When considering the use of CBD for children, the current availability of CBD in different forms is the main concern for pediatricians and parents alike. However, even with the lack of research and controversial results of several studies, for many families, cannabidiol remains the most effective and safest way to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy in their children.
At the moment, the only CBD-based medication approved by the FDA for children is Epidiolex. This drug is derived from a pure form of CBD oil and is intended to reduce seizures in some severe types of childhood epilepsy. All other drugs with cannabidiol in their composition are still under study and, so far, there is no official confirmation of their safety for children’s health.
However, numerous studies have demonstrated the positive results of the use of CBD in some childhood disorders, and without producing serious side effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also recognized that cannabidiol is safe, and no indication of its potential abuse or dependence has been found.
Clearly, more research is needed to thoroughly study all the benefits and risks of CBD use in children. Consultation with a physician and conscious use of CBD are also strongly recommended, especially when deciding to offer it to children.
Introduction
What do we know today about hemp? First of all, the awareness about the use of the hemp plant has changed in recent times from being just a method to relax to a powerful and promising therapeutic agent.
In fact, it is believed to be beneficial for a number of different diseases and conditions. Numerous studies continue to reveal the health benefits of medical hemp and its cannabinoids in particular.
Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) belong to the most studied and promising hemp products for medical purposes. Both CBD and THC are derived from the hemp plant, although CBD does not create any intoxicating effects or, in other words, cannot make us “high”.
Unlike CBD, THC is the main psychoactive compound in hemp and can produce a “high” sensation. These cannabinoids differ significantly, although both interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system and have a wide range of therapeutic benefits. They are currently available in the form of oils, edibles, supplements, extracts, and creams, among others.
To date, there is still some controversy surrounding hemp products due to their recreational use of hemp. However, there is growing awareness of the potential health benefits of CBD oil, and numerous studies support its safety and lack of intoxicating effects.
Although both CBD and THC have a similar chemical structure, they affect our bodies differently due to a slight difference in the arrangement of atoms. These cannabinoids are made up of twenty-one carbon, thirty hydrogen, and two oxygen atoms.
This chemical structure is similar to the endocannabinoids produced by our endocannabinoid system, which allows CBD and THC to interact with cannabinoid receptors and provide their therapeutic effects.
By interacting with receptors, cannabinoids affect the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, which are responsible for transmitting signals between cells and play a key role in pain, stress, inflammation, immune response, appetite, sleep, and many others. Here are some of the possible health benefits of CBD, confirmed by science:
CBD can reduce anxiety. Cannabidiol’s ability to control anxiety is one of the most well-known. Researchers studying the effects of CBD on our body assume that the anxiety relief provided by this cannabinoid may be due to the change in the response of brain receptors to serotonin, a chemical related to mental health. If you are interested in learning more about CBD, click here for info!
In one of the studies, it is shown that a 600mg dose of CBD can help people suffering from social anxiety in different events, for example, giving a speech in public. It is also suggested that cannabidiol can alleviate anxiety symptoms by reducing stress, inducing sleep in cases of insomnia, decreasing the physiological effects of anxiety (such as increased heart rate), and improving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
