5 Things All Parents Should Know About CBD Oil and Their Kids

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CBD (cannabidiol) oil is a trendy health and wellness cure. It’s said to calm the nerves and promise other benefits for overall health and wellness. But is it okay to use CBD for your kids?

In short, yes, it is. Cannabinoids and endocannabinoids occur naturally in the body, and children are exposed to external sources of cannabinoids quite frequently. In fact, human breast milk is an abundant source of endocannabinoids, which assist with infant development.

CBD oil has been used broadly among children with health issues. In one famous case, a six-year-old girl named Charlotte Figi was given CBD oil to calm her seizures.

She was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a debilitating condition that causes seizures and paralysis in the body. Charlotte was experiencing more than 300 epileptic episodes per week and couldn’t move, talk, or eat on her own.

By the time she turned six, her seizures were so bad that doctors didn’t think she would make it. But her mother purchased CBD oil at a local marijuana dispensary, and it changed everything.

Charlotte’s seizures fell to fewer than one episode per week. The strain of CBD oil used to cure Charlotte is now known as Charlotte’s Web, and it’s used often for chronic pain, anxieties, stress, seizures, arthritis, and more among children and adult patients.

Based on this story and other evidence, we know that CBD oil is safe for children, but you should understand a few things before you give any to your children.

1. THC and CBD Are Not the Same

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room first. The hemp plant contains two primary compounds: THC and CBD, and they have very different purposes.

THC is the active ingredient in marijuana, whether for medical or recreational purposes. It binds with your brain’s cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors to create a high. Medications will have a CBD-to-THC ratio, and the higher the THC ratio, the stronger the high.

CBD, on the other hand, does not bind with CB1 receptors in the brain, which means people can’t get high from it. CBD sold over the Internet should not contain THC, so you won’t get high from it.

Over-the-counter CBD oil in legal medical marijuana stores may contain some THC, so keep an eye open for that. But rest assured that if you give pure CBD oil to your child, he or she isn’t ingesting marijuana.

2. Not All CBD Oils Are Created Equally

It’s illegal for over-the-counter CBD oil to contain any amount of THC in most states, but be careful if you buy CBD oil over the Internet. The FDA works hard to shut down any manufacturers of CBD oil that contain THC, but the agency may not catch everyone.

Screen CBD oil very carefully before you make a purchase. In addition, certain CBD products are higher quality than others. Read reviews, talk to other parents, and learn as much as you can about a product to make sure you’re giving your kids the best possible CBD products.

3. CBD Oil Can Help with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorders, Anxiety, and More

Because mainstream use of CBD oils is recent, there’s little documented research to support the use of them to treat autism, sensory processing, anxiety, ADHD, depression, or other disorders for kids. However, there is ample anecdotal and surface research to support its role in relieving these disorders, and some medical doctors do acknowledge the benefits.

They also support further research and studies. It’s essential that you consult with a doctor before giving CBD oils to your kids. Your physician might recommend a prescription-based CBD oil rather than an over-the-counter product, or warn you about CBD oil possibly reacting with other medications.

4. Administer CBD Oil Legally

Although some CBD oil manufacturers will claim the product is legal in every state, that’s not the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has clarified that CBD oil is only legal as an over-the-counter product in states where marijuana is legal.

Otherwise, you’ll need a prescription for your purchase. You can still order it online and have it shipped to you if you live in a state that has not legalized marijuana, but you might face legal consequences, including a call from Child Protective Services (CPS).

If you live in a non-legal marijuana state, go through the proper channels and get a prescription for your CBD oil.

5. CBD Oil Is Not Cheap

Parents who need CBD oil regularly for the health of their children may have to pay upwards of $500 a month out of pocket. Insurance in most states will not cover the purchase, and if you need it regularly, it will cost a small fortune.

The cost will vary depending on the CBD product, where you get it, and what your state taxes are. If you’re struggling to pay, consider writing your legislators to encourage insurance firms to help cover the cost.

CBD oil can be a game changer for children in need if it’s used appropriately. Always speak with your child’s doctor before administering CBD, and go through the proper legal channels to acquire your products.

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