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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Rajesh Rao reflects on predictive brains, neural interfaces and the future of human intelligence

Twenty-five years ago, Rajesh Rao proposed a seminal theory of how brains could implement predictive coding for perception. His modern version zeroes in on actions.

By Paul Middlebrooks
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Portrait of Yves Fregnac

In memoriam: Yves Frégnac, influential and visionary French neuroscientist

Frégnac, who died on 18 October at the age of 73, built his career by meeting neuroscience’s complexity straight on.

By Bahar Gholipour
18 December 2024 | 9 min read
Illustration shows a solitary figure moving through a green and blue field of dots moving at different rates.

Explaining ‘the largest unexplained number in brain science’: Q&A with Markus Meister and Jieyu Zheng

The human brain takes in sensory information roughly 100 million times faster than it can respond. Neuroscientists need to explore this perceptual paradox to better understand the limits of the brain, Meister and Zheng say.

By Claudia López Lloreda
17 December 2024 | 8 min read