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Cannabis-based medicinal products improve sleep quality in autistic adults over 18 months

In an observational case series of 130 autistic adults from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, sleep quality as measured by the SQS improved significantly from baseline to 18 months (p < 0.001). The study also found improvements in anxiety and health-related quality of life, but these are associations due to the lack of a control group.

Last updated: Jul 7, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. UK Medical Cannabis Registry: A Clinical Outcomes Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

observational

Aggarwal A, Erridge S, Varadpande M, Clarke E, McLachlan K, Coomber R, Asghar M, Bhoskar U, Crews M, De Angelis A, Imran M, Kamal F, Korb L, Mwimba G, Sachdeva-Mohan S, Shaya G, Rucker JJ, Sodergren MH · Neuropsychopharmacology reports (2026)

Participants: 130
Duration: 18 months
Intervention: Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) prescribed as part of routine clinical care
Outcome: Sleep quality (SQS score), anxiety (GAD-7), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), and patient global impression of change (PGIC)
Effect Size: N/A (only p-values reported; SQS p < 0.001)
Population: Autistic adults (n=130) from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry

Result: In an observational case series of 130 autistic adults from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, sleep quality as measured by the SQS improved significantly from baseline to 18 months (p < 0.001). The study also found improvements in anxiety and health-related quality of life, but these are associations due to the lack of a control group.

PubMed: 42387975DOI: 10.1002/npr2.70146

Mechanism Graph

CBMPs interact with the endocannabinoid system
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Modulation of neurotransmitter release (e.g., GABA, serotonin)
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Reduction in anxiety and distressed behaviors
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Improvement in sleep quality

Limitations

  • ⚠Observational design with no control group, so results are associations not causal effects
  • ⚠Potential selection bias from registry data and lack of blinding
  • ⚠High rate of adverse events (19.23% of participants reported 232 events), though mostly mild or moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

What sleep measure was used in this study?▼

The study used the Single-Item Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) to assess sleep quality.

How long did the sleep improvements last?▼

Improvements were observed over an 18-month follow-up period.

Were there any side effects from cannabis-based treatments?▼

Yes, 19.23% of participants reported adverse events, with most being mild (67.69%) or moderate (76.15%).

Can these results be considered proof that cannabis improves sleep in autism?▼

No, because the study lacked a control group, so the findings are associations, not proven treatment effects.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Aggarwal A, Erridge S, Varadpande M, Clarke E, McLachlan K, Coomber R, Asghar M, Bhoskar U, Crews M, De Angelis A, Imran M, Kamal F, Korb L, Mwimba G, Sachdeva-Mohan S, Shaya G, Rucker JJ, Sodergren MH. "UK Medical Cannabis Registry: A Clinical Outcomes Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder.." Neuropsychopharmacology reports, 2026. PMID: 42387975 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.70146
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.