As a parent , you always try to give your child the best. So, if your child has ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, you're probably looking everywhere for the best solution. In the meantime, you've probably heard about CBD online and from friends. Some people say it's good because it's "natural" and has fewer side effects. But what's the truth behind this story? Let's talk about it clearly today.
Let's first see, what is CBD?
Simply put, CBD is the short name for the chemical compound Cannabidiol . These are obtained from the Hemp plant, which belongs to the same family as the Cannabis plant, but is a different plant.
Many people are afraid of CBD because they think it is related to marijuana. True, although they both belong to the same plant family, there is a big difference between the two. The chemical in marijuana called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is what makes a person "intoxicated", that is, "high". However, properly manufactured CBD products do not contain this THC, or they contain very small amounts. Therefore, CBD does not cause intoxication.
These CBD products are available in the market today in the form of oils, gummies, lotions , and vaping methods.
Can CBD really treat ADHD?
Here's the most important question. The straight answer is that there is no strong medical evidence yet to prove that giving CBD as a treatment for children with ADHD reduces symptoms.
There is very limited research on this topic, and most of the research that has been done has been done on adults.
- A small study in 2017 found that adults who were given a drug called Sativex, which contains both CBD and THC, showed a small reduction in ADHD symptoms. However, the reduction was not significantly different from the results seen in people who were given a placebo, which contained no active medication.
- Another study in 2020 showed that adults who took high doses of medical cannabis reduced their use of ADHD medication, but this one also contained the drug THC.
Most importantly, there is no scientific evidence yet about the efficacy or safety of CBD for children . Therefore, giving your child medications that have been used for years, researched, and proven (for example, stimulant medicines) as recommended by a doctor is the best and safest option.
Some children with ADHD may also have a condition called anxiety . Although there is some evidence that CBD has some effect on anxiety, there is not enough evidence to recommend it as a treatment for ADHD.
What are the risks of giving CBD to a child?
This is where you as a parent need to think carefully. No CBD product (oil, jelly, etc.) on the market has been approved by any reputable medical organization as safe for children or effective for ADHD.
There is only one CBD product approved in the world. It is a drug called Epidiolex . But it is only given to children with two very rare forms of epilepsy, and only on the recommendation of a doctor. Even that approved drug has significant side effects and risks.
| Possible side effects of even Epidiolex (an approved CBD drug) | |
|---|---|
| Increased liver enzymes. | Loss of appetite. |
| Extreme fatigue and drowsiness. | Sleep problems. |
| Feeling of malaise in the body. | Increased risk of suicidal thoughts. |
| Interacting with other medications (e.g. clobazam, lorazepam) and altering their effects. | |
Just think, if this single drug that has been formally researched and approved has so many risks, how can we trust anything sold in the market without any control or regulation?
Most importantly, no one knows how CBD products will affect a child's brain development and body in the long term.
More risks about CBD products on the market
There are several other serious problems with CBD products purchased online or in stores without a medical prescription.
- The dosage is uncertain: There is no way to know if the amount of CBD in the bottle is actually the same as what is stated on the bottle. It could be less, or it could be more.
- The amount absorbed into the body is uncertain: The amount absorbed into the body varies depending on whether it is drunk as an oil, eaten with food, or inhaled. Therefore, it is not possible to control how much the child gets into the body.
- May contain other harmful substances: We don't know how these are produced or in what kind of environment. In addition to CBD, they may contain other chemicals and heavy metals that are harmful to the baby.
- There is no set dosage for a child: The most important thing is that no one knows what the safe dosage is for a child's weight, age, and condition. This becomes a matter of guesswork, which is very dangerous for a child.
I understand the pressure and helplessness you feel when your child has ADHD. But at a time like this, rushing into things without proper research and relying on unscientific advice only puts your child at greater risk.
Take-Home Message
- ADHD is a real medical condition that requires proper treatment under the supervision of a doctor. It is not just a mischievous or temperamental issue.
- There is no strong scientific evidence to prove that CBD is a safe or effective treatment for ADHD in children.
- Many CBD products on the market are unregulated, their ingredients and dosages are uncertain, and there is a risk that they may contain other substances that are harmful to the baby.
- Always talk to your child's doctor before giving your child any supplement, vitamin, or so-called "natural" product. Avoid making decisions based solely on what you read online or what your friends say.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න