CBD is everywhere: local gas stations, bars, and restaurants. The blanket claim: is to reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve overall well-being. But is CBD safe for children, and for what uses?
Cannabidiol, its full name, comes from cannabis and the hemp plant. However, it doesn’t contain any THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis responsible for producing a high on consumption.
A quick look at the online shop canadacannabisdispensary shows that CBD comes in oil, topical applications, edibles, and cocktails. It’s in virtually everything these days. It’s been studied extensively, with some evidence suggesting it can help treat cancer forms and even fight against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
CBD & Children: Can CBD Help Childhood Disorders?
Adults can use CBD to treat their ailments, but parents are now also turning to it to help their kids, whether to help them sleep better, calm them down, and more.
It should be noted that while it’s a popular product, there hasn’t been too much research into its effects on children. That said, the studies that have been conducted are very promising.
So with this in mind, here is how CBD helps keep your kid calm.
CBD For Anxiety
According to Daily CBD Mag, children with anxiety can benefit from CBD. In 2015, one study investigated CBD’s use to treat anxiety. They reviewed nearly 50 studies, and the results were encouraging.
While the studies they looked at came from animal testing, the evidence “conclusively demonstrates CBD’s efficacy in reducing anxiety behaviors relevant to multiple disorders,” Dr. Blessing wrote. Those include generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and OCD.”
This suggests that children suffering from anxiety or having difficulty with social interactions can benefit from CBD. The study concludes, “Overall, current evidence indicates CBD has considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders with a need for further study of chronic and therapeutic effects in relevant clinical populations.”
CBD For Autism
Autistic children can also benefit from CBD. A team of Israeli researchers looked at how CBD could relieve the symptoms that autistic children often face. The study involved 60 children, and the results showed that they improved across several areas, including outbursts, communication, and anxiety.
Parents were also participants in that study. They were found to have lower stress levels than when their children were not taking CBD.
Improved Quality Of Sleep
Another essential factor to consider is the quality of sleep. CBD has been found to improve sleep, helping reduce anxiety and calming children down.
A study was conducted on a 10-year-old introduced to CBD to improve their sleep after a traumatic experience. After taking the CBD, the child reported much better sleep quality. Once your child consumes it, it can be stored safely with cannabis storage.
CBD enhances alertness and activity during the day when taken in small doses. So, when it’s time to go to bed, the sleep intensity is much better, and the whole sleep-wake cycle is much improved.
Research Boom
Due to the change in laws and guidelines, there has been an enormous boom in research into CBD’s effects. CBD was a Schedule 1 substance but has since been removed from this list. The DEA announced this change, “Because CBD contains less than 1 percent THC and has shown some potential medicinal value, there is great interest in studying it for medical applications.”
Since the change in stance, the FDA has approved CBD for treating rare and severe forms of epilepsy. The drug that gained approval is called Epidiolex, and it’s only the first of many to come in the future, particularly with the FDA expressing enthusiasm for the product.
“We’ll continue to support rigorous scientific research on the potential medical uses of marijuana-derived products and work with product developers interested in bringing patients safe and effective, high-quality products,” the FDA pledged.
Is CBD Safe?
The World Health Organization (WHO) started CBD’s use after increasing interest in its medicinal properties. Their report concluded that “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.”
The report also stated, “To date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with pure CBD.”
As such, CBD is safe to use. And as noted by CBD Kyro, there are very few side effects of using CBD, but even those that do occur are mild, such as a slight change in appetite.
The WHO has also acknowledged its use for treating epilepsy in terms of its effectiveness. They note that “there is also preliminary evidence that CBD may be useful for several other medical conditions.”
What Else Is Known About CBD?
In 1851, the United States Pharmacopeia classified marijuana as a viable treatment for pain, migraines, and epilepsy.
There has been a plethora of research into marijuana and CBD since the law changes 1970. Still, its classification as a Schedule 1 drug made it difficult (nigh on impossible) to get federal clearance and funding to study them.
The biggest problem is there’s a lot that we still need to know, especially in kids. Regarding treating mental health disorders in children and adolescents, there’s a lack of evidence to support its use.
Dr. Paul Mitrani of the Child Mind Institute
Of course, this is only because a handful of studies commenced on children’s effects.
Conclusion
Here’s the bottom line: CBD helps to keep your kid calm.
It has several benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety and improving sleep, all crucial factors in calming down a child.
The evidence to date supports these claims. However, you must consult a doctor or physician before giving your child CBD.