Finding the Right CBD Solution for Your Children

Cannabidiol is gaining popularity among wellness communities for good reason! In this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at how parents can share CBD products with their children, under the supervision of a pediatrician.

First Things First

It’s important to note right away that, although CBD is derived from hemp, CBD products are not the same as recreational or medicinal marijuana. Broad spectrum CBD products do not contain THC, the compound that produces that legendary high, and taking CBD oil will not result in any kind of intoxication for you or your kids. In fact, CBD is classified as a dietary supplement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is not physically addictive.

CBD works with your natural endocannabinoid system, which has receptors throughout the body, including the brain, immune system and digestive tract. It’s completely safe to expose your kids to endocannabinoids – in fact, human breast milk is an abundant source of endocannabinoids – and they are a necessary part of human development.

We recommend consulting your child’s pediatrician before adding CBD to their daily diet, particularly if your child is on medication for seizure disorders, autism, cancer, etc. While many physicians are not well-versed in CBD, pediatric neurologists and cannabis consultants will be more highly educated in CBD use.

Not all CBD is Created Equal

While THC-free CBD products are completely safe for your child to use, not all CBD products are of the same quality. Some over-the-counter CBD options may contain THC, which will have mind-altering effects and, therefore, are inappropriate for children. Other products may contain artificial flavors, additives, or ingredients that are even less desirable such as synthetic cannabinoids, heavy metals, pesticides and residual solvents.

The best course of action is to research the company producing your CBD products. Read their labels, ask them questions, and read their lab reports. It’s important to note that Onyx & Rose – like all reputable CBD producers – has made all of our lab certificates available to the general public, and we welcome your questions, comments and input. Total transparency is our goal, and we want you to feel confident that when you invest in an Onyx & Rose product, you’re investing in the highest quality CBD available.

Why Parents are Choosing CBD

CBD products interact with your body’s natural endocannabinoid system to alleviate the symptoms of a variety of ailments and illnesses. From anxiety and insomnia to attention disorders and autism, many parents are using CBD to help improve quality of life and reduce dependency on pharmaceutical treatments.

However, most research on CBD is for its use with seizure disorders like epilepsy. Clinical trials and anecdotal evidence all suggest that CBD can drastically relieve the symptoms of seizure disorders, and in many cases can even help reduce your child’s use of chemical medications. In fact, in the spring of 2018, the FDA unanimously found that cannabidiol is favorable for the treatment of seizures in patients 2 years of age and older. Clinical trials are ongoing to determine the long-term efficacy of CBD products for the treatment of seizures, and it has been largely concluded that the potential for abuse in cannabidiol is very low.

“We see little evidence that cannabidiol has meaningful abuse potential, even at supratherapeutic doses in adults,” said Katherine Bonson, PhD, a pharmacologist with the FDA’s Controlled Substance Staff, in the Office of the Center Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).

A recent study conducted by the University of Colorado School of Medicine also indicates that CBD might be an effective treatment for pediatric anxiety. This medical study suggests that the use of CBD oil is a safe alternative to pharmaceutical medications for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia in young patients. The patient studied demonstrated improved behavior at home and in school, slept through the night in her own room and expressed decreased feelings of anxiety overall.

Getting Started with CBD

Before introducing CBD products into your child’s daily routine, we recommend consulting with medical professionals who are well-educated in cannabinoids. Remember that CBD can interact with some medications, and should be introduced slowly to avoid side effects such as drowsiness.

CBD tinctures are consumed sublingually and have a naturally nutty or bitter flavor that kids may not like. To mask the flavor, we recommend serving CBD in food like yogurt or ice cream, or in juice. We’re also proud to offer our high-quality CBD oil in capsule form for the most precise servings, and as a balm to administer topically. Regardless of how your child consumes his or her CBD oil, it’s important to remember that for maximum efficacy, CBD should be taken daily, preferably at the same time of day.