CBD or cannabidiol has recently gained popularity as the best natural tool for dealing with everyday anxiety, stress, pain, and sleep issues. It’s a nonintoxicating plant compound that is derived from hemp plants to make products like CBD gummies, oils, capsules, balms, sprays, and more.

Studies and anecdotal reports do show that it’s safe to consume, has many potential health benefits, and can be used as a reliable product. However, the CBD industry is still largely unregulated, it’s not approved by the FDA, and products are mainly targeted at adult users. 

But is it okay if Kids use CBD products? This is the question that troubles millions of parents across the country. There are not enough studies yet to boldly claim that looking for the best CBD for child anxiety is a good choice.

Some parents do give it to their kids and have observed a positive impact, but then there are also cases of accidental overdosing and cannabis poisoning in kids from consuming subpar-quality products. Let’s explore this topic in detail so that you can make an informed choice for your carbon copy. 

What exactly is CBD? 

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s a plant compound that is mainly found in cannabis and hemp plants. Commercially sold CBD products are made from industrial hemp only as it naturally has low levels of THC ( another cannabinoid, but with intoxicating effects ). 

As per laws, CBD products can not have more than 0.3 THC in them. You can find CBD in various forms: oils that can be dropped under the tongue, gummy candies, creams you can rub on the skin, and even capsules. It’s clinically proven for its antioxidant, analgesic, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties. 

Does it really work or it’s all just hype? 

Yes, CBD does work, it’s not all hype. Of course, brands try to market their products by creating extravagant claims, but that’s just part of the business. There’s plenty of anecdotal as well as scientific data, which shows that using CBD regularly can help with multiple health issues. 

When applied to the skin it can help with itching, dryness, psoriasis, and flakey skin and it also protects skin from environmental damage. When you take it in the form of gummies or oils, it helps you to sleep better, makes you calm and focused, improves your mood, dulls down pain perception, stimulates your appetite, and even helps your muscles to recover faster by increasing the blood flow. 

All of this happens because all mammals have an endocannabinoid system in their bodies, and CBD improves its functioning. That’s why you’ll notice that brands sell pet CBD products as well. CBD improves the functioning of CB1 and CB2 receptors and increases the amount of anandamide produced by the body. 

Anandamide is responsible for modulating pain, mood, and reward pathways, hence with increased anadamide from CBD use, we feel much better, focused, relaxed,d and in better control of our body and thoughts. 

Is it ok for kids to use CBD products? 

Not really, risk to reward ratio is not favorable in most cases. You know what’s the most troublesome part of this equation? Lack of regulations in the industry. Many CBD products on the market are like the Wild West. 

They have inconsistent dosing, potential contamination, and the risk of unexpected THC exposure. Some products might contain more or less CBD than labeled or even trace amounts of psychoactive compounds.

Many pediatrics are concerned that CBD might affect a developing brain, there’s simply not enough long-term study to determine its safety for kids use. The human brain continues developing well into the mid-20s, and introducing external compounds like CBD during critical developmental stages may lead to unforeseen consequences. 

Still, some parents have started giving it to their kids, which is definitely not a good and safe practice. The only FDA-approved CBD product for kid usage is Epidolex, but it’s not regular gummies or oil that any kid can take. 

Epidolex is only given to kids who have severe epilepsy syndromes. It’s deemed safe for kids even as young as 1 year old, but then this is a proper prescription medicine. It has gone through proper trials and safety measures, the same can not be said for your gas store gummies. 

Plus, even during the Epidolex trial, it was observed that there were many potential side effects of CBD use among kids. Like, as sleep disruption, insomnia, increased agitation, gut health issues, diarrhea, decreased appetite, drowsiness, infection, fever, and more. 

When FDA CBD-approved medication can have this much impact, then why would you consider giving regular CBD products to your kid? 

Factors to consider before giving CBD to Kids

If you still decide to give CBD to your kid, then please make sure to do it under the guidance of a medical professional only. Before splurging your money on fancy products, make sure to check lab test reports properly. 

Buy it only from reputed brands that have all the necessary certifications like USDA Hemp, GMP facility, and allergen-free manufacturing environment. Start with a very low dose of max to max 5mg, note down the effects, and don’t increase or decrease it without consulting with a professional. 

Also, go for CBD only when you’ve completely exhausted all other measures like therapy and proper medication. Surveys have shown that so many parents don’t even fully understand CBD’s potential effects and side effects. 

So educate yourself first, check which brand is safe, exhaust all other treatment means,  and then only think about adding it to your kid’s wellness routine. 

The End Part

To sum it up, kids should ideally refrain from using CBD by themselves. There’s not enough data yet to understand its long-term impact on developing brains. Yes, Epidolex is available and approved by the FDA, but it’s only given for epilepsy.  So for your kid’s normal anxiety, sleep, and pain issues, it’s not really a good idea to solely rely on CBD. Mislabeling and adulteration due to lack of regulation are still a major issue. But if you still decide to give your kid CBD, make sure to consult with a doctor first, and only buy it from reputed and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals.