We live in a world full of anxiety and it is affecting our children. Last year, a survey found that nearly half (48%) of American teens are concerned about experiencing social anxiety in the transition to a post-pandemic world, while 43% said they were concerned about the challenges. mental health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because CBD is a big deal to deal with stress, a survey found that more than 60 percent of CBD users took it for anxiety, so is it safe for teens?
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“The most common reasons American adults report testing for CBD are to potentially benefit from pain, sleep, stress, or mood problems,” said Dr. Jeff Chen, MD, CEO and co-founder of Radicle. Science, which recently completed the largest longitudinal study in history on CBD, says SheKnows. “There have been far fewer studies on why teens use CBD, but preliminary results from a study (yet to be published) presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2020 showed that 40 percent of teens had tried to use CBD oil “.
While Dr. Chen says some of the teens reported trying it “just for fun,” others said their reason for trying it was the hope that CBD “could help treat my medical condition.” “.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid in the cannabinoid family that can be found in marijuana. Unlike THC, which is the most active ingredient in marijuana that makes you feel high, CBD is promoted for its medicinal use without letting you feel excited or addicted.
“CBD is classified as non-psychoactive, meaning there is no high involvement and it is not physiologically addictive. Rather, people get used to it and depend on its action,” says Dr. Lynn Parodneck, an expert. in medical marijuana and TribeTokes medical advisor.
Why not ask your teen to try it out
“Research has shown that CBD can help with anxiety, inflammation and many other illnesses without the potential for abuse,” Laurel (Lo) Friesen, founder, CEO and chief extractor of Heylo, told SheKnows.
While there is not enough evidence among the scientific community to fully demonstrate that CBD is risk-free, according to Frisen, current research shows that side effects are minimal and the benefits far outweigh the risks.
“Therefore, CBD is a great option for teens to address anxiety, seasonal affective disorder (ASD) and other medical needs. Anxiety is on the rise in the teen population and CBD could dramatically improve outcomes without the risks of pharmaceuticals “.
What parents need to know before giving their approval
“Parents who are considering providing CBD to their children should consult with their primary care physician to determine if it is appropriate to take CBD along with other medications if they are currently prescribed any to their child,” says Friesen.
In addition, Friesen recommends making sure that you are purchasing a high quality CBD product by reviewing the manufacturer’s test results, as product quality can drastically affect the effectiveness and safety of the product. “High-quality, verified sources are the best. Initially, follow the dosing instructions, but continue to monitor your teen to make decisions about dose changes.”
Friesen also believes that parents should be aware of the possible side effects of higher doses of CBD “so that they can understand how to set the dosage for their child, the best method of administration and the best time of day to administer it. CBD product. ”
If all this seems a little too much, Dr. Parodneck recommends working with a trusted doctor. “A doctor needs to know how to dose properly. In addition, medical marijuana professionals are trained to dose and understand how it works. They are also aware of all the drugs that compete for the cytochrome p450 system in the liver. That said, CBD it can be used by almost anyone, but it helps with newspaper effects. “
As for what types of CBD teens should use, Dr. Parodneck says tinctures are recommended “because they can be dosed up close and jelly beans are a popular choice.”
As for side effects, Dr. Parodneck says that because CBD is not regulated by the FDA, “it is important to use reliable markings. Side effects can occur if the dose is too high. Common side effects include diarrhea and drowsiness “.
But is it safe?
According to Dr. Chen, there is a lack of research on CBD and adolescents. “Regardless of what adults or teens report using CBD, the reality is that there are few rigorous clinical trials of CBD outside of pediatric epilepsy (a disease for which CBD is FDA-approved to treat). Preliminary areas where oral CBD ingestion has been shown to be beneficial in at least one placebo-controlled blinded clinical trial include: treatment of social anxiety disorder, opioid addiction, schizophrenia, and sleep disorders. “
Although Heather Hanks, MS CAM, says CBD is “generally very safe”, it should be noted on a case-by-case basis “as endocannabinoid activation affects everyone differently,” citing a study that found that CBD was significantly reduced. social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescents, “but researchers did not analyze the side effects of CBD.”
Ultimately, says Dr. Chen, “We need many more and much more studies on these areas before we can draw definitive conclusions. Finally, there are preclinical studies that show the potential benefits of topical CBD for acne, but human studies are still lacking.”
What can teens take?
Hanks suggests turmeric for those who want an alternative to CBD but with similar benefits. “I like turmeric because it has been studied for many years and is safe to use as recommended by a healthcare professional. Interestingly, some species, including turmeric, can stimulate the endocannabinoid system, similar to CBD. This anti-inflammatory response seems to be the one that helps cure people’s anxiety. “
It is also recommended that you adopt other healthy habits in your teen’s life.
“Many teens don’t eat a balanced diet or get the right amount of exercise. These items are key to helping your child feel better. Taking a CBD supplement alone can help, but consider that it will help more when combined with other healthy habits “.
Before you go, take a look at our favorite mental health apps to give your brain a little more TLC:
