IMPACT OF CANNABIDIOL ON THE CO-OCCURRENCE OF ANXIETY AND SLEEP DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Anxiety and sleep disorders represent highly prevalent comorbidities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), significantly contributing to functional impairments and reduced quality of life. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from Cannabis sativa, has been investigated as a possible neurochemical modulator with anxiolytic and sleep-wake cycle regulating effects. This integrative review analyzes the available clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol in the concomitant management of anxiety and sleep disorders in individuals with ASD. The PubMed, Web of Science, and SciELO databases were consulted, considering publications from the last ten years. The results suggest that CBD may reduce anxiety symptoms, improve sleep latency, and promote greater behavioral stability, although there is still significant methodological heterogeneity and a lack of robust trials. It is concluded that CBD presents promising therapeutic potential in these comorbidities, but its clinical applicability requires caution, standardization of doses, and long-term evaluations.