Many adults are turning to CBD to help treat a variety of health conditions, including pain, anxiety, and insomnia. But there is also growing interest in using CBD as an alternative treatment for children with similar health issues.
CBD is generally considered safe, but there is very little research into its safety and efficacy for children, leading parents to ask if it is ok for their kids. While there is promising evidence suggesting CBD is helpful for children, many claims of CBD’s positive effects are anecdotal.
At Dutch Natural Healing, we believe CBD should be a life-promoting experience and understand the importance of accurate information. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about CBD, including 7 things you should consider before giving it to kids.
What Is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring chemical compound derived from the hemp plant.
Hemp contains multiple chemical compounds, including a group referred to as “cannabinoids”. Researchers have primarily studied two of these - CBD and THC - to understand their wellness and medicinal purposes.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it does not produce the “high” associated with marijuana. This is unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which causes psychoactive effects. Depending on the extraction method, CBD products can have zero to trace amounts of THC in them.
It is believed that CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This regulatory system plays a role in the management of our internal processes like sleep and mood.
New to the world of CBD? For more knowledge, read our introduction to CBD.
What Should Parents Consider When Using CBD For Kids?
Before you choose a CBD product for your child, there’s a lot to consider. While many will be the same as if you were buying for yourself, some considerations are slightly different.
1. What Are the Potential Benefits of CBD for Kids?
CBD is an increasingly popular substance, with many benefits attributed to it. Evidence has found that CBD can assist with the regulation of vital physiological functions, such as:
- Chronic pain
- Mood and stress levels
- Blood pressure
- Sleep
- Respiratory health
- Exercise recovery
- Memory and learning
- Appetite
2. What Can CBD Help Kids With?
CBD has been studied for its medicinal and well-being purposes, with evidence showing it may help children with certain health conditions.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to explore the latest research on CBD for kids. It is not intended as medical advice. Further research is required to fully support and understand its effectiveness and safety in children.
Stress and Anxiety
Early research has demonstrated CBD’s potential to help reduce multiple anxiety behaviors in children. The results found that using CBD for kids with anxiety issues may be effective in the treatment of social anxiety disorder, OCD and PTSD.
As these are supported by human experimental findings, this would suggest minimal sedative effects and an excellent safety profile. However, this research has only just emerged and further testing in children is needed to fully support these claims.
Sleep
Anxiety behaviors can contribute to poor quality sleep. Given CBD’s potential to help anxiety, it may also help reduce sleeplessness and certain sleep disorders in children.
CBD has also been shown to have a calming effect on the nervous system and many users report better sleep after using CBD. Research into these effects is still in the preliminary stages but a study exploring CBD in humans with diagnosed insomnia offers more insight.
Whether these effects also reach children is unclear, as not everyone experiences the same sleep benefits from CBD use.
Pain Relief
CBD is fast emerging as an effective agent for chronic pain and reducing inflammation. There are claims that the non-psychoactive compounds in CBD provide pain-relieving effects through its interactions and modulation of the ECS.
Autism
Several studies have claimed that CBD shows promising improvements for kids on the autism spectrum. Generally speaking, there are several benefits of CBD for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Epilepsy
There is strong evidence that demonstrates CBD is effective at reducing seizure frequency in children with epilepsy.
Epidiolex is a prescription medication that contains purified cannabidiol (CBD) as its active ingredient. This is in liquid form and is the only medication approved specifically for the treatment of two rare and severe forms of epilepsy in children.
3. What Are the Types of CBD for Kids?
There are several types of CBD that parents can consider for their children, depending on individual needs.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is the best-known form of CBD. It’s typically available as tinctures and can be applied orally by placing drops under the tongue (sublingual administration), adding it to food, or mixing it into a beverage.
Our ISO-certified CBD oil delivers a variety of therapeutic benefits. Based on our proven effective and 100% organic hemp extract, our products are completely safe and compliant with EU regulations.
CBD oil has a distinctive, earthy taste that some kids may dislike. For oral use, flavored CBD is available.
CBD Edibles
CBD edibles are food/drink products infused with cannabidiol. These can come in many different forms including gummies, capsules, snacks, baked goods, beverages and soft gels.
CBD edibles are a great alternative for children who don’t like the taste of CBD oil or holding droplets under their tongue - especially if they are younger. Edibles are tasty, discreet and can be easily incorporated into your child’s routine.
CBD Cosmetics
CBD cosmetics (or topicals) are CBD-infused products that are applied directly to the skin, allowing CBD to be absorbed into the bloodstream (transdermal administration). Topicals come in various forms such as creams, balms, patches, soaps and gels.
CBD cosmetics are useful for children who prefer not to ingest CBD orally, or who need more targeted pain relief. For example, CBD patches can be worn on various parts of the body and are designed to provide a steady and consistent release of CBD.
4. What Are Some Concerns About CBD?
Like anything, there are concerns around the general use of CBD, not just the use of it for children.
Lack of Research
The general concern surrounding CBD is the limited amount of research on its safety and long-term effects.
While there is promising evidence demonstrating the safety and benefits of CBD, studies are in their infancy. There have been few human studies on the effectiveness of CBD, meaning there is not sufficient enough research to determine any CBD benefits for children.
Quality Control
CBD products are mostly unregulated, resulting in some companies having a lack of quality control measures.
This can lead to inconsistencies in the purity and potency of certain CBD products. Buyers also have to rely on company quality assurances and anecdotal evidence to determine safety and effectiveness.
Ingredients
Some CBD products may contain other ingredients and chemicals which can be harmful. This can include THC, which could have negative effects on the cognitive development of children. You should ensure the product contains little to no THC.
A COA (Certificate of Analysis) will provide information about CBD levels, THC levels (if any), and contaminants in the product. Companies that don’t provide a COA make it harder to verify the safety of the product.
Dosage
CBD content levels on a product label may not necessarily be the amount that the product contains. It may have more or less than advertised, which may lead people to take the wrong CBD dosage, including more or less than intended.
Delivery Rates
Very little is known about the rate at which CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream. Certain product formulations can also affect bioavailability, making them unreliable in their ability to deliver the optimal amount of CBD. Others can help you receive greater levels of CBD in your bloodstream, like our water-soluble CBDactive+.
Medical Interactions
One of the most serious concerns is that CBD may interact with other medications your child is taking.
The compound might affect how these existing medications interact with the body. This could potentially increase the risk of side effects or slow down metabolization in the liver, decreasing the effectiveness of other medications.
5. What Are the Potential Risks of CBD for Kids?
CBD is generally considered safe to use. Most people do not experience any significant negative effects from taking CBD. Whether the same can be said for use in children is still unclear.
Some very rare instances of side effects associated with CBD use include:
- Dry mouth
- Rash
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Fatigue/drowsiness
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Gastrointestinal reactions
- Liver damage
Is CBD Safe for Kids?
There is no definitive answer to whether CBD is fully safe for kids. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reviewed the evidence for CBD’s safety and efficacy, and has recognized its use as “generally well tolerated with a good safety profile”.
Any side effects experienced from using CBD products are usually minor, with adverse effects likely being a result of interactions with a patient’s existing medications. WHO’s report also found CBD to be non-addictive, with no indication of any risk of recreational use or dependency as a result of using CBD.
Always consult a pediatrician before giving CBD to your child.
6. Is CBD Legal?
In general, CBD derived from hemp, which contains less than 0.3% THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis), is legal in many countries, including the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia.
There are still some restrictions and regulations surrounding the use and distribution of CBD though. For example, in the United States, CBD products must comply with certain federal and state regulations.
7. How to Choose a CBD Product for Kids
When choosing a CBD product for your child, it is important to consider the following factors:
|
Source of CBD |
Look for products made from high-quality hemp that is organically grown in clean, nutrient-rich soil. |
|
Third-Party Testing & COA (Certificate of Analysis) |
Look for products that have been tested by an independent third-party laboratory. Ensure the test results and COA are easily accessible. |
|
Type of CBD |
Consider the three main types of CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. |
|
THC Content |
Choose products that contain zero or less than 0.3% THC. |
|
Administration Method |
Consider the child's preferences and needs and ensure you follow the dosing instructions. |
|
Brand Reputation |
Choose a reputable brand with a track record of producing high-quality CBD products. |
The Bottom Line
When it comes to kids using CBD, there’s a lot to consider. However, this isn’t largely different from the considerations you would take when choosing CBD products for adults.
CBD is generally considered safe to use, and evidence suggesting CBD is effective in many ways for children is promising. However, CBD for kids is still somewhat controversial and there is no definitive answer as to its safety and efficacy.
While we are hopeful that CBD can be beneficial for kids, everyone’s experience is different. If you think your child may benefit from CBD, you should consult a pediatrician first and carefully consider which CBD products might work best for your child.
