# Exploring Cannabinoid Clinical Benefits for Autism in Children > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-clinical-benefits-autism-cbd-trial/ > **Published:** 2026-04-15T14:34:07-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-27T23:01:10-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Discover cannabinoid clinical benefits from CBD trials in children with autism, focusing on social relating, anxiety, and parental stress outcomes. --- #### Clinical Takeaway In a small randomized crossover trial, autistic children aged 5 to 12 received weight-based oral CBD oil at 10 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks. The study examined whether CBD containing terpenes could improve social relating, anxiety, and parental stress outcomes compared to placebo. Results from this controlled design provide structured [clinical evidence](https://cedclinic.com/academic-partnerships-cannabis-research/) on CBD’s potential role in managing behavioral and emotional symptoms in pediatric autism. ### #29 Effects of Cannabidiol on Social Relating, Anxiety, and Parental Stress in Autistic Children: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial. **Citation:** Parrella Nina-Francesca et al. *Effects of Cannabidiol on Social Relating, Anxiety, and Parental Stress in Autistic Children: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.* Autism research: official journal of the International Society for Autism Research. 2026. PMID: 41452412. **Study type:** Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial  |  **Topic area:** Autism  |  **CED Score:** 10 Design: 5 Journal: 0 N: 0 Recency: 3 Pop: 3 Human: 1 Risk: -2 **Quality Gate Alerts:** - Preclinical only **Abstract:** Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound derived from the cannabis plant, has garnered increasing attention as a potential pharmacological therapeutic for autism. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial to understand whether oral CBD oil containing terpenes can improve outcomes in autistic children. Twenty-nine children (18 male), aged 5 to 12 years (M = 9.62 years, SD = 2.05), diagnosed with [autism spectrum disorder](https://cedclinic.com/pediatric-cannabis-use-autism-adhd-tourette-safety/), completed the study. Participants received weight-based dosing of CBD oil (10 mg/kg/day) or matched placebo oil over two 12-week intervention periods (crossover), separated by an 8-week washout period. Outcome measures included the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2; primary outcome), PROMIS Social Relating, Anxiety, and Sleep, Developmental Behavior Checklist-2 (DBC-2), Vineland-3, and Autism Parenting Stress Index (APSI; secondary outcomes). There was no significant effect observed for the primary outcome measure (SRS-2) for CBD oil relative to placebo oil after 12 weeks (β = -11.15, SE = 7.19, p = 0.125). Significant improvements were observed in secondary measures of social functioning, including DBC-2 Social Relating (β = -2.35, SE = 0.92, p(adj) = 0.024), as well as reduced anxiety on the DBC-2 subscale (β = -3.20, SE = 0.94, p(adj) = 0.002), and lower parental stress (APSI; β = -4.63, SE = 2.26, p(adj) = 0.044). No differences were detected on Vineland-3 adaptive functioning (ABC: β = 2.06, SE = 2.67, p(adj) = 1.000), and domain scores were not significant. Safety and tolerability data indicated that two children experienced gastrointestinal discomfort while taking CBD. Findings from this pilot trial suggest that while CBD combined with terpenes did not improve the primary outcome of social responsiveness, it may hold potential in addressing certain autism-related difficulties, particularly anxiety and social relating. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to fully evaluate the efficacy  |  [View on PubMed ↗](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41452412/)[DOI ↗](https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.70159) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. 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[Read More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabidiol-autism-anxiety-clinical-trial-study-2/) [Clinical Trial of CBD Oil Effects on Autism and Anxiety](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-oil-autism-anxiety-trial/) Review findings from a clinical trial assessing CBD oil's impact on autism-related anxiety and [behavioral symptoms](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-palliative-care-alzheimers-efficacy/). [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-oil-autism-anxiety-trial/) [Cannabinoid Clinical Trials: CBD for Autism in Children](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-autism-clinical-trial-study/) Detailed analysis of cannabinoid [clinical trials](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-emotional-memory-ptsd-treatment/) focusing on CBD's effects in children with autism spectrum disorder. [Discover Insights](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-autism-clinical-trial-study/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Exploring%20Cannabinoid%20Clinical%20Benefits%20for%20Autism%20in%20Children&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabinoid-clinical-benefits-autism-cbd-trial%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabinoid-clinical-benefits-autism-cbd-trial%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Exploring%20Cannabinoid%20Clinical%20Benefits%20for%20Autism%20in%20Children%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabinoid-clinical-benefits-autism-cbd-trial%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).