Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ve probably heard of the rising star CBD oil and its seemingly miraculous effects in treating epilepsy, anxiety, and insomnia. You may have even tried it yourself. But did you know that you could actually use it for your kids too? Here are 5 ways CBD oil could end your child’s anxiety and how to make sure they stay safe.

So what is CBD oil?

CBD or cannabidiol is a cannabis compound found in hemp and marijuana similar to the more controversial compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). However, different from THC, CDB does not get users “high” or possess any psychoactive qualities. CBD oil is used by many to manage a number of health conditions including ADHD, depression, autism, anxiety, and epilepsy.

Is it legal?

CBD oil derived from the hemp plant is legal in the entire United States and can be purchased online or over the counter because it does not contain THC. CBD oil derived from marijuana on the other hand usually has trace amounts of THC and is illegal in states where marijuana is illegal. It is important that you understand the laws of your state and which product you are actually buying.

Keep in mind that both work well for alleviating anxiety in children, however, some medical professionals argue that CBD with trace amounts of THC is more effective.

Where can you get it?

CBD oil from marijuana can be purchased through a medical marijuana dispensary with a green card prescribed by a doctor and will usually contain a THC percentage of below 0.3%. CBD oil from hemp is found online or in health food stores. Because CBD oil is not regulated by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) it can be tricky to find a pure source without unwanted added ingredients. It can also be difficult to know exactly how much CBD is contained in whatever product you are buying which makes appropriate dosing difficult.

In fact, a 2017 study in the journal of the American Medical Association evaluated CBD products purchased online and found that 26% contained less CBD than the label claimed. Look for a company that can provide third-party testing and a Certificate of Analysis. You will usually pay a little more from such suppliers, but you can have confidence that the product you are purchasing is legitimate.

Ways CBD oil can help children with anxiety

Severe anxiety in children is becoming more and more common and so many doctors simply treat the issue with a veritable pharmacy of prescription drugs. These drugs can have many side effects such as changing your child’s behavior or causing them to become dependent on medication to function.

Many parents are researching alternative options to help alleviate anxiety disorders in their children and CBD oil is at the top of the list. It is not just a snake oil supported by crazed health enthusiasts either, scientists are taking a keen interest in this booming industry. One study supported CBD oil as a viable, safe treatment for anxiety disorders and reachers encouraged more testing.

It is important to talk to your child’s doctor before beginning any alternative treatment that may interfere with their current prescriptions. A natural doctor can also help with dosing and with finding a reputable CBD oil source.

Remember, though the anecdotal evidence is strong to support CBD use for a number of conditions, research has been slow to catch up and there is still a lot that needs to be studied before it is deemed totally safe and effective by science. However, flagship studies are incredibly promising and have been unable to determine any adverse side effects of using CBD oil in children.

Improve the quality of sleep

Many children with anxiety have trouble falling asleep and suffer from persistent insomnia. CBD oil can help improve the quality of sleep by modulating the neurotransmitter release at the CBD receptors in the brain. This then prevents excessive neuronal activity and allows your child to fall asleep.

Increase feelings of well-being

Anxiety is usually based on fear or paranoia related to past trauma or stress. This can become exceedingly detrimental in children who were previously carefree and happy. CBD works on the “feel good” center of the brain and can increase feelings of well-being in anxious children who suffer from panic attacks.

Work as a transition from prescription drugs

If your child is already on prescription drugs to deal with their anxiety, they may have become dependent and will potentially find is hard to return to normal function after stopping such heavy use. Nobody wants to be stuck using drugs forever and it is incredibly hard on the body. CBD oil is an excellent tool for transitioning your child into self-coping methods to manage their anxiety and teaching them healthy ways to process it without relying on medication.

Note: Consult your physician before stopping or starting any medication.

Allows them to continue daily activities

Many pharmaceutical drugs used to treat anxiety have sedative effects that, while usually effective in reducing anxiety, can often make it hard for your child to function properly. Depending on the dosage and the drug, it can seem like your child is an entirely different person and some of their joy and infectious excitement may seem shuttered. Because CBD oil has minimal sedative effects, it can allow your child to cope with their anxiety without compromising their quality of life.

Causes relaxation

Over time, clinical anxiety can lead to serious health problems that begin to affect the entire body. When the body is constantly stressed in fight or flight mode, it is producing high levels of adrenaline that are not being used. This overproduction of adrenaline can lead to adrenal fatigue and other concerns. CBD oil helps restore the mind and body to a state of relaxation and peace by influencing the part of the brain that deals with emotion, sensory perception, memory, and cognition.