The 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry, which closed last month, had more than 5,200 attendees from over 120 countries, all of whom are experts from various fields of psychiatry around the world. It is the largest psychiatric congress in Europe.

About 1 in 100 children worldwide suffer from autism spectrum disorder (ASD), symptoms of which may include difficulty interpreting language, difficulty expressing emotions, and repetitive behaviors and daily activities. ASD affects about 3% of children and adolescents in the United States. This condition is becoming more and more common worldwide and poses significant treatment challenges.

New research presented at the European Congress of Psychiatry shows that the use of cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis extract can improve the behavior of children and adolescents with ASD, provide real relief, improve social interactions, reduce anxiety, and help sleep, all without increasing side effects.

CBD shows promise for autism symptoms
Study: Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol cannabis extract in children and adolescents on the autism spectrum [EPA2025-ABS-3651]

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial explored the efficacy and safety of CBD cannabis extract in children and adolescents with ASD. A total of three studies were used, involving 276 participants with a mean age of 10.5 years, ranging from 5 to 21 years. The dose of CBD cannabis extract started at 1 mg/kg per day and was titrated to 10 mg/kg.

For outcomes with limited study data, the research team used a fixed-effect model. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool.

Results: Three studies met the criteria, including 276 participants (78.3% male; mean age 10.5 years, ranging from 5 to 21 years). The intervention consisted of oral CBD with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in minimal amounts or in a 9:1 to 20:1 ratio of CBD to THC.

CBD doses were titrated from 1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg per day. CBD cannabis extract significantly enhanced 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 reduced anxiety (SMD = -0.33 [-0.63, -0.03], p = 0.03, I² = 59%). CBD hemp extract also improved sleep quality, though the result did not reach statistical significance (SMD = -0.19 [-0.49, 0.11], p = 0.21, I² = 0%). Importantly, there were no significant differences in adverse events between the intervention and placebo (odds ratio = 2.11 [1.00, 4.46], p = 0.05, I² = 38%).

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Key findings of the CBD study:
The use of CBD showed a modest improvement in social responsiveness, and a small but significant reduction in disruptive behavior and anxiety.

CBD significantly enhanced social responsiveness, reduced disruptive behavior, and relieved anxiety, while also improving sleep quality.

The use of CBD has a good safety profile, as it does not increase adverse events compared to placebo.

"The prevalence of ASD diagnosis in children and adolescents is growing worldwide, yet many treatment avenues are ineffective," said lead researcher Lara Cappelletti Beneti Branco, Centro São Camilo, University of São Paulo. "It is promising to see the effects of the cannabinoid CBD on study participants. However, considerable focus is still needed on further research with larger trials to elucidate its effectiveness and safety in treating ASD."

Professor Geert Dom, President of the European Association of Psychiatry, added: "ASD is extremely frustrating for everyone involved. Parents of children and adolescents with the disorder, treating clinicians, and of course the children and adolescents themselves. A large part of this frustration comes down to the fact that a viable treatment has not yet been found to reduce symptoms. We hope to see further research into this so that we can find solutions to the unmet needs within this community."

About the European Congress of Psychiatry
Founded in 1983 with the goal of improving the cure for psychosis in Europe and improving mental health worldwide, the European Association of Psychiatry (EAP) has become a leading forum dedicated to promoting the exchange of ideas and collaboration among professionals in the field of psychiatry and related disciplines. The European Psychiatric Congress (EPA) has members from 75 countries and 33 international psychiatric organizations. Main topics at the conference include addictive behaviors, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, child and adolescent psychiatry, cognitive neuroscience, consultation and liaison psychiatry, and psychosomatic medicine.