Is CBD safe for children?
In this article, we will look at everything you need to know about giving CBD to children. We will discuss the law, safety aspects, some of the best-known reasons making people use it, and how to calculate the right dose depending on the age and weight of the child. Shall we?
Will CBD have psychoactive effects on my child?
It is the first question most parents ask before deciding to give CBD to their children. The answer to this question is a clear no as long as the THC content of the selected product is less than 0.3%.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant. Thus, it is the ingredient responsible for the psychoactive effects.
On the other hand, CBD is different – it does not have psychoactive effects.
These two cannabinoids are similar in many ways, but there is a fundamental difference in interacting with the body. THC activates several receptors in the brain (CB1 receptors), which trigger the release of serotonin into the brain – causing psychoactive effects. CBD does not activate these receptors. Instead, it works by supporting cannabinoids already present in the body, not inducting any psychoactivity.
Is it legal to give CBD to children?
Recreational cannabis products containing THC are not suitable for children, even they are legally available to adults in some countries. It is entirely illegal to give products with THC to children.
However, as we have already discussed, CBD lies in a different position. In the United States, it is considered a nutritional supplement, for example. Modern extraction techniques allow manufacturers to remove THC from the final product, producing safe and legal supplements for children.
However, we recommend that you consult giving CBD to your child with a pediatrician. 
In which case should I consider giving CBD to a child?
There are many reasons why you may consider giving CBD to a child:
- CBD can help children with pain relief, inflammation, anxiety, insomnia, or excessive stress with the correct dosage.
- CBD is not psychoactive, which means that it will not have any side effects affecting the mind functions. It works just like any other nutritional supplement.
The main reasons why parents start giving their children CBD
1. Anxiety
Children often experience anxiety - whether from nutritional deficiencies, societal pressures at home or school, or difficulties finding friends. It is a standard part of growing up, though, and most kids can handle a rough time without needing pharmaceutical drugs. However, CBD can be used to deal with anxiety in a very efficient way.
The cannabinoid works by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, and their job is to reduce the hyperactivity of the nervous system. It helps the mind to relax after a stressful incident to return to its normal state.
2. Insomnia
Perhaps the most common reason why parents give their children CBD is to fight insomnia. Excessive stimulation can cause many children to have difficulties calming down and relax at the end of the day. When they pop in bed, their brain stays hyperactive for hours after spending a significant amount of time in front of computer screens at home or school. Children who have sleeping troubles are often irritated (of course), making falling asleep even more difficult.
CBD is an excellent supplement to promote sleep. It is not directly sedative, so you do not have to worry about completely knocking your child out. It only slows down hyperactivity in the brain as it gives the child a chance to calm down and fall asleep naturally.
3.Epilepsy
One of the main reasons CBD has become so popular in recent years is its ability to help cope with epilepsy. A high number of studies were completed using children as case subjects.
Extracts high in CBD worked almost immediately after administration, and seizures would stop instantly in researched patients, or the number of episodes would decrease from tens to a few cases per week. Moreover, the number even dropped to zero in some cases. A significant amount of promising research results on CBD use in adults and children are currently available.
4. Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an increasingly common diagnosis in early childhood. At present, there is almost nothing that can be done to cure the condition. Some cures exist, but they are unreliable and often come with several adverse side effects. In recent years, CBD has attracted the attention of medical scientists around the world because it could become a potential treatment for autism.
There is no cure for the disorder yet. However, there is enough room to manage the symptoms, especially side effects such as anxiety, seizures, mood swings, and a higher potential for addictive behavior. The use of CBD reduces all these symptoms.
5. ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurological disorder affecting about one in fifteen children in the developed world. Current treatment options are mainly pharmaceuticals. Stimulants, including Adderall and methylphenidate, help with the symptoms, but several adverse side effects come with them. Therefore, many parents are looking for natural alternatives instead.
CBD offers a new treatment for ADHD symptoms. One of the key symptoms of ADHD is hyperactivity, something CBD is primarily used for.
The relaxing nature of CBD helps hyperactive children stay calm; it also relieves the common side effects such as anxiety and insomnia. Last but not least, CBD helps deal with headaches and autoimmune problems, which may be associated with ADHD.
6. Asthma
Asthma comes in many different forms, from mild to severe progression. It can also be very debilitating.
The underlying cause of asthma is inflammation and swelling of the airways. Medicines such as salbutamol are most commonly used to treat childhood asthma. However, these drugs can develop tolerance, which means that the more the young patient uses them, the less effective they become over time. Hence, it is necessary to increase the dose or find another drug to alleviate the symptoms.
CBD is an effective anti-inflammatory compound that acts on several inflammatory pathways involved with asthma reactions (TNF-a, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-13). It works better as prevention of asthma attacks instead of a direct treating tool. For immediate treatment, it is best to stick to the beta-adrenergic agonist medications, which are usually the content of your child's inhaler.
As a daily supplement, CBD is recommended to prevent the immune activation associated with asthma. It also relaxes the muscles of the airways and reduces stress levels – factors that contribute significantly to the asthma response.
7. Travel sickness
Children are especially prone to travel sickness. There could be many reasons, but the most common theory is that it is a direct result of the smaller size of their ear canal. This is also why children are more likely to suffer from internal or middle ear infections than adults.
A unique set of nerves inside our ears is designed to transmit messages informing the brain about our connection to the ground. This helps us distinguish the top from the bottom and maintain our balance.
If this system becomes inoperable, which can happen when you sit in a car for too long or on unstable surfaces like a boat or plane, panic develops in the brain, making us feel sick. The brain is getting deceived by the idea that we ate something poisonous, making us trying to get it out of the body by throwing up.
The area of the brain responsible for inducing these reactions is aptly called the brain's vomiting center. The endocannabinoid system strongly regulates this center. CBD works closely with the endocannabinoid system to prevent the break up of our natural endocannabinoids. This effect is considered the reason why CBD is so helpful in relieving nausea.
It has even been proven to provide relief to cancer patients who suffer extreme bouts of nausea after completing a chemotherapy session.
8. Skin problems
CBD is also helpful in helping with skin problems, being administered internally in the form of CBD oils or dietary supplements, and external use in the form of ointments or creams. Dandruff, psoriasis, eczema, and minor cuts are problems CBD can help with using its anti-inflammatory and healing (accelerating healing process) effects.
When it comes to CBD products for external use, not all are equivalent. Many poorly designed products contain irritating chemicals, are low in CBD, or lack other valuable ingredients. The best products in this category have a specific use and contain other beneficial herbs and supplements. These may vary depending on the particular skin condition you are trying to heal.
Giving CBD to children
Now that we have discussed the circumstances in which you might consider giving CBD to children, it is time to familiarize you with the details. CBD is a relatively complex compound, and there are many different products on the market – some of which are much better than others. Let us look at the different types of CBD products available nowadays and when it is appropriate to give them to children or when it is better to avoid them altogether.
What form of CBD to use?
1.Oils
Oils are the most common form of CBD. They are easy to use, and specific doses can be easily determined by counting drops or using a small measuring vessel. You can also mix CBD oil into your kid's favorite juice or cocktail to hide its taste.
2.Gummies
Gummies are a great way how to give CBD to kids. They taste just like candies and can be divided into smaller doses by simply cutting them into pieces. Such gummies must be kept in a safe place where children cannot access them.
3.Syrups
Syrups are not very common, but they work just like CBD oils. Thanks to the sweet taste, the flavor of CBD can be easily disguised by other foods (such as waffles or pancakes). The only drawback is the high sugar content.
4.Ointments and lotions
Ointments, creams, and lotions are the best choice for any skin-related condition. The used amount does not have to be measured, making them the safest way of using CBD. Still, before use on a larger area of the body, it is advisable to try out a small amount of any new product to make sure that there are no allergic reactions.
5.Suppositories
Suppositories are designed explicitly for inflammations of the digestive tract. There are several cases when suppositories are necessary, for example, after a parasitic infection (such as worms) to speed up recovery and reduce inflammation.
Which forms of CBD should be better to avoid?
Not all of them are suitable for children. Here are some examples of CBD products you should not give to children.
1. Tinctures (with alcohol solvent)
Children should not be given anything with alcohol in it! Most tinctures are alcohol-based and should not be given to children. Be aware that companies are producing CBD products that refer to their CBD oils as tinctures. So, always thoroughly check the ingredients sold as tinctures.
2. Capsules
Capsules are a great way to take CBD. However, they are generally not recommended for children, especially children under eight years of age. It is because younger kids have smaller airways compared to adults. Therefore, the capsule could get stuck in their throat, which can be a very unpleasant experience, if not dangerous.
3. Vape pens and e-liquids
There is no way kids could vape – end of the debate. Vaping is intended only for adults.
4. Concentrates
Concentrates should be avoided by all users who lack a vast amount of experience in using CBD. Thanks to the very high efficacy, it is easy to take too much. For young children who need only small doses and are more sensitive to chemical compounds (including CBD), this is a highway to big troubles.
Therefore, avoid concentrates and opt for something with lower potency.
How to determine a CBD dose intended for a child
Children are much more minor than adults and usually have significantly less body fat, which plays a vital role in the efficacy of dietary supplements and medications. In other words, children are more sensitive to dietary supplements. Thus, it is crucial to be well informed whenever you start giving them anything.
Despite you thoroughly follow the CBD product's instructions when giving it to kids, the dose still could be too high. They greatly vary in children depending on their age and body weight.
We will now show a method to determine the correct dose for a child based on the adult doses indicated on the packaging. We also provide a few simple formulas that can be used to do so.
Step 1: Determine the adult dose
Doses for children are easiest to calculate from the amounts intended for adults, so the first step is to get the basic values. The appropriate dose may vary significantly, even in adults. The most significant determining factors are the weight and the required efficacy.
Some health conditions require large doses of CBD (e.g., insomnia, severe anxiety, or epilepsy) to administrate. Other conditions require lower doses; it depends on the severity of the symptoms.
General doses based on the wanted efficacy of the effects (Caution: These values are for adults only!)
Low strength: 15 mg
Medium strength: 45 mg
Note: Much stronger effects may be necessary, especially in treating specific health conditions such as Dravet syndrome. Yet this should still be discussed with a physician, a specialist experienced in administering CBD to children, as a first thing before you do anything.
CBD is very safe as a supplement if it is used in the amounts mentioned above. However, it can cause unwanted side effects such as excessive sedation and dizziness in high doses.
Step 2: Use one of the following three formulas to calculate the corresponding dose for a child.
To calculate a dose suitable for a child, you begin with the already prepared dose for adults. There are formulas designed to calculate the dose by age or weight. Some will only work up to a certain age, while others are limited by weight.
Here are the best formulas for calculating a dose for children:
A) Augsberger's rule — from birth on
(1.5 x weight in kg) + 10 = percentage of adult dose
Example:
Let us say that the adult dose you are looking for is low - 15 mg of CBD per day. We work with a child weighing 30 kg, for example. The calculation would look like this: 1.5 x [30 kg] + 10 = 55 %
55 % of 15 mg goes to 8.25 mg of CBD per day. Therefore, a child in this example would get about 8 mg of CBD in a single dose.
B) Salisbury's Rule #1 — for children weighing less than 30 kg
(weight in kg x 2) = percentage of an adult dose
Example:
Using an adult dose of 30 mg per day as an initial value and a child weighing 20 kg, we get the following calculation: (20 kg x 2) = 40 %.
40 % of 30 mg gives us a dose of 12 mg.
C) Salisbury’s Rule #2 - For children over 30 kg
(weight in kg + 30) = percentage of adult dose
Example:
In this case, our initial values are an adult dose of 30 mg per day and a child weighing 40 kg; we get the following calculation: (40 + 30) = 70 %.
70 % of 30 mg goes to a dose of 21 mg of CBD.
Here is a simple chart showing doses suitable for children
|
Weight in kg |
Low strength |
Medium strength |
|
14 |
1.6 mg |
7.8 mg |
|
18 |
3.6 mg |
10.8 mg |
|
23 |
4.6 mg |
13.8 mg |
|
34 |
6.4 mg |
19.0 mg |
|
45 |
7.5 mg |
25.5 mg |
(calculated using Salisbury’s rule)
Step 3: Determine the appropriate dose of a product you use.
So far, we have made it clear how much CBD to use. Now, all that remains being done is comparing these findings with the product you have purchased.
If you use gummies, that is very easy. All you have to do is look at the amount of CBD listed for each gummy. The value can range from 5 mg to 50 mg. If your goal is to provide an 8 mg dose, you can either buy gummies containing 10 mg of CBD and remove about 20 % of each gummy, or buy gummies with 5 mg of CBD and serve a gummy and a half in each dose.
As for CBD oils and syrups, this step can be more complicated since they come in different potencies. But once you get used to it and understand it, it is easy. Let us take a look at this.
For the correct dosage of CBD oils, you need to know how much CBD is in each oil. A 300 mg vial of CBD oil will contain significantly less CBD per one ml than a vial of the same size containing 1000 mg.
Here is a simple chart that shows how these potencies can change:
|
Total CBD content |
30 ml vial |
60 ml vial |
|
100 mg |
3.33 mg/ml |
1.6 mg/ml |
|
300 mg |
10 mg/ml |
5 mg/ml |
|
600 mg |
20 mg/ml |
10 mg/ml |
|
1,000 mg |
33.3 mg/ml |
16.6 mg/ml |
|
2,000 mg |
66.6 mg/ml |
33.3 mg/ml |
|
4,000 mg |
N/A |
66.6 mg/ml |
Once you know the strength of the oil you use, you can calculate the volume in milliliters and determine the exact dose. One ml is about 20 drops. You can also use a small, usually in the package enclosed measuring vessel for greater accuracy.
As for suppositories, this is different. Always choose an option with lower potency (30 mg or less per suppository) for children.
Summary
When choosing CBD oil for children, focus on low strength (300 mg or 600 mg per vial). This allows you to measure low doses more easily. If you use gummies, choose those that have low efficacy. They can be customized to achieve the most accurate dose – for example, cutting gummies in half.
Tips for giving CBD to children
1.Use gummies
Gummies are one of the easiest ways to give CBD to small children. They taste great and make it easy to provide accurate dosing by cutting them into pieces.
2.Start with a low dose, increase it slowly
Always start with a low dose to see how the child reacts. Once you know that the reaction to CBD is still acceptable, you can gradually and slowly increase the amount of administered CBD.
3.Use altered doses suitable for children
Be sure to calculate the dose using one of the formulas above instead of using the amount intended for adults.
4.Use strong ointments
If you use ointments, make sure to purchase a product with at least 10 mg of CBD per ml - anything weaker will not be good enough.
5.Record all changes
Make a few notes before giving CBD to your child. Answer the following questions:
What are the symptoms?
How severe are the symptoms?
When are the symptoms the worst?
When are they at their best?
After about a week of using CBD, take these answers and compare them to your new findings. If there are no noticeable changes, continue the same way for at least another week. If nothing changes after a month, CBD may not be the best supplement for the child's needs.
6. Always check THC content
Every time you get a new product, always check whether THC content is less than 0.3 %. Most products currently available on the market do not contain THC. However, this could change as the law regarding cannabis extracts continue to evolve.
Key information: CBD supplements for children
CBD supplements can be beneficial for children, as well as for adults. However, a much lower dose is needed, and it has to be measured accurately – but the effects are the same. Conditions such as ADHD, asthma, autism, travel sickness, insomnia, and anxiety are particularly problematic in small children.
CBD administration can help with all these problems. Whenever CBD is given to children, it is essential to provide them with a small dose. Use the formulas above to calculate the right amount. However, do not forget that children grow up fast, so it is necessary to recalculate the doses every few months.
It is recommended to choose CBD oil with low efficacy or use gummies.
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