Summary: A study reports that more than 80% of parents observed significant or moderate improvements in their child’s autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms after treatment with medical cannabis.
Source: Ben-Gurion University.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and Soroka University Medical Center evaluated medical cannabis as a potential treatment for autism spectrum disorders in children and adolescents and found it to be generally well tolerated, safe, and associated with substantial symptom improvements for many patients.
In research published in Scientific Reports, Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider of the BGU–Soroka Clinical Cannabis Research Institute reports that “more than 80 percent of the parents reported significant or moderate improvement in their child.” The researchers examined real-world outcomes for pediatric ASD patients treated with medical cannabis under a structured treatment program.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, behavior, social interaction, and daily functioning. Its presentation varies widely across individuals, which has led clinicians and families to seek a broad range of therapeutic approaches. Recent anecdotal reports suggested potential benefits of cannabis-derived products for some ASD symptoms, motivating this prospective analysis of clinical experience.
Dr. Gal Meiri of the Negev Autism Center explains the study approach: “We analyzed prospectively collected data from 188 ASD patients treated with medical cannabis between 2015 and 2017. Most patients received a cannabis oil formulation containing 30% cannabidiol (CBD) and 1.5% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Primary outcomes included symptom changes, a global assessment by caregivers, and side effects, all measured at six months using structured questionnaires.”
After six months of treatment, 82.4% of the original cohort remained in active treatment. Of those assessed at six months, 30% of patients were reported by their parents to have experienced a significant improvement and 53.7% a moderate improvement in overall condition. Only about 15% showed slight or no change. These findings indicate that the majority of families observed meaningful benefits during the observation period.
The study also measured specific functional outcomes. Quality of life, mood, and the ability to perform activities of daily living were assessed before treatment and at six months. The proportion of patients reported to have a good quality of life rose from 31.3% at baseline to 66.8% at six months. Similarly, the share of patients described as having a positive mood increased from 42% before treatment to 63.5% after six months.
Improvements in daily functioning included greater independence with dressing and personal hygiene. Prior to treatment, only 26.4% of patients could dress and shower without difficulty; after six months, 42.9% were reported to have improved their independence in these activities. Sleep and concentration also showed measurable gains: good sleep rose from 3.3% at baseline to 24.7% during treatment, while reports of good concentration increased from 0% to 14%.
The study recorded adverse effects, noting that 25.2% of patients experienced at least one side effect. The most commonly reported side effect was restlessness, affecting 6.6% of patients. No serious safety concerns were identified in the short-term six-month follow-up, but the authors emphasize that ongoing monitoring and careful clinical oversight are important.
Dr. Victor Novack of the BGU–Soroka Clinical Cannabis Research Institute commented on the findings: “While this study suggests that cannabis treatment is generally safe and may improve ASD symptoms and quality of life for many patients, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials are essential to fully understand the efficacy, dosing, and safety profile of cannabis-based therapies in ASD.”
Funding: This study was funded by Tikun Olam Ltd.
Source: Andrew Lavin – Ben-Gurion University
Publisher: Organized by NeuroscienceNews.com
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is reported as public domain.
Original Research: Open access research titled “Real life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism: Analysis of Safety and Efficacy” by Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider, Raphael Mechoulam, Naama Saban, Gal Meiri & Victor Novack in Scientific Reports. Published January 17, 2019.
Real life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism: Analysis of Safety and Efficacy
Global rates of diagnosed autism spectrum disorders have increased, and anecdotal reports have suggested therapeutic potential for cannabis products in managing ASD-related symptoms. This study characterizes the patient population receiving medical cannabis and reports on safety and efficacy outcomes. Prospective data from 188 ASD patients treated between 2015 and 2017 were analyzed; most received a cannabis oil formulation containing 30% CBD and 1.5% THC. Primary outcomes at six months included symptom inventories, caregiver global assessments, and side effects collected via structured questionnaires. At six months, 82.4% of patients remained in active treatment; of those evaluated, 30.1% reported significant improvement, 53.7% moderate improvement, 6.4% slight improvement, and 8.6% no change. Side effects were reported by 25.2% of patients, most commonly restlessness (6.6%). The results indicate that, in this real-world cohort, cannabis-based treatment for ASD appeared well tolerated and was associated with symptom relief and functional gains for many patients, though controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm these observations.
Ben-Gurion University. “Medical Marijuana Relieves Symptoms in Children with Autism.” NeuroscienceNews. January 31, 2019.