Clinical Trial: CBD With Terpenes May Reduce Anxiety and Parental Stress in Autistic Children

A randomized clinical trial published in Autism Research finds that cannabidiol (CBD) combined with terpenes may help reduce anxiety, improve aspects of social relating, and ease parental stress in autistic children, even though it did not significantly change overall social responsiveness scores. The study, conducted by researchers from Deakin University, Monash University, and Swinburne University of Technology, involved children ages 5 to 12 and highlights potential benefits in specific autism-related challenges rather than core diagnostic symptoms.

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 29 autistic children completed two 12-week intervention periods of weight-based oral CBD oil with terpenes or a matched placebo, separated by an eight-week washout. The primary outcome was social responsiveness measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale-2.

While the trial did not show a statistically significant improvement on the primary social responsiveness measure, several secondary outcomes favored CBD. Children receiving the CBD oil showed improvements in social relating on the Developmental Behavior Checklist-2 and experienced reduced anxiety on the DBC-2 anxiety subscale. Parents also reported lower stress on the Autism Parenting Stress Index during the CBD phase compared with placebo.

No significant changes were found in adaptive functioning as assessed by Vineland-3 domain scores. In terms of safety, CBD was generally well tolerated, though two children experienced mild gastrointestinal discomfort while taking the CBD oil.

The researchers note that the pilot trial’s findings support further study with larger sample sizes to more fully assess whether CBD with terpenes can offer meaningful benefits for anxiety, social relating, and family stress in autistic children.