Is CBD Safe For Children? Here's What You Need To Know

CBD (cannabidiol) oil has been growing in popularity over the last few years as more research comes out showing how effective it can be for relieving many medical ailments such as pain, anxiety, and epilepsy, to name just a few of its benefits. Because CBD oil can come from either marijuana or hemp, both of which are derived from the cannabis plant, it may come as no surprise that many people wonder if CBD oil is safe to give to children. In this article we’ll discuss what you need to know about CBD for children.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of more than 100 active cannabinoid chemicals in Cannabis. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a group of endogenous cannabinoid receptors located in our central nervous system, which is involved in many physiological processes such as pain perception, appetite, and mood regulation. These receptors are essential in maintaining homeostasis throughout all body systems. They are found on cell membranes throughout our bodies and brains where they work to maintain balance.

Cannabinoids and how they work

The body produces a number of chemicals called cannabinoids. These interact with receptors in your brain, immune system and central nervous system to create effects that help regulate things like pain perception, appetite and mood. There are two important types of cannabinoids you should know about: endocannabinoids (produced naturally by your body) and phytocannabinoids (found in plants). Endocannabinoids are part of a healthy lifestyle, but many experts believe that phytocannabinoids may be an important part of health care. The main reason is that most products that use phytocannabinoids also contain THC—the compound known for creating feelings of euphoria associated with marijuana use.

Why should we give it to children?

Many parents today have turned to medical marijuana in an effort to find new and alternative ways of treating their children who suffer from debilitating conditions. Such conditions range from epilepsy, autism, ADHD, and even terminal illnesses. While many physicians often recommend hemp oil in general as a possible solution for treating such ailments, we are here today talk about Cannabidiol (CBD). After all, isn’t it better than treating symptoms with opiates and other harmful drugs? Well yes and no. Like any other medicine or treatment method that involves ingesting substances into your body; there is a very real risk of both short-term side effects as well as long-term complications.

Side effects of CBD for children

Because CBD and other cannabis products are only recently becoming more mainstream, there’s still a lot we don’t know about them. That includes side effects. While experts have yet to identify long-term side effects from using CBD products, they suggest that short-term use could cause minor issues such as tiredness, irritability and diarrhea. These adverse reactions shouldn’t last longer than a few days, however. There have also been some reports of fatigue in people who use CBD oil regularly but these are likely not related to its use.

Dosage of CBD for kids

Start low, go slow. If you’re considering using CBD oil as a supplement for your child, it’s important to take a few things into consideration. First, determine whether or not they suffer from any pre-existing conditions. A doctor can do blood work and make sure there are no adverse reactions with current medications or health problems before starting your child on a new supplement like cannabidiol (CBD). Be sure that you understand all of its natural health benefits and risks before trying it out with your kids. Doctors often recommend anywhere between 10-25mg per day of hemp oil extract depending on age and weight. Any more than that could result in vomiting or drowsiness, so follow doses carefully according to packaging instructions if recommended by a professional.

Can you get high from taking cannabis oil?

One of the most common questions we hear is whether or not you can get high from taking CBD. It’s a valid question—cannabis does cause a high, after all—but it’s often misunderstood by people who are new to cannabis and CBD. A better question is: can you overdose on hemp-derived CBD oil? And, more importantly, is ingesting too much hemp-derived CBD oil bad for your health in any way? In short: no, you cannot overdose on hemp-derived CBD oil because it has next to zero THC content. Since it also does not get users high per se, there are no lasting side effects related to overconsumption either.

Legal status of cannabis in Canada

Over-the-counter and prescription methods are both viable options, but both have their pros and cons. Over-the-counter products generally aren’t as potent or as powerful as prescriptions, which can often help reduce pain significantly more than natural remedies. Additionally, over-the-counter medicine is typically much less expensive than prescriptions. However, some people prefer taking prescriptions because they know exactly how much medicine they’re getting per dose (this can be especially important if you’re worried about dosage sizes). Also keep in mind that many over-the-counter products contain dyes and other unwanted additives. Other major considerations when choosing a method include price and ease of access.

Buying your own product or using a prescription?

CBD is a legal product that is widely available across most U.S. states. And there are several options for purchasing it, including online, at smoke shops and natural-food stores and even brick-and-mortar pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS (although these may not carry all of these products). However, since cannabidiol has yet to be FDA approved, only oils from hemp plants or seeds can be sold in U.S. markets—even if they are high in CBD rather than THC. That said, some parents may want access to a standardized prescription with specific cannabinoid content levels so they know exactly what they're giving their child every time they administer a dose.