Breakthrough Study at the 2025 European Psychiatry Congress: CBD May Ease Autism Symptoms and Improve Social Skills in Teens, Without Side Effects

The 2025 European Psychiatry Congress, which concluded last month, brought together over 5,200 participants from more than 120 countries. As the largest psychiatry congress in Europe, it gathered leading experts from across the globe in various fields of psychiatry.

About the European Psychiatry Congress:

Organized by the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), founded in 1983, the Congress is dedicated to advancing the treatment of psychiatric disorders in Europe and improving global mental health. The EPA has become a leading forum for professionals in psychiatry and related fields to exchange ideas and foster collaboration.The European Psychiatry Congress brings together members from 75 countries and 33 international psychiatric organizations. Key topics covered at the conference include: addictive behaviors, anxiety and somatoform disorders, bipolar disorder, child and adolescent psychiatry, cognitive neuroscience, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and psychosomatic medicine.

Globally, approximately 1 in every 100 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Symptoms may include difficulties in understanding language, challenges in expressing emotions, as well as repetitive behaviors and routines. ASD affects about 3% of children and adolescents in the United States. Its growing prevalence worldwide poses significant treatment challenges for healthcare professionals and families alike.

A new study presented at the European Psychiatry Congress revealed that cannabidiol (CBD), a compound extracted from cannabis, may improve behavior in children and adolescents with ASD. The findings suggest that CBD can provide genuine relief by enhancing social interaction, reducing anxiety, and improving sleep—all without increasing side effects.


CBD Shows Promise for Autism Symptoms

Study: Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol (CBD) Extract in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder [EPA2025-ABS-3651]

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial examined the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol (CBD) extract in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The analysis included data from three separate studies, involving a total of 276 participants with a mean age of 10.5 years, ranging from 5 to 21 years old. The CBD extract was administered starting at 1 mg/kg per day and titrated up to 10 mg/kg per day.

For outcomes with limited available data, the research team applied a fixed-effects model. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool.

Results: Three studies met our inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 276 participants (78.3% male; mean age 10.5 years, ranging from 5 to 21 years). The interventions involved oral administration of CBD, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in minimal amounts or in CBD-to-THC ratios ranging from 9:1 to 20:1.

CBD dosing started at 1 mg/kg per day and was titrated up to 10 mg/kg per day. The CBD extract significantly improved social responsiveness (SMD = -0.75 [−1.08, −0.43], p < 0.01, I² = 17%), reduced disruptive behavior (SMD = -0.36 [−0.67, −0.06], p = 0.02, I² = 0%), and alleviated anxiety (SMD = -0.33 [−0.63, −0.03], p = 0.03, I² = 59%). While the CBD extract also improved sleep quality, the effect was not statistically significant (SMD = -0.19 [−0.49, 0.11], p = 0.21, I² = 0%).

There was no significant difference in adverse events between the intervention and placebo groups (odds ratio = 2.11 [1.00, 4.46], p = 0.05, I² = 38%).


Key Findings of the Study Include:

The use of CBD was associated with moderate improvements in social responsiveness, and small but statistically significant reductions in disruptive behavior and anxiety.

CBD significantly enhanced social responsiveness, reduced disruptive behavior, alleviated anxiety, and also showed improvements in sleep quality.

CBD demonstrated a favorable safety profile. Compared to placebo, it did not lead to an increase in adverse events, with no significant differences observed between CBD and placebo groups.

Lara Cappelletti Beneti Branco, lead researcher from the Universidade São Camilo in São Paulo, stated:"The prevalence of ASD diagnoses among children and adolescents is increasing globally, yet many treatment options remain ineffective. Observing the impact of the cannabinoid CBD on study participants is promising. However, substantial attention must still be given to further research. Larger-scale trials are needed to better understand its efficacy and safety in treating ASD."

Professor Geert Dom, President of the European Psychiatric Association, stated:

"ASD is deeply frustrating for everyone involved — the parents of affected children and adolescents, the clinicians treating them, and of course, the children and adolescents themselves. Much of this frustration stems from the lack of a viable treatment option that effectively alleviates symptoms. We hope to see further research in this area so that we can find solutions for the unmet needs within this community."

This promising research on CBD marks an important step toward addressing those unmet needs, offering new hope for safer and more effective treatment options for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.