CBD for kids - should children be given cannabidiol?
CBD is gaining more and more fans due to its therapeutic properties. So,
the natural question for curious parents is, what about children? Is CBD safe
for them to use?
CBD is a cannabinoid extracted from cannabis. It does not affect
consciousness, has no narcotic properties, so it is suitable for children. It
helps with various neurological disorders. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs used for pain
relief, spasm relief, inflammation, sleep improvement, etc., it has no side
effects and has virtually no contraindications.
What the research says
Recent research suggests that CBD can
significantly improve behavior and emotional regulation in children and
adolescents with autism spectrum disorder without side effects [1].
A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials found that CBD
improves social responsiveness and reduces anxiety.
CBD shows promise for treating autism symptoms
A new study [1] presented at the 2025 European
Congress of Psychiatry shows that using a cannabis extract containing
cannabidiol (CBD) can lead to significant benefits and improve behavior in
children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) [2]. ASD affects
approximately 1 in 100 children worldwide and symptoms can include difficulty
interpreting language, difficulty expressing emotions, and repetitive behaviors.
Study Overview and Methodology
The meta-analysis included randomized
placebo-controlled trials of the efficacy and safety of CBD cannabis extracts
in children and adolescents with ASD. A total of three studies were conducted
with 276 participants with a mean age of 10.5 years, ranging in age from 5 to
21. Dosage of CBD cannabis extract started at 1 mg/kg per day and titrated up
to 10 mg/kg [1].
Key findings of the study include:
1. Use of CBD cannabis extract shows modest improvements in social
sensitivity and small but significant reductions in disruptive behavior and
anxiety.
2. CBD сannabis extract significantly improved social responsiveness,
reduced destructive behavior and reduced anxiety, and improved sleep quality.
3. The use of CBD cannabis extract has a favorable safety profile as
it does not increase side effects compared to placebo.
In conclusion,
CBD provides significant benefits to children and adolescents with ASD,
demonstrating modest improvements in social sensitivity and small but
significant reductions in disruptive behavior and anxiety. It does not appear
to significantly increase side effects compared to placebo, suggesting a
favorable safety profile. These findings support the potential consideration of
CBD cannabis extracts in ASD treatment plans.
CBD for Anxiety in Children
Studies show that CBD may help reduce
anxiety by affecting how the brain processes serotonin, a chemical involved in
mood regulation [5]. Children with anxiety disorders, such as generalized
anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder, may benefit from CBD. Parents have
shared positive experiences using CBD to treat anxiety in children, reporting
improvements in emotional stability and behavior [3].
CBD for Epilepsy in Children
One of the most well-studied uses of CBD in
children is in the treatment of epilepsy. Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug, has been
approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) for the treatment of
severe forms of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome. This approval highlights the
effectiveness of CBD for this condition [4].
Benefits of Using Cannabis for Epilepsy
1. One of the main benefits of cannabis, specifically cannabidiol
(CBD), is its ability to reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures.
2. Cannabis is an important alternative if traditional epilepsy
treatments have not yielded the desired results.
3. Unlike some traditional anticonvulsants, CBD has fewer side
effects.
4. Significantly reduced seizure frequency and reduced side effects
improve patients’ quality of life.
Different forms of CBD for children
CBD for children is available in different
forms: sprays, jellies, capsules. The company 100 CBD has also developed and
started producing chocolate dragees. They
are easy to use and contain Belgian milk chocolate with CBD in a colored glaze.
Thanks to its natural composition and moderate concentration of cannabidiol —
each dragee contains 5 mg of CBD — the product is suitable for children
weighing more than 15 kg.
References:
2. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders
4. https://www.entirelykidspediatrics.com/is-cbd-safe-for-kids/
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cbd-for-kids#is-it-safe