FDA-Approved CBD Treatment Shows Behavioral Improvements in Autistic Boys, Study Finds

CBD Treatment with Epidiolex Shows Breakthrough Results in Reducing Autism-Related Behavioral Challenges

San Diego, CA – A recent clinical trial conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, has found that a plant-derived, FDA-approved CBD formulation—Epidiolex—may help improve severe behavioral issues in boys with autism.

The randomized, placebo-controlled study involved 39 boys between the ages of 7 and 14. Over several weeks, participants received either CBD or a placebo, while clinicians closely monitored changes in behavior without knowing who was receiving which treatment.

The results were promising:

• Nearly two-thirds of the boys who received CBD showed noticeable behavioral improvements.

• The most common improvements included reduced aggression and hyperactivity.

• Perhaps most notably, nearly 30% showed improved communication skills, with some children beginning to use words for the first time.

“These findings are especially meaningful for non-speaking children,” the researchers noted, “as the ability to use words marked a significant developmental milestone.”

While the study did not find major differences in all outcome areas—something researchers attributed to the small sample size and a strong placebo effect—it reaffirmed that Epidiolex is both safe and well-tolerated in this patient group.

Originally approved in 2018 for treating rare forms of childhood epilepsy (Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes), Epidiolex continues to show promise in broader therapeutic applications. The authors concluded, “Despite limitations, this trial provides valuable insights into CBD’s potential role in helping children with autism, especially in managing severe behavioral symptoms.”

Other studies have similarly found that cannabinoids may offer symptom relief and boost overall quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Full Study Title:
“Cannabidiol treatment for severe problem behaviors in autistic boys: A randomized clinical trial”
Published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders