The worldwide market for CBD had a reported value of $4.6 billion in 2018. This is likely to grow consistently over the coming years. One of the reasons for this expansion is the versatility of CBD. It can help many different kinds of people with many different ailments. This has led many parents to ask the question; is CBD safe for kids? It could be a great treatment option for many of the issues that affect young people, but parents worry about possible side-effects because it comes from the cannabis plant.
Read on as we explain everything you need to know about CBD for young people.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the two main active compounds in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it does not bring about any psychoactive effects in users (in other words, it won’t get you high).
However, CBD does carry many of the important health benefits of the cannabis plant. It’s therefore a good option for anyone who needs to treat a certain condition or symptom with cannabis while staying sober.
CBD is available in many different forms. The most common of these is CBD oil, which can be consumed raw or added to different foods and drinks.
There is a wide range of other products as well, however. We stock gummies, capsules, sprays, tinctures, topicals, and even pet treats!
What Can CBD Treat?
CBD works in a few different ways. Scientists can’t comment on its full potential yet, as studies on the compound’s effects were quite rare until recently.
However, while there is some academic indecision about what exactly CBD can do, there are important things we do know.
By acting on various receptors in our endocannabinoid system, CBD can help to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is behind many common conditions that affect children, including rashes and stings.
Whether you apply it topically or as part of food, CBD can greatly reduce the impact of these issues in children.
CBD has also been shown to ease anxiety in many cases. Cannabinoids have a calming effect on the nervous system, which may alleviate stress and panic and may also help children to sleep.
This can be a particularly useful intervention for children with autism. Because many such children require regular sedation, CBD has become popular among parents looking for a less harmful substitute to traditional drugs.
Another condition for which CBD has had massive results in children is epilepsy, as well as other conditions that cause seizures. CBD can act to manage the frequency and severity of these seizures and can be as effective as traditional pharmaceutical treatments.
Is CBD Safe for Kids?
There is much discussion around cannabis use by children. While experts agree that moderate cannabis use in adulthood is unlikely to cause any health issues, childhood or adolescent use can result in improper neurological development.
Therefore, doctors recommend that children refrain from taking THC products. However, do the same rules apply to non-psychoactive CBD?
The available evidence suggests that CBD will not cause children any harm if you administer it in responsible doses. A daily dose of 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight is usually thought to be acceptable.
The FDA has approved CBD products for the treatment of certain kinds of epilepsy in children. However, anecdotal evidence shows that it can have a much wider range of health benefits for kids.
Remember, CBD is non-toxic, and studies suggest that it may be safe to consume almost any amount of it, at least as an adult. Most of the warnings in terms of administering CBD to children are given as a precaution, as there is no evidence that CBD brings about any particular health risk for younger people.
If you’re still unsure of whether CBD oil is the right step for you and your child, consult your pediatrician.
In What Ways Can Children Take CBD?
There are many different ways of ingesting CBD. When it comes to kids, however, it’s always important to remember that they’re not always happy to eat or drink what you put in front of them.
With that in mind, gummies are possibly the best way to give your kids their daily CBD. Almost every kid enjoys eating candy, and CBD-infused gummies taste exactly the same as any others.
If your child’s issue related to physical pain in a specific part of the body, you should consider using a topical CBD product.
By rubbing CBD directly onto the afflicted area, you’re focusing its healing capabilities. It may also save trouble with children who prefer not to consume medicines.
Can Pets Take CBD?
CBD isn’t just for the human members of your household. It also has many applications for animals.
As an anti-inflammatory, CBD can be very helpful for cases of arthritis. This is a common cause of joint pain in older pets, which means that topical CBD solution is likely to have a positive effect.
Remember, CBD is an all-natural medication. Your pet is far less likely to react negatively to CBD than a lab-developed medicine.
A Safe Medical Alternative for Young People in 2020
So, is CBD safe for kids? While it is natural for parents to worry about questions like this, there doesn’t appear to be any reason to deprive your children of the healing power of CBD. In fact, it’s probably a lot better for your kids than some traditional treatment options for some conditions.
If you’d like to learn more about how CBD can help you, your children, or your pets, or you’d like to order one of our products, contact us today.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.