Going green, complementary medicine, the natural approach. Some buzz words that are creeping up more and more often as people are wanting to NATURALLY improve the functioning of the body without potentially risky medications and side effects.
Parents especially want to do their best for their children. And with the increasing number of behavioural and psychological issues arising in children, we may benefit to look at the core of what could be contributing.
CBD oil is becoming rather popular for ‘treating’ a range of conditions. However, is it really as good as some claim?
Research is divided, with results being more anecdotal rather than conclusive. However, there is a reason researchers are so eager to learn more. The cannabis plant contains cannabinoids that mimic our endogenous cannabinoids – known as endocannabinoids, the cells in the endocannabinoid system that activates receptors.
This ability alone should not be ignored. With the medical and scientific community agreeing that it is possible many medical conditions could be caused by deficiency of these important cells.
Let’s talk about what CBD oil could be good for.
CBD oil is still in its infancy; however, test results and research are very promising, with more research being presented covering a range of benefits for CBD oil, especially in cases of epilepsy.
The FDA has approved two CBD medications for helping treat epilepsy.
“Sydney is one of 25 children participating in the clinical trial at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia who are receiving doses of Epidiolex, a purified CBD created by London-based GW Pharmaceuticals. Part of the drug’s attraction is that it is low in THC.
“ “Prior to this study, she couldn’t do a puzzle. After about two weeks, she was whipping through puzzles on an iPad and we’re like, ‘Who is this kid?’” Michaels said. “ “We’re talking about a kid who was seizing easily from 1,000 to 3,000 times in a week. It was incredible.’” (Lex Talamo, The Washington Post. www.washingtonpost.com 2015)
CBD carries many benefits, one being it has a good ratio of Omega-3 and 6. Whether or not this is connected to its wide range of benefits is still to be determined.
CBD oil has also been used to ease inflammation in skin allergies and food allergy symptoms, used topically and internally. When inflammation levels are high in the blood, a host of issues can occur. CBD oil has the ability to suppress certain protein groups that lead to inflammation. The binding of CBD to serotonin and adenosine receptors influences pain perception and inflammation.
Additionally, cannabinoids carry immune-modulating properties, encourages homeostasis by ensuring adequate amounts of endogenous cells are present to do their job on receptors, increases stimulation of neurotransmitters, and improves the natural sleeping cycle. CBD binds to receptors in the endocannabinoid system, and the endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating mood, sleep, appetite and circadian rhythms. It has been extrapolated that CBD interacts with specific receptors, affecting the sleep/wake cycle. These actions are enhanced with small amounts of THC.
CBD’s ability to encourage the number of endogenous cells points to its ability to not only treat the symptoms, also to potentially treat the cause.
What about CBD oil for other behavioural issues?
Research has demonstrated that CBD oil is beneficial for treating seizures. However, what about social anxiety, separation anxiety, ADHD, and hyperactivity?
Unfortunately, these conditions are rising in young children. Whether it is due to the diet, more pressure in school, social media and other outside influences, it is becoming increasingly common for children to be put on medication to ‘treat’ anxiety, leading to side effects that are rather unpleasant.
CBD oil is well-known for its sedative effects, not just physically, also mentally. CBD oil increases the levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin, which not only helps to boost happiness, it can also aid in reducing restlessness and impulsive behaviour commonly seen in children with ADHD.
Although there is no conclusive evidence to say CBD oil should be a stand-alone treatment for any medical condition, what does seem to be agreed upon is that it can ease symptoms, aid in reducing dosage of other medication, and perhaps bring a little balance back to the body when it is jolted out of alignment!
Before considering administering CBD oil, ensure you have spoken to your doctor about the dose and any possible interactions with other medications.
I would love to hear if you have tried CBD oil for your child, why, and what the outcome was!
Writing, Health, and CBD 