CBD is now everywhere and is being used to treat various ailments ranging from mental issues such as anxiety, PTSD to physical conditions such as chronic pain and cancer. It has to date no evidence of health-related problems associated with its use according to the World Health Organisation.
With numerous reports raving about the efficiency of CBD, parents are also getting acquainted with such information and are considering administering their children, if they haven’t already, with CBD-infused products.
What is CBD?
CBD also referred to as cannabidiol, is one of the two major cannabis compounds found in a marijuana plant. Many parents get apprehensive about using CBD after knowing that it is obtained from marijuana plants thinking that it might cause their kids to experience a “high” that cannabis does. But the reality is that it does not contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis and is responsible for the mind-altering effects. Apart from that it also has a low profile of side effects and is non-addictive making it a choice option for treating kids.
Usually, CBD is found in the form of oil although it is also sold as an extract, edibles, balms, beverages, vaping liquids, gummies, coffee, and many other products.
CBD for kids
CBD presents itself as a holistic approach to combat many issues that the younger generations suffer from. An increasing number of kids with medical issues such as anxiety, insomnia, and autism are being given CBD in some form to provide relief.
Kids with anxiety
A large percentage of kids experience anxiety, pressure, and expectations from school and family that put a toll on their mental health. Roughly 4.4 million children ages 3-17 are being diagnosed with anxiety on a yearly basis according to the CDC. A study involving a 10-year old patient diagnosed with PTSD evidenced that CBD oil helped with her feelings of anxiety and reduced insomnia.
Kids with Autism
A study involving 60 children observed significant changes with the improvement in behavioral outbreaks, communication and anxiety problems, and also in the stress levels reported by parents.
Another study that looked at 188 children ages 5 to 18 on the autistic spectrum found recovery in symptoms such as seizures, rage attacks, and restlessness after a month of usage. The participants were given a concoction of 30% CBD oil and 1.5% THC that was placed under their tongue thrice a day, every day.
There were some side effects reported as well that included lack of appetite, sleepiness, and reflux. Along with CBD the children also took prescribed medications such as sedatives and antipsychotics.
Kids with ADHD
On the topic of treatment of kids diagnosed with ADHD little research has been done on using CBD as an option for treatment. Although some parents report a reduction in symptoms in their children after the use of CBD oil, there are others who report no effect. But relevant research has shown much evidence of the compound’s ability to provide relief in anxiety symptoms, and it is no news that anxiety tends to accompany ADHD in many cases.
Kids with Epilepsy
A medication made from CBD has already been approved by FDA to treat seizures that are difficult to control in children with two rare forms of epilepsy are Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. The medication is named Epidiolex. The principal investigators of the medication state that there is evidence that CBD is capable of reducing some of the most dangerous seizures.
Epidiolex is an oral solution made from highly purified CBD that is derived from the plant Cannabis sativa. It is manufactured with several precautions to guarantee that it only contains what is on the label and also to ensure that it is free of any contaminants. These days many CBD products available in retail stores are found questionable in terms of quality and transparency. Fortunately, bellevuereporter website has a neat list of reputable products for those struggling to find trustworthy CBD products.
CBD for pain
With how CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system, it can be used to successfully treat pain as well. It can have an effect on the body’s receptors that transfer pain messages from cell to cell. Research also suggests that CBD might be able to combat inflammation which consequently reduces pain.
In conclusion, CBD can be used in many ways, nonetheless, one is suggested to consult with their doctor before purchasing any CBD product for medical use. It is also recommended to first start off with low doses and gradually increase over time to prevent any side effects, one could take time with trial and error to determine the right dosage.
