Cannabidiol for Autism

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Doris Trauner, MD

Age: < 18

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: University of California, San Diego

Must not be taking: Anticonvulsants, CBD

Disqualifiers: Epilepsy, Genetic conditions, Cardiac disease, others

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether cannabidiol, a component of cannabis, can reduce severe behavioral problems in boys with autism. Researchers aim to determine if it can decrease behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, repetitive actions, and extreme hyperactivity. Participants will receive either the cannabidiol treatment (Epidiolex) or a placebo (inactive substance) to compare results. Boys aged 7-14 with severe autism and frequent aggressive or hyperactive behaviors may be suitable for this study. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, providing an opportunity to contribute to important early findings.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If your child is taking anticonvulsant medications like clobazam or valproic acid, they cannot participate in the trial. If your child is taking CBD from another source, you must stop the treatment for at least 4 weeks before joining the study.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that cannabidiol (CBD) is generally safe for use. Studies have found that CBD-rich products can help manage symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with few serious side effects. For example, one study found that children and teens with ASD exhibited fewer problematic behaviors when taking CBD. Other studies suggest that CBD can help reduce severe behavioral issues in autistic children. Most reported side effects were mild, such as drowsiness or changes in appetite. Additionally, the FDA has approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based medicine, for other conditions, indicating its likely safety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for autism?

Researchers are excited about Epidiolex for autism because it's derived from cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in cannabis plants. Unlike traditional treatments for autism, which often include behavioral therapy and medications like antipsychotics, Epidiolex offers a novel approach by potentially leveraging CBD's calming effects to address symptoms. This treatment is unique due to its non-psychoactive properties, meaning it doesn’t produce a high, and its potential to impact the endocannabinoid system, which may play a role in regulating mood and behavior. This alternative mechanism of action is what makes Epidiolex stand out and why it holds promise for new therapeutic possibilities.

What evidence suggests that cannabidiol might be an effective treatment for autism?

Research has shown that cannabidiol (CBD), the main ingredient in Epidiolex, may help reduce severe behavioral issues in people with autism. Studies indicate that purified CBD can improve key symptoms like aggression, self-harm, and extreme hyperactivity. Trials with children and teens have demonstrated that CBD enhances social interaction and decreases repetitive behaviors. These studies found the treatment to be safe, with many patients experiencing positive effects. In this trial, participants will receive either Epidiolex or a placebo to further evaluate its effectiveness. While more research is needed, these findings suggest that Epidiolex could be a helpful option for managing difficult behaviors in autism. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Doris Trauner, MD

Principal Investigator

University of California, San Diego

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for boys aged 7-14 with autism who exhibit severe behaviors like aggression, self-harm, and hyperactivity almost daily. They must have a confirmed diagnosis of autism based on ADOS testing and significant functional impairment due to these behaviors.

Inclusion Criteria

You often hurt yourself or others on a regular basis, almost every day.

You frequently show aggressive or self-injurious behaviors almost every day in different places like home, school, or clinic.

Boys between 7 and 14 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Children who might travel out of the area for a significant time during the study

Children who recently participated in another investigational drug trial may be excluded

A known genetic condition such as tuberous sclerosis

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Evaluation

Baseline clinical evaluation, neuropsychological, behavioral, cognitive, and language testing, EEG, and MRI scan

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Period 1

15 children receive CBD and 15 receive placebo for 8 weeks

8 weeks

Weekly visits (in-person)

Washout

4-week washout period with repeated behavioral and cognitive tests

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Period 2

Treatments are reversed; 15 children receive CBD and 15 receive placebo for 8 weeks

8 weeks

Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Epidiolex
• Placebo Oral Solution

Trial Overview The study tests if cannabidiol (Epidiolex) can reduce severe behavioral problems in children with autism compared to a placebo. It aims to see if the drug helps with aggressive behavior, self-harm, repetitive actions, or extreme hyperactivity.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: cannabidiol Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

cannabidiol arm

Group II: placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

placebo arm

Epidiolex is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Epidiolex for:

• Seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
• Seizures associated with Dravet syndrome
• Seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex

Approved in European Union as Epidyolex for:

• Seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
• Seizures associated with Dravet syndrome

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, San Diego

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,215

Recruited

1,593,000+

Wholistic Research and Education Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

40+

Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research

Collaborator

Trials

19

Recruited

630+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In an observational study of 18 autistic patients treated with a CBD-enriched Cannabis sativa extract, most showed significant improvements in various symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders after 6-9 months, particularly in areas like seizures, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and communication.

Despite some patients experiencing mild adverse effects leading to discontinuation, the majority of those who adhered to the treatment reported improvements, with many able to reduce or stop other medications while maintaining these benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of CBD-Enriched Cannabis sativa Extract on Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms: An Observational Study of 18 Participants Undergoing Compassionate Use. Fleury-Teixeira, P., Caixeta, FV., Ramires da Silva, LC., et al.[2020]

In a study of 47 patients with refractory epilepsy, highly purified cannabidiol (CBD) was found to be effective in reducing seizure frequency, regardless of whether it was used with clobazam (CLB) or not.

Patients taking CBD alongside CLB had a significantly higher responder rate (more than 50% reduction in seizures) at the point of best seizure control within the first year, indicating that combining these treatments may enhance efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of cannabidiol in subjects with refractory epilepsy relative to concomitant use of clobazam. Savage, TE., Sourbron, J., Bruno, PL., et al.[2021]

Cannabidiol (CBD) is being explored as a potential treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its co-morbidities, but current evidence does not convincingly demonstrate its efficacy or safety in young patients with ASD.

Despite the growing interest in cannabinoids for treating ASD, there is a lack of robust pre-clinical and clinical data to support their use as effective treatments for the core symptoms of the disorder.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cannabidiol as a suggested candidate for treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Poleg, S., Golubchik, P., Offen, D., et al.[2019]

Current research indicates that cannabis and cannabidiol may offer potential therapeutic benefits for some individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly for associated noncore symptoms and comorbidities.

The available data suggest that these treatments are generally well tolerated, but further studies are needed to identify which patients might benefit the most and to ensure safety without adverse effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Medical Cannabis: Review and Clinical Experience. Mostafavi, M., Gaitanis, J.[2021]

A single oral dose of 750 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) showed significantly increased exposure when taken with a high-fat/calorie meal, with a 3.8-fold increase in overall exposure (AUC0-∞) and a 5.2-fold increase in maximum concentration (Cmax) compared to fasting.

CBD was well-tolerated with no severe adverse events reported, indicating its safety in healthy adults, while its absorption was also enhanced by low-fat meals, whole milk, and alcohol, albeit to a lesser extent.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A phase 1, randomized, pharmacokinetic trial of the effect of different meal compositions, whole milk, and alcohol on cannabidiol exposure and safety in healthy subjects. Crockett, J., Critchley, D., Tayo, B., et al.[2021]

Epidiolex® (CBD) is effective for treating epilepsy in patients over 2 years old, but it can interact with other medications, as seen in a case where it contributed to lithium toxicity in a patient with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

After discontinuing lithium due to toxicity, the patient improved and remained seizure-free on CBD and two other antiseizure medications, highlighting the importance of monitoring drug interactions when adding CBD to treatment regimens.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Drug-Drug Interactions Between Cannabidiol and Lithium. Singh, RK., Dillon, B., Tatum, DA., et al.[2020]

Pure, plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD; Epidiolex) has been shown to significantly reduce seizure frequencies in patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) by 17% to 23% compared to placebo, making it an effective adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant epilepsy.

CBD is generally well tolerated, with common side effects including somnolence, diarrhea, and elevated liver enzymes, and it is the first cannabis-derived medication approved by the FDA for these conditions, providing a new treatment option for patients aged 2 years and older.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cannabidiol: A New Hope for Patients With Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut Syndromes. Chen, JW., Borgelt, LM., Blackmer, AB.[2020]

Epidiolex, a 99% pure oral CBD extract, has been shown to significantly reduce seizure frequency in patients with medically refractory epilepsy, leading to its FDA approval.

The review highlights the safety profile of Epidiolex, noting that while it is effective, understanding its adverse effects is crucial for patient management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epidiolex as adjunct therapy for treatment of refractory epilepsy: a comprehensive review with a focus on adverse effects. Sekar, K., Pack, A.[2020]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04517799

Trial of Cannabidiol to Treat Severe Behavior Problems in ... This study is being conducted to determine whether cannabidiol can reduce any or all of these problem behaviors. Detailed Description. Children with autism ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12005571/

Efficacy and Safety of Cannabinoids for Autism Spectrum ... This systematic review evaluates the potential efficacy and safety of CBD-rich formulations in managing ASD symptoms.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091305725000188

Purified cannabidiol leads to improvement of severe ... Our results suggest that treatment with purified CBD is effective and safe and could benefit patients with severe ASD by improving some of the core symptoms.

4. europsy.net europsy.net/app/uploads/2025/04/Cannabidiol-Therapy-Could-Reduce-Symptoms-in-Autistic-Children-and-Teenagers.pdf

Cannabidiol Therapy Could Reduce Symptoms in Autistic ... We included randomized, placebo-controlled trials on the efficacy or safety of CBD cannabis extracts in children and adolescents with ASD. For ...

5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35617670/

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol-rich ... CBD-rich cannabis extract was found to improve one of the diagnostic criteria for ASD (social interaction), as well as features that often co-exist with ASD ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04745026

NCT04745026 | Trial to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy ... Trial to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Cannabidiol Oral Solution (GWP42003-P; CBD-OS) in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

7. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-025-06884-y

Cannabidiol (CBD) Treatment for Severe Problem ... Open-label and observational studies suggest cannabidiol (CBD) reduces problematic behaviors in autistic children.