Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is one of the most discussed products in states that have legalized medical marijuana. And people often use the words’ cannabis’ and ‘marijuana’ interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing.

The word ‘cannabis’ refers to all products derived from the plant Cannabis sativa.
The cannabis plant contains about 540 chemical substances.
The word ‘marijuana’ refers to parts of or products from the plant Cannabis sativa that contain substantial amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the substance that’s primarily responsible for the effects of marijuana on a person’s mental state. Some cannabis plants contain minimal THC. These plants are categorized as “industrial hemp” rather than marijuana, under the U.S. law.

(NCCIH)

What is CBD Oil In Simple Terms?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a product that’s derived from cannabis. It’s a type of cannabinoid, which are the chemicals naturally found in marijuana plants. Even though it comes from marijuana plants, CBD doesn’t create a “high” effect or any form of intoxication that is caused by another cannabinoid, known as THC.

There are some mixed opinions around cannabis products like CBD oil because of recreational marijuana use. But there’s growing awareness about the possible health benefits of CBD oil.

CBD oil is available in a wide range of forms, like baked goods and beverages. It becomes harder to know the exact quantity of CBD in those products. Other than using prescription products like Epidiolex, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to control the amount of CBD administered to any child using these products.

Talk to your doctor before using CBD oil. It hasn’t been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any medical uses, and it can have side effects.

Key Facts About Products Containing Cannabis or CBD:

Cannabis is a plant of the Cannabaceae family and contains more than eighty biologically active chemical compounds. The most commonly known compounds are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the component that produces the “high” associated with marijuana use. Considerable interest has been around CBD and its potential related to health benefits.
Marijuana is different from CBD. CBD is a single compound in the cannabis plant, and marijuana is a type of cannabis plant or plant material that contains many naturally occurring compounds, including CBD and THC.
The FDA has approved only one CBD product, a prescription drug product to treat two rare, severe forms of epilepsy.
It is currently illegal to market CBD by adding it to food or labeling it as a dietary supplement.
The FDA has seen only limited data about CBD safety. Keep these data points to real risks in mind before taking CBD for any reason.
Some CBD products are being marketed with unproven medical claims and are of unknown quality.

(U.S. Food & Drug Administration)

What are the Risks of Using CBD Oil for Children?

For hundreds of years, people have used marijuana. But CBD oil use is a relatively new idea. No longitudinal studies can still confirm the result for the use in children or their effects. It may produce significant side effects, such as restlessness and issues with sleep that may be like the conditions you are trying to treat.

It may also interact with other medications your child is taking. Much like grapefruit, CBD interferes with some of the enzymes needed to metabolize drugs in the system. Don’t give CBD to your child if they are taking any medication that has a grapefruit warning.

CBD oil is unregulated, making it difficult, if not impossible, for parents to have complete confidence about what’s in the product they’re purchasing. A study published in JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) revealed labeling inaccuracies among CBD products. Some products had less CBD than stated, while others had more.

Anecdotally, many parents have reported that CBD oil is beneficial for their children. However, when it comes to your child, take a buyer-beware approach. Always talk to your child’s pediatrician before starting any new supplements or medications. Speak to a cannabis specialist to get specific advice on cannabinoids, doses, and product types that will benefit your child’s condition.

How safe is CBD for pets/animals?

CBD pet care products come in many of the same forms, you are probably used to seeing for humans, including edibles (think: chewable treats and capsules), oils that can be added to food or placed under the tongue and topical creams or balms that are rubbed directly on the skin. Like the CBD products meant for humans, each of these CBD pet care product types appears to have a different effect on the body, in dogs, anyway.

Unfortunately, there are many unanswered questions about the effects of marijuana and CBD in pets. But research into these effects is underway. Studies are underway to look at the potential benefits of CBD for controlling pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis, calming anxious pets, and if it may help with treating epilepsy in dogs.

Furthermore, with the added attention, more studies are looking at the potential effects and benefits CBD and marijuana may hold for pets. Many veterinarians are recommending CBD oils and extract treats for animals with certain conditions, and the popularity of this growing trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.

Conclusion

A lot of companies manufacture CBD oil today. However, it is not federally regulated so it is hard to know whether a product is safe and providing an accurate dose. CBD oil can sometimes contain THC and other toxins.

We strongly recommend that people interested in CBD should seek out a doctor who understands about the extract and its potential uses. They need to be monitored and managed by cannabis specialists. Individual treatment or for pets, people should not just go out and buy CBD extract thinking it as a sure shot remedy for any ailment.

Works Cited

Cherney, Kristeen. “CBD Oil Benefits: Cancer, Pain, Anxiety, and More.”

Healthline, Healthline Media, 7 Apr. 2020,

www.healthline.com/health/cbd-oil-benefits.

Commissioner, Office of the. “What to Know About Products Containing Cannabis and CBD.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 3 May 2020, www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis.

“Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know.” Edited by Health Information, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Nov. 2019, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know.

Whelan, Corey. “Should You Use CBD for Children?”

Healthline, Healthline Media, 1 Apr. 2020, www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/cbd-for-children.

Kosecki, Danielle. “Should You Give Your Pets CBD? It Depends.”

CNET, CNET, 13 Sept. 2019,

www.cnet.com/health/is-cbd-safe-for-pets/.

News, ASPCA. “Are There Safety Concerns About CBD Products and My Pets?” ASPCA, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 6 June 2019, www.aspca.org/news/are-there-safety-concerns-about-cbd-products-and-my-pets.

What is CBD Oil and Is It Safe to Give to Children & Pets?