Many people claim to have benefited from using CBD oil and its products. Generally, CBD oil is not a one-cure-all substance, and there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that CBD oil is effective for most conditions it is claimed to help with. However, with the hype around CBD, you may want to try CBD oil for your teenage child with a certain condition but are unsure of the safety of the cannabinoid. This article discusses the safety of CBD oil, especially for teens, what a parent needs to know as he gives his teen CBD oil, and a few reminders regarding CBD oil and associated topics.
Understanding CBD Oil
CBD is a compound in the hemp plant and is one of the many active components in cannabis plants, also called cannabinoids. CBD oil can be extracted from hemp or marijuana plants, but most brands specialize in hemp-derived CBD oil in harmony with the Farm Bill of 2018 that decriminalized hemp-derived CBD oil with less than 0.3% THC. CBD oil occurs in three forms; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates. Full and broad-spectrum formulations guarantee a full entourage effect because they have many cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Isolate CBD oil with pure CBD without other cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids. There are many delivery methods to enjoy CBD oil, including edibles, vapes, capsules and softgels, topicals, and tinctures.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Teenagers?
CBD oil is generally safe, but there are no sufficient studies to give CBD oil credit for healing, treating, diagnosing, or helping with most of the purported health benefits. Secondly, the FDA does not regulate the production of non-prescription CBD oil, meaning that it is difficult to determine the right dosages of CBD oil to give your teenager. What’s more, the CBD industry is largely unregulated, and there is the possibility of product misinformation, particularly regarding the potency and purity of products. While giving teenagers CBD oil sounds safe; there are risks. Besides, some CBD products might have contaminants such as heavy metals, microbials, filth, mycotoxins, and more.
The FDA Has Approved Cannabis-Derived Drug
The hype around CBD oil is increasing every day for all possible reasons. While most products people take to enjoy CBD oil and its purported health benefits are largely non-prescription, there is one prescription option. Epidiolex is an FDA-approved medication for managing Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut, two rare forms of epilepsy. However, you cannot self-diagnose and get yourself Epidiolex since it is a prescription drug. Since the FDA allows the drug to be used by adults and minors, it might suggest that CBD oil may be safe for teens since it is one of the many compounds in cannabis plants that form the primary ingredients in the drug.
Why Do Some Parents Give Teens CBD Oil or Its Products?
In reality, most parents might not prefer to give their teens CBD oil or its products unless there is a pressing issue. For instance, some parents give teens CBD oil to;
- Help them deal with pain. According to research by Bruni, et al. (2018), CBD oil might help people manage pain since it appears to have some anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
- Promote their digestive health. One study by Klára, & Sándor, (2016) claims that CBD oil might help maintain good health in the digestive tract.
- Help them manage stress. Blessing, et al. (2015) suggests that CBD might have calming effects and may help a person manage stress.
- Manage seizures, as suggested by Silvestro, et al. (2019) that credit CBD oil might help reduce seizures in children
- Boost overall health and manage weight, although CBD studies provide mixed findings on the effects of CBD oil on weight.
What to Know If You Choose CBD Oil for Teens
Consider the following when administering CBD oil to a teenager;
Research on CBD Oil Is Limited
While the hype about CBD oil increases, there is so much missing information about cannabinoids. The long-term effects of CBD oil on the body and how the product works are among the many things we do not know about the cannabinoid.
The Legality of CBD Oil for Teenagers Is Unclear
Although CBD oil is legal at federal levels, this doesn’t apply for teenagers, and the legality has a lot of murkiness. For instance, most states will not sell CBD oil to minors, especially those under 18 years.
Consult Your Doctor Before Giving Your Teen CBD Oil
Because of the many uncertainties surrounding CBD oil, you need to speak to your doctor before giving your teen CBD oil. Consulting your doctor helps you know the likely effects the cannabinoid might have on your teen and possible drug interaction if your teen is taking other medications.
Side Effects of CBD Oil
While there is no reason to deem CBD oil as unsafe, you have to put up with some side effects of the cannabinoid. Therefore, when you give your teen CBD oil, prepare him and yourself for some side effects. For example, he might feel drowsy or dizzy, lose weight and appetite, and have dry lips.
Conclusion
CBD oil has popularized in popularity, and some parents are giving teens the cannabinoid. While there is no basis for deeming CBD oil unsafe, there is not enough scientific evidence to claim it is helpful, especially for most of its benefits. Besides, many uncertainties surround CBD oil, and some brands deal in contaminated products. If you choose to give your teen CBD oil, speak to your doctor first.
References
Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol As A Potential Treatment For Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836.
Bruni, N., Della Pepa, C., Oliaro-Bosso, S., Pessione, E., Gastaldi, D., & Dosio, F. (2018). Cannabinoid Delivery Systems For Pain And Inflammation Treatment. Molecules, 23(10), 2478.
Klára, G., & Sándor, Z. Z. (2016). Role Of Cannabinoids In Gastrointestinal Mucosal Defense And Inflammation. Silvestro, S., Mammana, S., Cavalli, E., Bramanti, P., & Mazzon, E. (2019). Use Of Cannabidiol In The Treatment Of Epilepsy: Efficacy And Security In Clinical Trials. Molecules, 24(8), 1459.
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