Can You Give CBD to a Child in the UK? (Laws, Studies & Tips)

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#DailyCBDNewz

Many adults use CBD (cannabidiol) for its potential therapeutic and health benefits. 

But can you give CBD to a child?

Short answer: Yes.

While CBD products (like CBD oil, topicals, and edibles) are generally safe, there’s much to consider before giving them to a young person.

Keep reading as we explore how safe CBD is for children and tips to ensure a safe CBD experience for your little one.

 

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Can You Give CBD Oil to a Child in the UK?

Here’s what the UK laws say about giving CBD to a child:

A. Age Limit for CBD 

In the UK, CBD governing bodies (such as the Cannabis Trades Association and the Cannabinoid Industry Association) strongly discourage CBD companies from selling CBD to minors. 

That’s why children under 18 are not permitted to buy CBD. 

Now: 

This doesn’t make CBD consumption illegal.

There are no legal restrictions prohibiting caregivers from purchasing and giving CBD products to children. 

But look:

Parents who wish to give their children CBD must consult a healthcare professional before making this critical decision.

B. UK Law Around CBD Use

CBD edibles, creams, sprays, CBD vape oils, and other CBD products are legal in the UK as long as they are THC-free.

Why must they be THC-free?

CBD and THC are the two main cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant (hemp plant).

But THC is the chemical compound that gives you a “high” feeling, impairs cognitive functions, and causes unwanted side effects.

As a result, THC is a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971 in the UK, and CBD companies are prohibited from including THC in their products.

The bad news?

Some low-quality CBD products may have an undeclared amount of THC, which can harm your child’s health. 

Bottom line:

  • You can give THC-free CBD to a child, but consult a health professional beforehand.
  • Shop only from trustworthy CBD companies that provide third-party lab reports and certificates of analysis. These documents guarantee the product’s purity and give a transparent overview of its contents. 

But you may be wondering… 

Is CBD Safe for Children?

According to a study by the World Health Organisation, CBD is generally safe and well-tolerated by most people. 

Children may take a CBD food supplement safely with careful consideration and medical advice.

But if your child is already on other prescription medicines, we suggest you proceed cautiously and consult a healthcare professional.

Can CBD Cause Any Side Effects? 

Taking very high doses of CBD (more than 100mg daily) may produce some unwanted side effects, such as:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Drowsiness
  • Changes in appetite 
Read More:Are hemp products (like hemp seed oil) and CBD products different? Read this breakdown of Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil.

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Potential Benefits of CBD For Children

While the research is sparse, a handful of studies involving children demonstrate minor success. 

These studies focus on how CBD may ease the symptoms of various mental health issues and seizure disorders (such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox Gastaut syndrome) in adolescents. 

1. Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy 

Different forms of epilepsy and seizure disorders, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox Gastaut syndrome, significantly affect children’s development.

A US study showed that Epidiolex (a CBD oil product) might reduce seizure frequency in pediatric patients.

The study found

Of the 120 patients in the clinical trial, 43% reported a significant reduction in seizure frequency, while 5% became seizure-free.

2. Anxiety

Anxiety disorders can affect a child’s behaviour, eating habits, and sleep patterns. 

One notable clinical trial examined CBD’s effectiveness in easing anxiety and PTSD symptoms in children. The patient, a 10-year-old who suffered multiple traumas, was given CBD hemp plant extract to ease their anxiety and insomnia.

The study found

The treatment improved the child’s sleeping patterns, eased their anxiety, and helped regulate their mood and behaviour.

3. Autism

Autistic spectrum disorders continue to affect the lives of many children worldwide.

One significant study explored CBD’s impact on helping children with autism. The study involved 60 children treated with medical cannabis (with a CBD & THC ratio of 20:1). 

The study found

There were behaviour improvements in 61% of the patients. The treatment also saw a 39% and 47% improvement, respectively, in anxiety and communication issues.

Did you know: 

Medicinal cannabis became legal in the UK in 2018. Cannabis based medicine may help alleviate chronic pain and symptoms of mental health issues.

You can purchase medical cannabis, cannabis oil, or any other cannabis based product made for medicinal use if you have a prescription for cannabis use from a doctor.

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4 Tips to Ensure a Safe CBD Experience For Your Child

Here are a few tips you can follow that can help your child enjoy a safer CBD experience. 

1. Consult A Healthcare Professional

While CBD may be generally safe to use, there are several potential risks to consider before adding this food supplement to your child’s daily routine. 

Speak to a doctor first before making a decision. 

This way, a knowledgeable professional can help your child avoid CBD-drug interactions and unwanted side effects. 

2. Find the Correct Dosage

Finding the correct CBD dosage is tricky for both adults and children.

The amount of CBD one should take depends mainly on body weight. As such, the CBD dosage should be significantly smaller for a young person.

What’s a good starting point? 

Some sources suggest just over 1mg of CBD per kg of body weight spread between three servings daily.

For example, a child weighing 13kg may take 15mg of a CBD oil product divided into three servings of 5mg, consumed at different intervals of the day. 

You may adjust the amount of CBD depending on how your child reacts to it.

If in doubt, consult a doctor. A medical professional can assist you in finding the correct dosage for a young person per the clinical guidelines of the General Medical Council in the UK.

3. Check The Quality Of The CBD Product

You must check the quality of the CBD product you purchase. 

Always pick high quality CBD products from a reputable CBD brand like Love Hemp.

Why?

Low-quality CBD products may contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and contaminants, which may cause serious harm to your child. 

When purchasing a CBD product (whether CBD cream, a CBD gummy or any other product), remember to:

  • Check the amount of CBD in a single serving of the CBD product.
  • Purchase from a reputable CBD brand such as Love Hemp, Provacan, and Vitality CBD. These brands provide complete third-party lab test reports on their products to verify their safety and purity.
  • Ensure that the CBD product has a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). The certificate helps verify the product’s potency and ensures it is free of THC and harmful contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals.

4. Choose The Right CBD Type

Whether you’re purchasing CBD oil, tinctures, or gummies, you should always check the type of CBD they contain. 

The three main types of CBD are full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate.

What’s the difference?

  • Full spectrum CBD contains all the cannabinoids of the cannabis plant, including varying amounts of THC.
  • Broad spectrum CBD contains some cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, except THC.
  • CBD isolate is a pure CBD extract from the cannabis plant and does not have other cannabinoid, terpene, or flavonoid compounds.

As full spectrum CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, they are illegal in the UK. 

Read More: Want to know the effects of CBD on the cannabinoid receptors? Discover how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system.

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Find High Quality CBD Products At GreenBox

CBD may be legal and generally safe for children.

But before giving CBD to your child, consult a doctor to assess the potential risks and determine the proper dosage. Also, ensure you purchase a high-quality CBD product to avoid complications.

Looking for high quality CBD products? 

Visit GreenBox

Explore our wide range of the best CBD supplements — from CBD edibles like CBD gummy supplements to CBD capsules and topical CBD (CBD creams, CBD balms) products.

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