Study shows cannabis provides short-term relief from autism disorders

A new study published in Scientific Reports is interested in Effects of cannabis on conditions frequently associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The researchers drew on data from Strainprint, a Canadian app that allows users to track their cannabis use and symptoms in real time. The goal is to observe how symptoms related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) change immediately after cannabis use.

The study focuses on a sample of 111 adults with autism having recorded nearly 6,000 sessions between 2017 and 2023. In each session, participants rated the intensity of their autistic traits before and after use. This made it possible to identify overall trends.

According to self-reported data, users observed a an average decrease of 73 % in the overall severity of their symptoms after consumption. The authors note, however, that this is a short-term relief, with no conclusions regarding the long-term effects.

A reduction in symptoms was observed in the vast majority of sessions

In 98% of the sessions analyzed, users reported a reduction in their symptoms. The most pronounced reductions were observed in symptoms related to emotional stress and sensory difficulties, two aspects frequently reported among people with autism.

Average severity scores, assessed before and after use, show, for example, a decrease from 68 % to 75 % depending on the category of symptoms. Individuals with the most severe symptoms prior to use are also those who report the greatest relief.

However, the researchers point out that these results are based on self-reports: no clinical or biomedical measurements were associated with this data.

A observed relationship between dose and the severity of effects

The study also examined the composition of the cannabis used (THC and CBD levels) and on the amount consumed, expressed in terms of the number of puffs. The data suggest that a higher dose is associated with a greater reduction in certain symptoms, particularly those related to repetitive behaviors, mental “control,” and negative feelings.

However, the THC or CBD content of the strains used does not appear to have affected the effects experienced. Nor did the participants gradually increase their doses over time. This suggests that, in this context, they did not need to increase their consumption to maintain the same level of relief.

A short-term improvement, but long-term questions

If consumers perceive a rapid relief, the study also notes a a slight upward trend in initial cases into two categories over the course of several months. The authors do not conclude that cannabis itself has an effect, but recommend further research to understand these developments.

The results should therefore be interpreted with caution: the study is observational, relies on self-reports, and does not compare the results to a control group. However, it provides new data on the immediate effects of cannabis in adults with autism—a topic that remains largely undocumented and under-researched.

Researchers are therefore calling for controlled clinical trials to confirm these findings, better understand the effects of THC, CBD, and consumption patterns, and develop recommendations for people with autism spectrum disorder.