One of the most revolutionary trends in modern medicine is using CBD. This is a chemical known as a cannabinoid that’s taken from cannabis that doesn’t have psychoactive abilities. Many people still don’t know that much about medical marijuana. Others – know that the best CBD oils and other products made of this component help to alleviate stress, anxiety, and pain.
There is a lot of information on CBD products out there for adults. But more and more parents ask whether they can be used for children. In this article, you will find out facts about the use of CBD you must know as a parent.
CBD Will Not Get Your Child High
The biggest concern of most parents is that CBD oils will have the same impact on their children as a weed. However, this is not the truth. Medical marijuana does not contain THC, which is the main psychoactive component.
CBD stimulates one’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for homeostasis, stress and pain responses. Therefore, it helps to cope with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain without psychoactive effects.
The number of research on the influence of medical marijuana is still limited. The governments of many countries do not allow this to happen. But the studies that could happen showed surprising results. Parents need to know that doctors in the future can use CBD to cure epilepsy, anxiety, and ADHD.
CBD and Epilepsy in Children
In 2018 FDA approved the first drug for epilepsy in kids whose main component is medical marijuana. The medication is called Epidiolex. And it showed to have good long term effects, such as reducing seizure frequency.
However, it hasn’t been proven that if you use CBD oils, the effect will be the same as from Epidiolex. Therefore, before using it, you should consult with your child’s pediatrician
CBD and Anxiety in Children
Some studies and many personal reviews show that medical marijuana indeed helps to cope with stress. Many people admit it works better than antidepressants.
However, there is still not enough evidence of a positive impact of CBD on children’s mental health. One of the studies conducted on a 10-year-old patient shows that the mental condition of the patient has improved after she started taking CBD.
The study also showed that medical marijuana helped to combat sleep disorders she had. However, this is still not enough to draw a clear conclusion about the effect of CBD oils on children.
As we can see, medical marijuana has great potential, but it still lacks a couple of years of research to let parents use it on their kids.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and CBD Oils
Many parents admit that using CBD products on their kids who have ADHD helps them to be more focused. They also say that most of the symptoms reduce after they take hemp extract for a long time.
Howewer, there is not enough evidence for it. Loads of research have to be done before we can make any conclusion regarding this issue too.
Possible Side Effects of CBD Oils Usage
As every medication or supplement, CBD usage can have its side effects. Especially on kids whose weight is comparatively low and the normal amount for an adult is too high for them.
Here you can find the list of side effects:
- feeling lethargic and sleepy
- lack of concentration
- apathy
- weakness
- rash
- diarrhoea
- diminished appetite
There might be many other side effects. Since the topic of the influence of CBD oils on children lacks research, the final list is not known yet.
The Bottom Line
Whether to give your child CBD oils or not- the decision is yours. For adults, it might be a good way to get rid of pain, combat stress, and anxiety. However, there is still not enough research when it comes to kids. Therefore, the wisest decision is to wait until the final answer is known.
You should also remember that before using any medication, you should consult with a specialist. Guessing a diagnosis and using home-remedies is not always a good idea. Don’t put your health in danger by curing yourself or your child without professional help.
Bear in mind, that medical marijuana is still not legal in some countries. Even if it’s deprived of psychoactive elements, such as THC, you might be punished for using CBD products. Make sure you know the law regarding medical marijuana in your region.
Also, remember, that usually underage people cannot buy CBD. You have to be 18 or 21, depending on the country, to purchase medical marijuana.
