Brazilian study investigates the safety and use of cannabidiol in children with autism
Research published in an international journal points to a reduction in controlled medications and behavioral improvements during supervised treatment
Published on 12/16/2025
In the group using antipsychotics, 12 out of 18 individuals were able to reduce the dosage of these drugs by 70% or more. Image: Canva Pro
A group of Brazilian researchers published a pioneering study on the use of cannabidiol (CBD) in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The article gained prominence in the international scientific journal Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology and Addiction, providing new data to the medical community.
The obtained data were encouraging, with a completion rate of 90% among participants. In the group using antipsychotics, 12 out of 18 individuals were able to reduce the dosage of these drugs by 70% or more.
The reported adverse effects were mostly mild and transient, including increased appetite and mild agitation. However, researchers emphasize the need for monitoring, as two participants with epilepsy experienced seizure recurrence during the withdrawal of allopathic drugs.
The study analyzed the feasibility and safety of a CBD-rich oil, with a ratio of 14.5:1 in relation to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The research followed 30 children and adolescents, aged between 2 and 15 years, over 24 weeks.
During the follow-up, some participants reduced or discontinued psychotropic medications, such as antipsychotics and anticonvulsants. This process of substitution with the use of cannabidiol occurred under strict medical supervision.
Impact of cannabidiol on behavior and family
In addition to safety data, most families reported significant improvement in communication, sociability, and repetitive behaviors in children. There were also positive observations in reducing parental stress and improving comorbidities, such as ADHD and sleep disorders.
The initiative was led by the Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNeC) at the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL). The project involved scientists from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) and institutions in Italy and Canada.
According to co-author and coordinator of LabNeC/UNISUL, Prof. Dr. Rafael Mariano de Bitencourt, the research is crucial for the field. “This work represents an important step in building evidence on the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol in children with autism,” he states.
Bitencourt highlights that, although the results are preliminary, they reinforce the importance of supervised investigations. The central focus should remain on clinical safety and the quality of life of families involved in the treatment.
The study was led by physician Alysson Madruga de Liz and used oil provided by the Brazilian Association for Access to Therapeutic Cannabis (ABRAFLOR). This choice reflected the real practices of access to medicinal Cannabis currently in force in the country.
Limitations and future of research with cannabidiol
Like any pilot and retrospective study, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the open design and absence of a control group. The small number of participants limits the generalization of findings and prevents definitive causal conclusions at this time.
Nevertheless, the data offer relevant signals that justify the conduct of more robust and controlled clinical trials in the future. For Bitencourt, the work highlights the role of civil associations in advancing science and access to the use of cannabidiol in Brazil.
“Science needs to look at what already happens in real life. Many families have been using cannabidiol-based products empirically, and it is up to research to investigate, in an ethical and responsible manner, the potential benefits and risks of these practices,” concludes the researcher.
