CBD oil is a concentrate, tincture, or cannabis extract with a high concentration of cannabidiol (CBD) derived from marijuana or hemp. It is a growing health and wellness trend and one of the most hotly debated products. A number of reasons have contributed to the rise of CBD oil in the twenty-first century. These include the essential oil boom in the wellness sector and the expanding area of study that attributes many of cannabis’s most sought-after medicinal effects to CBD.
Many parents wonder if CBD oil is a safer medication for their sick children than traditional medicines. Is CBD oil for toddlers safe? We’ll discuss:
- How can we use CBD oil for toddlers
- How it interacts with the body
- The factors parents should consider when considering CBD oil as a treatment option for their toddlers
What is CBD oil?
CBD is a chemical compound found in marijuana (Cannabis sativa) and hemp plants. CBD has the same chemical composition after being extracted from either plant. Nevertheless, there are differences between the two.
One of the main differences between hemp and Cannabis sativa is the amount of resin contained. Marijuana is a high-resin plant, and hemp is a low-resin plant.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical compound that provides marijuana with its intoxicating properties. It is also present in the resin. Marijuana has far more THC than hemp.
THC may or may not be present in CBD generated from marijuana plants. This is also true, although to a lesser extent, with hemp-derived CBD.
To prevent giving THC to your children, always choose to isolate CBD over full-spectrum CBD, whether hemp-derived or marijuana-derived.
However, besides Epidiolex, a prescription medication, there is no way to guarantee that a CBD product is THC-free.
Forms of CBD
You may find CBD oil for toddlers in a variety of forms. Commercially prepared baked goods and drinks are one common form. However, this might make determining the amount of CBD in any product difficult.
Aside from prescription medicines like Epidiolex, controlling the amount of CBD administered to any toddler using these products is difficult, if not impossible. Other forms of CBD include:
CBD (cannabidiol) oil. CBD oil is labeled in a variety of potencies. People usually take it under the tongue, although it is also available in capsule form. CBD oil has a distinct, earthy flavor and an aftertaste that many toddlers may find unpleasant. It’s also available in flavored oil form. Discuss all potential risks with your child’s doctors before using CBD oil.
Gummies. CBD-infused gummies might help you overcome your dislike of the oil’s taste. Because they taste like candy, keep the gummies somewhere your children won’t find them.
Transdermal patches. CBD can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream through patches. Therefore, they may provide a consistent level of CBD over time.
How can we use CBD oil for toddlers?
CBD oil can treat a variety of diseases in children. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved it for one condition: epilepsy.
1. Epilepsy
The FDA has approved a CBD-based medication to treat difficult-to-control seizures in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two rare types of epilepsy.
Epidiolex is an oral solution derived from Cannabis sativa that contains purified CBD. Epidiolex was studied in three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled medication trials, with 516 patients suffering from Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
When compared to a placebo, the medication helped to lower seizure frequency. Other studies have shown similar results.
Epidiolex is a medication that is carefully manufactured and delivered. There is no scientific evidence that store-bought CBD oil, in any form, will have the same effect on seizures. Any CBD oil product, however, may include the same risks as Epidiolex.
This medication has the potential to cause negative effects and is not without risk. You and your child’s doctor should talk about the advantages and disadvantages of Epidiolex.
Possible side effects include:
- Feeling tired and sleepy
- Increased levels of liver enzymes
- Diminished appetite
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- A feeling of weakness in the body
- Sleep problems such as sleeplessness and poor sleep quality
- Infections
Serious risks are less likely. However, they may include the following:
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Agitation
- Depression
- Aggressive behavior
- Panic attacks
- Injury to the liver
2. Autism
Several research studies that have analyzed the use of medicinal cannabis or CBD oil for toddlers with autism have claimed that symptoms of autism may improve.
One study examined 188 autistic children aged 5 to 18 years old. Participants in the study were given a solution containing 30% CBD oil and 1.5 percent THC, which was put under the tongue three times each day. After one month of use, most participants improved symptoms such as seizures, restlessness, and anger attacks. Symptoms continued to improve for most of the research participants during 6 months.
Sleepiness, a loss of appetite, and reflux were among the reported side effects. During the research, the children continued to take other medications, such as antipsychotics and sedatives.
Because there was no control group, the researchers warned that we should consider their results with caution. Unfortunately, this prevented them from finding a link between cannabis usage and symptom reduction.
Other studies are currently being conducted worldwide to discover if there are safe and effective CBD doses for children with autism.
3. Anxiety
CBD oil may help lower anxiety in some animal and human studies, though this claim has not been sufficiently researched in toddlers.
Preclinical research suggests that we could use CBD oil to treat anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (PTSD).
A study of one 10-year-old kid with PTSD found that CBD oil lowered her anxiety and improved her sleep.
4. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
There has been little study on the benefits and risks of CBD oil for toddlers with ADHD. However, according to anecdotal evidence, some parents report a reduction in their children’s symptoms after using CBD oil, while others report no effect.
There is currently insufficient research to determine if CBD oil for toddlers is an effective treatment for ADHD.
The bottom line
CBD oil for toddlers is useful in treating seizures in children with rare kinds of epilepsy. It is not, however, FDA-approved for any other type of kid health problem.
A large number of companies manufacture CBD oil for toddlers. However, it is difficult to determine if a product is safe and provides an accurate dosage because it is not federally regulated. In addition, THC and other toxins can sometimes be found in CBD oil.
CBD oil has not been studied extensively for its use in toddlers. It can help with disorders like autism. However, the products you buy online or off the market may not be the same as those provided by doctors or used in research.
Many parents have reported that CBD oil is useful to their children anecdotally. However, when it comes to your child, proceed with caution. Always consult your child’s doctor before beginning any new supplements or medications.
