Cannabis May Help Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder, Study Finds

Youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have lower levels of endogenous cannabinoids, according to a study published in Molecular Autism.

Researchers in Israel studied endocannabinoid serum levels in children with ASD and reported substantially lower serum levels of the primary endocannabinoid anandamide and related compounds, NORML reported.

The researchers’ findings suggest that cannabis-based therapy could help treat children with ASD by increasing endocannabinoids in the children.

Several recent clinical studies have found that the supplementation of cannabis-derived CBD extracts is associated with symptom reductions in patients with ASD.