# Endocannabinoid System & CBD for Autism: RCT Evidence > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/effects-cannabidiol-autism-anxiety-clinical-evidence/ > **Published:** 2026-04-14T19:43:23-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:01:51-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore effects of cannabidiol on autism anxiety and social relating in children from a randomized controlled trial with clinical evidence. --- #### 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 outcomes including social relating, anxiety, and parental stress using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Results from this trial provide controlled evidence on whether terpene-containing CBD oil produces measurable clinical benefits in pediatric [autism spectrum disorder](https://cedclinic.com/pediatric-cannabis-use-autism-adhd-tourette-safety/). ### #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, 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/cannabinoid-clinical-benefits-autism-cbd-trial/) [Cannabidiol CBD Effects Autism Anxiety Clinical Trial](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-oil-autism-anxiety-trial/) Detailed analysis of a clinical trial assessing cannabidiol's impact on anxiety and social functioning in autistic children. [Explore Study](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-oil-autism-anxiety-trial/) [`CBD Autism Trial: Endocannabinoid System Clinical Research`](https://cedclinic.com/cannabidiol-autism-anxiety-clinical-trial-study-2/) Insights into the role of the [endocannabinoid system](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/) in autism and the therapeutic potential of CBD from [clinical research](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-based-therapies-smoking-cessation/). [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabidiol-autism-anxiety-clinical-trial-study-2/) Have thoughts on this? 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