Q & A: Is CBD Safe for Children?
Written by Dr. Pia Boben Fenimore
Q: My 12-year-old daughter struggles with anxiety sometimes. She has a hard time going to social situations, and she often can’t sleep due to her worries. I do not want to medicate her, but I was thinking about trying some CBD gummies to help her relax and conquer her fears. Is this a good idea?
A: No, it is not a good idea, and there are two reasons for my answer.
CBD or cannabidiol is the non-psychoactive component of the hemp plant. This means that it does not cause a “high” and cannot lead to dependence. Because of these properties, there is the assumption that CBD is safe, but in reality, it has not been adequately researched or tested, especially in pediatric populations. Initial research studies are small and have provided more questions than answers. According to Eric Marsh (MD, PhD, a leading researcher of cannabis and its medical uses at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), evidence of CBD benefits for conditions such as anxiety or ADD is mostly anecdotal and needs to be studied more before we can feel safe offering it as a solution. Further, because CBD products are not FDA regulated there is no guarantee that what you purchase is pure. Some CBD supplements may even be tainted with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) the active component in marijuana. Side effects to CBD can include sleepiness, diarrhea, and irritability. There is no research available on appropriate dosage for children.
The lack of information on safety is the first reason for my answer but I feel even more strongly about the second reason. Responding to symptoms of stress and anxiety with a medication, regardless of how “natural” it might be, sends the wrong message. Anxiety is something that develops over weeks, months, and years, or can even be a physiological and emotional response that a person is born with. Expecting to address this in a short period of time with a medication is unrealistic and unlikely to be effective. To make a lasting difference in your daughter’s struggle requires time and commitment. Tools such as improved sleep hygiene, therapy, mindfulness, and thought reframing can be used to make her feel better and move forward more effectively. There may be a role for prescription anti-anxiety medication, but it should be prescribed using recommendations for her age, and as part of a comprehensive approach to this problem. You and your daughter need to strategize about the best way to address this problem and that needs to start with defining the problem. You may find that her feelings about her anxiety are very different from your own. Make goals together, and then make some changes that allow you to attain them. A lot of the stress that kids feel today can be lessened with some lifestyle changes, and simple things like better sleep, and more exercise. It is not easy, but it’s safe, sustainable, and research suggests that it will produce permanent effects.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the potential of things like CBD for the future of medicine. Thanks to previous misconceptions about marijuana and controlled substance laws limiting research, we are only just now beginning to understand the complex chemistry of the hemp plant. In 2018, Epidolex became the first CBD derived medication approved by the FDA for use in seizures present due to Lennox -Gastuat and Dravet Syndromes. Pediatric studies are in progress using CBD for conditions such as Tuberous Sclerosis, and Autism. These drugs show promise for treating these problems and perhaps others, however, more research is needed, as well as strict FDA regulation of purity, before we will see them safely used in larger populations.
CBD products are everywhere right now, and like most drugs, we should be wary especially when it comes to use in children. If you are considering using one of these products, I encourage you to speak to your health care provider before you do. There may be safer, more efficacious, options to the problem at hand. Anxiety for anyone can be crippling and watching your child struggle is not easy. Remember that there are things you can do to help and empowering your child to take steps towards feeling better is a priceless life lesson. There are people who care that can help. Please reach out to your pediatrician, school counselor, or a mental health professional, they can help you get started.
