Treatment for Severe Problem Behaviors in Autistic Boys: A Randomized Clinical Trial.2026 · J Autism Dev Disord · Randomised trial
- Cannabidiol blood metabolite levels after cannabidiol treatment are associated with broadband EEG changes and improvements in visuomotor and non-verbal cognitive abilities in boys with autism requiring higher levels of support.2025 · medRxiv · Randomised trial
- Cannabidiol for treatment of irritability and aggressive behavior in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: background and methods of the cannabidiol study in children with autism spectrum disorder study.2025 · Int J Clin Trials · Randomised trial
- Cannabidiol for treatment of Irritability and Aggressive Behavior in Children and Adolescents with ASD: Background and Methods of the CAnnabidiol Study in Children with Autism Spectrum DisordEr (CASCADE) Study.2024 · medRxiv · Randomised trial
- A Phase-2 Open-Label Trial of Cannabidiol to Treat Core and Associated Symptoms of Autism in Children and Adolescents Without Intellectual Disability.2026 · J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol · Study in people
- CBD-Rich Cannabis Therapy in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder May Improve Symptoms of Hyperactivity and Attention Deficit: An Open-Label Study.2026 · Curr Neuropharmacol · Study in people
- Behavioral pharmacology of isolated cannabidiol in animal models of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review.2026 · Psychopharmacology (Berl) · Review
- The Evolving Role of Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis in People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.2024 · Int J Mol Sci · Review
- Therapeutic potential of CBD in Autism Spectrum Disorder.2024 · Int Rev Neurobiol · Review
- Cannabidiol for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder: hope or hype?2022 · Psychopharmacology (Berl) · Review
- A scoping review of the use of cannabidiol in psychiatric disorders.2022 · Psychiatry Res · Review
- CBD-enriched cannabis for autism spectrum disorder: an experience of a single center in Turkey and reviews of the literature.2021 · J Cannabis Res · Review
- Integrated network pharmacology and lipidomics provide insights into potential mechanisms underlying the effects of cannabidiol in a rat model of autism.2026 · Psychiatry Res · In animals
- Nose-to-brain administration of cannabidiol-loaded polymeric micelles improves the core behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.2026 · Bioact Mater · In animals
- Comparative Analysis of Cannabidiol and Risperidone on Behavioral and Neurochemical Outcomes, and Neurodevelopment Markers in a Zebrafish Model of Embryonic Exposure to Sodium Valproate.2025 · Autism Res · In animals
- Nanoemulsions with cannabidiol reduced autistic-like behaviors and reversed decreased hippocampus viable cells and cerebral cortex neuronal death in a prenatal valproic acid rat model.2025 · An Acad Bras Cienc · In animals
- Acute cannabidiol treatment reverses behavioral impairments induced by embryonic valproic acid exposure in male mice.2025 · Pharmacol Biochem Behav · In animals
- Effects of Cannabidiol Isolated or in Association With Risperidone in an Animal Model of Autism.2025 · Dev Neurobiol · In animals
- Correction to "Effects of Cannabidiol on Social Relating, Anxiety, and Parental Stress in Autistic Children: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial".2026 · Autism Res · Other paper
- Long-term follow-up of children with autism spectrum disorder and severe treatment-resistant behavioral symptoms treated with purified cannabidiol.2026 · Pharmacol Biochem Behav · Other paper
- Cannabidiol in autism: Clinical pharmacology priorities for trial design.2026 · Br J Clin Pharmacol · Other paper
- Purified cannabidiol leads to improvement of severe treatment-resistant behavioral symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder.2025 · Pharmacol Biochem Behav · Other paper
