How Can CBD Be Useful for Young Kids Too?

CBD can only be useful in kids with low potency levels. It benefits them for various reasons, including lowering anxiety levels and treating epilepsy. Broad-spectrum and isolate are suitable for kids to avoid the intoxicating effects caused by THC.

You might have heard or experienced the multiple health benefits of CBD. Besides the benefits, CBD has potential risks you should understand before considering giving to children. CBD is useful across the board, despite the age. However, it can only be beneficial if used in the correct potencies. The CBD you give to children matters since each has different potential health benefits. Consider broad spectrum and isolate CBD oil since the full spectrum has THC. Also, marijuana-based CBD is not recommended for kids due to its high THC levels. CBD is popular for its health benefits, including some kids' conditions.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD is an organic compound derived from either organic hemp plant, marijuana, or cannabis sativa. The molecular compounds of CBD oil for cannabis sativa and hemp plants are inherently different. The plants contain other chemical compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, unlike other elements, THC should worry you, especially if CBD is for kids. According to Crippa et al. (2016), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has an intoxicating side effect. Although the 2018 Farm Bill restricted THC levels to 0.3% to minimize the intoxicating effects, the kids might still respond to it.

Health Benefits of CBD In Children

Although multiple clinical trials have been done on CBD, including in children, most of them are yet to be approved. However, Elliott et al. (2020) stated that CBD can be used to tread Epidiolex in children. The research also notes that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the health benefit of CBD for treating epilepsy. There are two forms of Epidiolex in children; Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes.

Several studies also suggest that CBD can be used to treat autism, as described by Bar-Lev Schlieider et al. (2019). CD can be used to treat autism. The research involved 188 kids who have autism from age 5 to 18. CBD is administered for one month sublingually. After 6 months, 30% of the population showed significant improvement. However, side effects such as a change in appetite, sleepiness, and reflux were reported in some kids.

According to Blessing et al. (2015), CBD has remarkably improved children suffering from anxiety. The research shows that CBD is suitable for addressing various anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, more clinical trials are required to establish CBD oil's impact on children suffering from anxiety and the appropriate doses.

What are the Risks of CBD Oil in Children?

Although CBD has shown promising outcomes in children, some side effects exist. The negative impact of CBD oil in kids might be more severe than in adults. CBD is only safe in children if the potency levels are contained, for CBD and THC. THC has intoxicating side effects. When hemp-based products were legalized, THC levels were restricted to 0.3%. Although the levels sound insignificant, they can negatively impact making them dizzy, anxious, or cause diarrhea. See medical advice if you are considering CBD to improve your child's health conditions. Avoid using other drugs alongside CBD unless it is recommended. Drugs with possible intoxicating side effects heighten the psychoactive side effects of THC. Therefore, only use one drug at a time.

Which Type of CBD is Safe for Kids?

Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate are all effective for various treatments. However, full-spectrum might not be safe for kids. Broad-spectrum CBD would work best since it has various elements that enhance its entourage effect. The absence of THC in broad-spectrum CBD makes it suitable for kids to avoid the intoxicating side effects. Isolate CBD is also a suitable alternative for treating various conditions in children. However, unlike broad-spectrum, it is only limited to CBD-related health benefits. Despite the absence of THC in broad-spectrum and isolate CBD, kids should be given low doses of up to 10 mg to avoid any possible effects.

Suitable Forms of CBD for Kids

It sounds wrong to expose your children to CBD vape products. Therefore, consider safe forms of CBD for your kids. You can give them;

CBD Oil

CBD oil is effective and offered in different potencies. Typically, it should be administered under the tongue for rapid effectiveness. However, CBD oil contains an awful earthly taste that kids dislike. You can go for flavored options to make it friendly to children; before giving any specific potency of CBD oil to kids, discuss the possible risks with your doctor.

CBD Gummies

Children find gummies exciting and irresistible. CBD-infused gummies are friendly and contain various flavors that might excite kids, including strawberry and raspberry. They are infused with specific potencies from 5 mg to over 50 mg per CBD gummy. Consider one 5mg of CBD gummy every day for kids. Notably, keep them away from kids, preferably in high areas, to avoid kids coming in contact with the gummies and abusing them.

Is CBD Legal?

The legality of CBD within the US is quite confusing. Hemp-based CBD is legal, while marijuana-based is not. However, according to the 2018 Farm Bill, as long as THC levels of CBD are below 0.3%, they are legal. Besides, the federal governments determine the legality of hemp-based products within their territories. As a result, 12 states are yet to uplift free usage of CBD, including Alaska, Nebraska, and Idaho.

Conclusion

CBD is a sensitive element, especially for kids. Although it might have several health benefits, it also has potential threats. Consider either broad-spectrum or isolate CBD since they are void of THC. However, they should be administered in considerable amounts and potencies. Lab results for any form of CBD meant for kids are important and a mandatory requirement. Avoid CBD products from an FDA or IOS-certified lab without the lab results. Confirm the actual potency levels of the product using the lab results to avoid overdosing on your child unknowingly. Also, check whether the product has been contaminated during the process. Avoid CBD products with artificial elements since they might not deliver the intended function. Chemical solvents also interfere with the potency levels. Lastly, avoid CBD products from kids, especially flavored options, since they might abuse them unknowingly.

References

Bar-Lev Schleider, L., Mechoulam, R., Saban, N., Meiri, G., & Novack, V. (2019). Real life experience of medical cannabis treatment in autism: analysis of safety and efficacy. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-7.

Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836.

Crippa, J. A., Crippa, A. C., Hallak, J. E., Martín-Santos, R., & Zuardi, A. W. (2016). Δ9-THC intoxication by cannabidiol-enriched cannabis extract in two children with refractory epilepsy: full remission after switching to purified cannabidiol. Frontiers in pharmacology, 7, 359.

Elliott, J., DeJean, D., Potter, B. K., Coyle, D., Clifford, T., McCoy, B., & Wells, G. A. (2020). Neurologists' perspectives on medical cannabis for pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy in Canada: A qualitative interview study. Seizure, 78, 118-126.