What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Anxiety, Sleep, Mental Health.

Where was this research published?

Published in Neuropsychopharmacology reports on September 1, 2026.

Medical cannabis linked to better sleep and wellbeing in autism

Q: What did this Observational Study find?

Among **130 autistic adults**, *cannabis-based medicinal products* were associated with significant improvements in *anxiety* and *sleep quality* over **18 months** (**p < 0.001**).

UK Medical Cannabis Registry: A Clinical Outcomes Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Neuropsychopharmacology reports • September 1, 2026 • Observational • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

This observational case series followed 130 autistic adults in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry who were prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). Over 18 months, participants reported improvements in anxiety and sleep quality, with both measures showing statistically significant changes from baseline (p < 0.001). Overall health-related quality of life also improved, with EQ-5D-5L scores rising from 0.43 ± 0.30 at baseline to 0.51 ± 0.32 at 18 months (p < 0.001).

The findings suggest CBMP treatment was associated with better reported wellbeing, anxiety, and sleep in these autistic adults. However, because the study had no control group, it cannot show that cannabis caused the improvements; changes could also reflect other factors, including natural fluctuations or concurrent care. Adverse events were reported by 25 participants (19.23%), and most were described as mild or moderate. The authors call for randomized controlled trials to clarify the long-term benefits and risks of CBMPs for autism spectrum disorder.

💡 Key Findings

Among 130 autistic adults, cannabis-based medicinal products were associated with significant improvements in anxiety and sleep quality over 18 months (p < 0.001).

Good

70%

Health-related quality of life improved from 0.43 ± 0.30 at baseline to 0.51 ± 0.32 after 18 months (p < 0.001).

Good

70%

Adverse events were reported by 25 participants (19.23%); most were characterized as mild or moderate.

Good

65%

Because this was an uncontrolled observational study, the results show associations rather than proven treatment effects.

High

90%

📄 Original Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with distressed behaviors and psychological challenges. This study aims to evaluate the change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety, and sleep quality in autistic individuals prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). This observational case series analyzed data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry on autistic adults treated with CBMPs. Demographic and clinical data were collected at baseline, with patient-reported outcome measures assessed up to 18 months. Primary outcomes included changes in anxiety (GAD-7), sleep quality (SQS), and HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L). Secondary outcomes included the incidence of adverse events. Statistical significance was indicated by p < 0.050. One-hundred and thirty individuals met the inclusion criteria. GAD-7 (p < 0.001) and SQS (p < 0.001) scores improved from baseline to 18 months. EQ-5D-5L index values showed improvement from baseline (0.43 ± 0.30) to 18 months (0.51 ± 0.32, p < 0.001), and PGIC scores increased from 1 month (5.43 ± 1.49) to 18 months (5.65 ± 1.32, p = 0.013). Twenty-five participants (19.23%) reported a total of 232 (178.46%) adverse events, with most being mild (n = 88; 67.69%) or moderate (n = 99; 76.15%). Treatment with CBMPs was associated with improvements in HRQoL, anxiety, and sleep outcomes in autistic patients over an 18-month period. Given the absence of a control group, these findings represent associations rather than proven treatment effects. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of CBMPs in ASD.

Paper Type

👁️ Observational

Publication

Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology reports
Published: September 1, 2026
PMID: 42387975
DOI: 10.1002/npr2.70146

Authors (18)

Arushika Aggarwal Medical Cannabis Research Group, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Simon Erridge Medical Cannabis Research Group, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Madhur Varadpande Medical Cannabis Research Group, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Evonne Clarke Curaleaf Clinic, London, UK.
Katy McLachlan Curaleaf Clinic, London, UK.
+13 more authors