Study Shows CBD’s Autism Treatment Potential

A recently published (Aug 26th) case study on CBD’s potential to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has revealed promising results, including marked improvements in several ASD-related symptoms.

University of Toronto and Wilfrid Laurier University (also in Toronto) researchers teamed up with a local family medicine/chronic pain doctor to conduct the case study on a nine-year-old male participant who was diagnosed with nonverbal ASD at the age of three.

Like many children with nonverbal ASD, the young boy’s behavior reportedly included frequent, sudden fits of anger, often resulting in acts of physical violence like kicking and scratching.

At the age of 7.5, he began taking CBD  at the behest of a medical cannabis clinic, where he was administered low-THC, albeit full-spectrum CBD oil.

The dose was slowly increased from 4mg a day (2mg twice a day) to 20mg a day, which “reached a therapeutic response” according to the researchers.

Summarizing this response, the authors noted that the patient displayed “reduced negative behaviors, better sleep, and improved communication” because of the CBD treatment, adding that he showed “behavioral and cognitive improvements with no side effects reported.”

Specifically, the authors listed these metrics as evidence for the efficacy of the CBD treatment in this case:

• Self-injurious behaviors reduced
• Inappropriate behaviors reduced
• Verbal communication slightly improved (able to follow simple instructions)
• Significantly improved sleep time (from 4-5 hours to 8-10 hours)
• Improved academic performance
• Less time required in the sensory room at school
• More consistent eating patterns

In light of the positive results, the conclusion of the case study called for greater research (including clinical studies) to sharpen the parameters around effective doses for ASD patients, how different demographics of ASD patients respond to CBD treatment, the most effective type of CBD extract/concentration to use, and more.