Is CBD oil beneficial for autistic children?

According to the article I'm about to introduce, there is not enough research conducted on this possibility.

Evidence of CBD oil's usefulness is mainly anecdotal. There have been some small studies that suggest that autistic children who are given CBD oil (typically in drops placed under the tongue) show improvements in social interactions and general behavior,78 but the only real consensus is that more studies need to be done.9

For example, in 2018 a group of Israeli researchers conducted a small feasibility study of 60 children and found that CBD oil reduced autism-induced behavioral, communication, and anxiety problems.10 However, there were some side effects, such as sleep disturbances, irritability, and appetite issues. Still, the study was enough to trigger a larger cross-over study to answer some big questions about the safety and effectiveness of CBD oil as a therapeutic tool for kids with ASD.

At this point, however, it's still not an intervention with a large evidence base, says Mandi Silverman, PsyD, the former senior director of the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute in New York City.

Another safety consideration: The lack of regulation. CBD oil and other hemp-derived products are not regulated by federal agencies like the FDA. The lack of oversight means that products are more likely to be subject to issues like inconsistencies in strength, mislabeling, and even contamination. For example, while some companies utilize third-party testing for their CBD products, there is generally no guarantee that a CBD product doesn't contain more THC than what's listed on the label and ingredients may vary batch by batch.

Reference: By Nicole Harris Parent.com

Updated on December 1, 2023

Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD