“Pharmacological interventions that treat core and co-occurring features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are a persistent unmet need.
As such, use of cannabis to manage ASD features is common in the autistic community. Yet, few studies have examined the acute effects of cannabis on symptoms associated with ASD. Therefore, we measured changes in symptom ratings from before to after cannabis use in a sample of 111 self-identified autistic adults.
Anonymized archival data sourced from the Strainprint® app were analyzed. A subset of tracked information that reflected changes in core and co-occurring symptoms associated with ASD (i.e., Sensory Sensitivity, Repetitive Behaviors, Mental Control, and Negative Affect) were used to assess the impacts of cannabis on symptom severity.
Overall, symptom severity ratings were reduced by 73.09% from before to after cannabis use. More severe symptoms were associated with greater reductions in severity ratings after use.
Higher doses predicted greater reductions in severity of Repetitive Behaviors, Mental Control, and Negative Affect but dose of cannabis used to manage all symptoms remained static across time.
Results from this first empirical examination of the perceived acute effects of cannabis in autistic adults suggest that cannabis provides temporary relief from symptoms associated with ASD.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41233406/
“The present study represents the first to demonstrate acute perceived beneficial effects of inhaled cannabis on core and co-occurring symptoms associated with ASD in a large adult sample.”
“These findings indicate that well-powered placebo-controlled trials are warranted to examine the acute effects of various cannabinoids and manipulations of the endocannabinoid system on ASD symptoms.”
“In sum, data from clinical trials of children and adolescents presents an evidence base that supports a continued focus on the impact of CBD on ASD features, while the present data from cannabis-using autistic adults indicates that a sole focus on CBD may not fully capture the potential impact of cannabinoids as a pharmacological intervention for adults with ASD. Thus, additional placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed where THC, CBD, and other non-intoxicating cannabinoids (e.g., cannabigerol), terpenes, and/or medications that modulate the functioning of the endocannabinoid system are administered to autistic adults to determine their relative effects on symptoms associated with ASD.”