While cannabis is good for people of different genders and ages, most people are still skeptical about using cannabis for their kids. However, research shows that cannabis works in kids similarly to the way it works for adults. When cannabis is ingested, it binds with specific receptors in the brain called endocannabinoid receptors to produce different effects. But is cannabis completely safe for kids? Different studies show that cannabis may damage the developing brain of children. However, what about kids who use it for a specific condition will cannabis be helpful? In this article, we will look more into how cannabis affects kids.
Is cannabis useful for kids?
The cannabis plant contains more than one hundred compounds called cannabinoids. Each cannabinoid has its properties and effects, but the most essential ones include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinoid (CBD). Cannabis compounds can be extracted from the plant and administered to kids sublingually. But while it’s unsafe to give your kid THC, CBD may work well with kids.
Here are some conditions in which cannabis may be helpful for kids.
Epilepsy
The story of Billy Caldwell, an Irish boy suffering from epilepsy made a lot of headlines. He became the face of CBD oil in the UK after he was prescribed CBD oil to help with life-threatening epilepsy that made him suffer 100 seizures a day. This is clear proof of the medicinal ability of CBD to treat seizures
CBD, the primary cannabinoid in cannabis helps kids with refractory epilepsy. Kids with severe and chronic epileptic seizures can gain relief from a controlled dosage of CBD. CBD can also bring a 50% reduction in seizure rate among kids.
Autism
CBD may be a well-tolerated, safe, and effective treatment for symptoms associated with ASD. CBD can also reduce irritability and anxiety that comes from ASD. A study on patients administered with CBD showed that 30% of them significantly improved, 50% showed moderate improvement after six months of treatment, while 25% of them experienced negative side effects like restlessness.
CBD can improve symptoms like spasticity, dystonia, insomnia, and symptoms linked with Tourette syndrome.
Although we need more studies on cannabis for kids, current studies already show the benefits of cannabis for kids with epilepsy and autism.
Multiple sclerosis
This is a condition where the immune system turns against its nerve cells. Administering a controlled dosage of CBD to your kid may help with muscle stiffness. However, be aware of some side effects like psychosis, cardiovascular diseases, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.
Cancer
Cannabis may act as an appetite enhancer for kids with cancer. Cannabis works to increase appetite by decreasing the anxiety that comes with the disease. CBD has also been studied to shrink cancer cells.
Bottom line- Should you give cannabis to your kids?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is against administering cannabis to kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend it either. Before administering cannabis to your kids ensure to talk to your local physician about the risks and possible safer alternatives.
