Special report: How cannabis could shape future autism therapies

Recent articles

Brain and marijuana leaves

Q&A with Eric Hollander: Cannabis treatments for autism

As cannabis prohibition slowly lifts in the United States, scientists and families in the autism community are increasingly turning to the drug and its constituent compounds to ease autism-related difficulties, including seizures and irritability.

By Peter Hess
8 June 2021 | 6 min read
Illustration of a neuron on top of a marijuana leaf surrounded by psychadelic colors.

Cannabis and autism, explained

Autistic people and their families are increasingly experimenting with marijuana to try to ease problems such as insomnia, epilepsy and chronic pain — and traits of autism. But there is little evidence for its safety or effectiveness.

By Peter Hess
7 September 2020 | 8 min read
Woman rolling a marijuana joint.

Researchers urge caution over study linking marijuana to autism

Women who use marijuana while pregnant may be more likely to give birth to an autistic child. But investigators call for a cautious interpretation of the results.

By Laura Dattaro
18 August 2020 | 5 min read
Marijuana plant

Cannabis compound improves sociability in autism mouse model

A single dose of cannabidiol, a component of marijuana, eases seizures and improves learning and sociability in mice with mutations in an autism gene called CDKL5.

By Bahar Gholipour
22 October 2019 | 2 min read
Photograph of marijuana plant in dark setting.

Drug agency ruling on marijuana may do little to ease autism research

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has made it legal for doctors to prescribe an epilepsy drug derived from marijuana. But all other compounds derived from marijuana remain under tight restrictions.

By Jessica Wright
1 October 2018 | 3 min read
Gate keepers with long documents and spears in front of fortress full of marijuana leaves.

Federal chokehold on marijuana stymies studies on epilepsy, autism

Scientists' desire for evidence-based medical inquiry runs headlong into an apparently immovable obstacle: the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

By Shaun Hussain
11 September 2018 | 8 min read
Collage illustration shows sun rising behind medicine dropper with marijuana leaves growing out of it.

Drug approval could boost research on marijuana treatment for autism

The United States has approved a compound derived from marijuana as a treatment for certain types of epilepsy. The ruling may spell good news for autism research.

By Jessica Wright
16 August 2018 | 5 min read

Marijuana ingredient sparks social behavior in epilepsy model

Cannabidiol alleviates seizures and restores social ability in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome by soothing overexcitement in the brain.

By Ann Griswold
15 November 2016 | 3 min read
Image of pots and pans hanging from the ceiling. This is meant to be a visual pun, because marijuana is also known as 'pot'.

The pioneers: How parents are experimenting with marijuana for autism

Meet the backyard marijuana growers and home chemists who are rushing in where scientists fear to tread.

By Jessica Wright
14 September 2016 | 20 min read

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Collage of fruit fly and money.

Fly database secures funding for another year, but future remains in flux

The FlyBase team’s fundraising efforts have proven successful in the short term, but restoration of its federal grant remains uncertain.

By Calli McMurray
17 October 2025 | 3 min read
Nachum Ulanovsky sits against a black background with one bat in his hands and another with its wings spread above his head.

Diving in with Nachum Ulanovsky

With an eye toward realism, the neuroscientist, who has a new study about bats out today, creates microcosms of the natural world to understand animal behavior.

By Claudia López Lloreda
16 October 2025 | 14 min listen
Developing human fetus.

Gene-activity map of developing brain reveals new clues about autism’s sex bias

Boys and girls may be vulnerable to different genetic changes, which could help explain why the condition is more common in boys despite linked variants appearing more often in girls.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
16 October 2025 | 6 min listen

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