How to Choose the Best CBD Gummies for Your Child
Every day, the number of parents looking into CBD for improving their children’s wellness needs is increasing. To capture this trend, many brands have launched Kids CBD gummies with unique mouthwatering flavors, cartoonish shapes, and colorful packaging.
However, it’s a highly unregulated industry where 80% of products in the market fail purity and quality tests. Hence, it becomes imperative to buy CBD for kids only from well-known and well-tested brands.
This article will cover everything you need to know about picking the right CBD gummies for your children. Do note that it’s important to talk with a children’s specialist doctor first before making any decision, as the research on its safety and effectiveness in kids is still limited. So with all that cleared, let’s dive in!
What is CBD? What are its benefits for children?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural compound mainly found in cannabis plants. It’s clinically proven for its strong healing and therapeutic effects. Studies show that CBD usage can help humans and animals with pain, anxiety, stress, focus, mobility, and plenty of other common everyday wellness issues.
However, its effectiveness and safety in kids are somewhat doubted due to a lack of long-term studies. Many parents now believe that CBD can help their children with sleep problems, school anxiety, restlessness, and nightmares.
As of today, there’s only one FDA-approved CBD medicine for kids, known as Epidiolex, which is usually given to treat severe cases of epilepsy. The FDA does not regulate over-the-counter CBD products for kids, so parents must be careful about them.
Research and Possible Use Cases
There are plenty of ongoing studies about CBD usage in children. A recent meta-analysis showed that the European Congress of Psychiatry noted that, in moderate amounts, CBD may improve social responsiveness in kids.
There was also a slight reduction in disruptive behaviors and a decline in anxiety. Around 276 kids were involved in this trial, and it was concluded that the CBD safety profile is quite good. Another study done last year in Brazil involving children with autism yielded quite positive results.
Around 60 children between the ages of 5 and 11 were subjected to CBD extracts in controlled dosages. Experts noted that it slightly improved social interaction and produced only a few severe side effects.
Similarly, a study conducted at the University of California indicated that CBD improved behavior issues in autistic kids. But once again, the scale of all these studies is quite small, which is why there is slow adoption of CBD for kids.
Other than these neurological conditions, many parents testify that CBD helped their child with sleep, anxiety, and pain management.
Factors to Consider When Choosing CBD Gummies for Children
Before you buy the very first flashy gummy packet, please consider the following parameters:
CBD source & type
CBD gummies in three main types: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate. Full-spectrum CBD gummies contain up to 0.3% THC, which is a highly intoxicating cannabinoid known for causing cognitive issues, imbalance, and negative impact on brain development in growing years.
So you should avoid that completely. Broad spectrum can be a good option, but it may also contain certain psychoactive compounds like CBN, which may not sit well with your kid’s body.
So the best option is perhaps isolate gummies, as it’s just plain CBD, nothing else. Both isolate and broad-spectrum are completely free of THC. Also, check the hemp source and make sure to buy only if it’s USDA certified.
Dosage & Potency
When it comes to children, the amount of CBD per gummy matters a lot. Unlike adults, kids have very low tolerance, and in most cases, around 0.5 to 1 mg of CBD per pound of body weight is more than enough.
That’s why it’s better to opt for low-potency gummies, for example, 10 mg gummies, which you can then further break down to divide the dosage across the day. If more is required, ask the doctor first, who has full knowledge about the child’s medical history. Try to buy from reputable brands like Colorado Botanicals so that gummies have consistent dosing.
Ingredients
Take a hard look at the ingredient list of the gummies. Try to go with products that are free from artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, and high fructose syrup. Good quality brands use natural fruit and plant-derived extracts for all these things.
Too many preservatives are also a big no-no if the gummies are for kids. Some kids are allergic to gelatin, gluten, nuts, or certain food dyes, so clear this with the customer support team first. The flavor should appeal to kids’ palates but must not be too high in sugar content; otherwise, it may cause dental issues.
Tips for parents who are planning to give their children CBD gummies
First and foremost, discuss it with a certified pediatrician. In most cases, CBD may not be required, as there are plenty of medications with a good safety profile readily available in the market.
However, if the doctor approves, then go ahead, but only with highly reputed and well-tested products in very low dosages. Give your children a gummy dose at the same time every day and keep track of effects and behavioral changes.
Hide it in a secure place; gummies are just like candies, so there is a risk of kids munching on them behind your back. This could lead to severe health issues like upset stomach, liver damage, fever, and more. Be patient with the results; CBD takes time to work. It’s not a miracle medicine.
The End Note
Choosing the right CBD gummies for your children can be an overwhelming task. There are simply too many brands and variations. Your aim should be to look out for brands like Colorado Botanicals that are clean and transparent about what ingredients they use, extraction method, return policy, certifications, and lab test reports.
If you still have a hard time figuring things out, take a medical professional’s help. Also, only give CBD to your children under your supervision and keep proper track of potency and frequency of doses. If the kid reports any discomfort, immediately stop the gummy dosing and get in touch with the doctor.