Recent research places cannabis as one of the most versatile plants on the planet. People find benefit in essentially every part of the plant for everything including recreational, beauty, and medicinal purposes.
Because of the benefits that keep surfacing, cannabis research also focuses on treating children. Many parents now use CBD oil for autism, to help their children cope.
Using CBD Oil for Autism
Before jumping on board and using a cannabinoid for your child’s autism, of course, you want certain questions answered. Read on for 8 things you should know about CBD oil and autism.
1. What Is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring chemical extracted from the hemp and the marijuana plant. Though hemp is cannabis and in the same family as marijuana, hemp and marijuana differ from one another. CBD is one of 85 cannabinoids discovered in cannabis.
2. Will Using CBD for Autism Make My Child High?
The infamous high comes from a psychoactive compound called THC. CBD, another compound of the plant, differs from this in that it does not produce any psychoactive effects. Unlike THC, which attaches to cannabinoid 1 receptors in the brain that trigger the reward center, CBD attaches to cannabinoid 2 receptors located of immune cells and peripheral nerves.
Due to this, CBD oil will not make your child high.
3. Is CBD Oil Legal to Use in All 50 States?
You may feel concerned about using CBD oil if you live in a state where marijuana is not yet legalized. For this reason, you should know and trust the source of your CBD oil.
As mentioned above, marijuana and hemp come from the same family but are not exactly the same plant. Long before the talk of legalizing marijuana became popular, people used hemp and hemp oil in all sorts of ways. So, CBD from hemp does not affect you legally in most states.
The legality of CBD oil comes into play when it comes from marijuana. The difference lies in the amount of THC contained in the product. Hemp only contains .3% THC, while marijuana contains 10%, so the CBD oil can contain various amounts depending on the source.
To err on the side of caution, you should obtain a medical prescription before buying CBD for autism, as medical marijuana puts you at less legal risk. Unfortunately, if you live in Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska or South Dakota, then using any CBD oil for any purpose is 100% illegal.
4. Why Use CBD Oil for Autism?
Research shows a promising future that CBD oil works for epileptic children, especially with the FDA approval of Epidiolex. Autism affects the brain similarly to the way seizure disorders affect the brain, therefore making scientists wonder if it could help children with autism in the same way.
Though CBD cannot cure Autism or any of the spectrum disorders, its properties can significantly help the children who live with it. One research study on using CBD for autism revealed that the oil helped decrease behavioral issues in 80%, improved communication with 50% and decreased anxiety in 40% of the treated children.
5. What is the Best CBD Oil for Autism?
Though the answer is not clear-cut, you should choose a trusted brand that provides a pure product to get the best CBD oil. Everyone’s body works a little differently, making it tough to say the one that will work best for you and your child.
Do keep in mind the method of delivery. While a vape product may get great reviews and is fast acting, you may not want your child vaping. Finding capsules or drops for children who find swallowing pills difficult may be more your style. You can get creative and add it to a favorite food or drink to help with the administration.
6. What is the Hemp Oil Dosage for a Child?
Most medications you give your little one come with a clear dosage chart on the back. Unfortunately, the FDA has not approve it for the treatment of autism, so the dosage for CBD oil does not come clear on the package as it would for an approved medication.
The serving size for CBD depends on several factors including height, weight, metabolic rate, and what you are trying to accomplish. Click here for recommended serving sizes. Though research suggests this amount, you should still consult your child’s pediatrician for a more accurate recommendation, as well as proper supervision during that process.
7. Does Health Insurance Help Cover the Cost?
Though many states recognize medical marijuana and CBD oil as legal, the Federal Government does not as of yet, and with this most insurance plans will not cover the cost of CBD oil.
Knowing the benefits of CBD for children with autism, this is a hard pill to swallow. You may find writing to your state’s legislator helpful in changing the law and possibly putting you in the right direction to find help with this.
8. Is It Safe?
CBD oil not only provides you with a safe option for your child, it could be a safer option than most alternative medications. As with any natural or pharmaceutical remedy, CBD oil does come with some minor side effects.
The side effects of CBD oil include:
- cottonmouth
- a minor decrease in blood pressure
- dizziness and lightheadedness
- drowsiness
- some contraindications with some medications
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