What Parents Need to Know About CBD
Recently, my teenage daughter and I ate brunch at a famous restaurant in Soho. While we were waiting for breakfast to arrive, I noticed a sign on the table. “Add CBD to Your Coffee!” was in bold red. As I sipped my coffee, I realized that while CBD oils and products seem to be all over the place now, I knew very little about them.
Most people are familiar with the better-known compound tetrahydrocannabidol , or THC, which is part of the cannabis plant that produces a psychotropic high when smoked or swallowed. CBD is different in that it doesn’t affect consciousness, but advocates say it provides the same relaxation and benefits without the psychotropic effects of THC.
Read this article to dive deeper into what CBD is, what it is for, and its disadvantages and legal aspects.
As CBD products become more common on the open market, parents of teens, myself included, need to arm themselves with the knowledge.
What are the long-term effects of CBD on children?
Since cannabis legislation changes almost daily, long-term research has not become a reality as quickly. And while there is promising research on cannabis and CBD in reputable journals for treating conditions like anxiety and Alzheimer’s , much more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of CBD on certain disorders.
Laura K., a family doctor in western Colorado, says that when talking to her teen patients about CBD, she tends to focus more on the effects of THC and the fact that teenagers are not allowed to use cannabis if they are minors. “I’m worried that kids don’t understand that cannabis is still a drug, even though it’s legal for those over 21,” she tells Lifehacker.
When it comes to CBD, Laura reminds parents that it is too early to know about the long-term effects of CBD on a teen’s developing brain.
“CBD is not well understood and there are too many variables,” says Laura, who asked us not to use her last name so that she can be frank about CBD. “At this point, it would be impossible for me to recommend CBD to children of all ages without more purity research. Until we learn more about how CBD affects young growing brains, I cannot endorse CBD and children. “
How is CBD ingested?
CBD comes in many forms. You can find cannabidiol in everything from cakes to dog treats, and it looks like the market is growing with products aimed at consumers looking to incorporate CBD into their daily lives.
CBD pairs well with ice cream, snacks, and cocktails. Vape shops sell CBD oil for inhalation, and you can even buy cannabidiol ointments and creams for your skin.
How do you know if your child is using CBD?
Since drinking CBD has no psychoactive effect, it can be difficult to tell your child is using it. But if you find that your child is using CBD without your permission or doctor’s prescription, the Partnership for Drug-Free Children advises you to discuss the potential health consequences with both your child and your doctor.
If you are a concerned parent, it is best to talk to your child about CBD as you would any other substance. Start a conversation about why they care, how they feel, and why they feel the need to use it. Come with understanding and patience and work to help your son or daughter make the right decisions.
Bottom line …
No one really knows how safe or effective CBD products are, and parents should regularly discuss with their teens the cannabidiol products they buy and use. Sometimes asking your kids directly if they know about a new product that you are not familiar with will lead to eye-opening conversations.
When I was researching CBD oil and its uses, I used it as a springboard to start a dialogue with my teenage children about what they know about CBD and if they have ever seen their friends use it. Both of my children, ages 13 and 16, shrugged their shoulders and said, “Yes, Mom, a lot of kids use marijuana.”
But both of them also admitted that they know little about CBD itself. So now we study together.