Cannabis Compound Cannflavin B Reduced Anxiety and Improved Social Behavior in Autism Model

OG article by Anthony Martinelli

January 9, 2026

RA recent study highlights the potential of cannflavin B, a non-psychoactive flavonoid found in cannabis, to alleviate autism-related symptoms in an animal model. Researchers from the University of Guelph published findings in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy showing that this compound significantly reduced anxiety-like behaviors and enhanced social interactions in rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA), a standard method for inducing autism-like traits.

The study administered cannflavin B at a low dose of 0.2 mg/kg via injection to adolescent rats. Results indicated the compound was well-tolerated and reversed most VPA-induced neurological and behavioral deficits. Notably, it exhibited anxiolytic effects particularly in female rats while normalizing sociability across both sexes. This improvement in social behavior suggests cannflavin B could address core social challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder.

Further analysis revealed benefits at the brain level. Cannflavin B mitigated disruptions in neuronal oscillations and synchrony in key regions like the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. It also reduced markers of neuroinflammation, such as elevated Iba1 in microglia, with sex-specific variations observed. In vitro tests on cultured neurons confirmed the compound normalized excessive activity and promoted organized firing patterns altered by VPA exposure.

While promising, these results stem from preclinical animal and cellular models, limiting direct application to humans. The authors emphasize the need for additional research into lesser-explored cannabis compounds beyond THC and CBD, including long-term safety and dosing studies. This work underscores the therapeutic diversity within the cannabis plant and encourages exploration of flavonoids like cannflavin B for neurodevelopmental conditions.