The use of CBD oil in children: More questions than answers

Abstract

There are certainly times when public interest in an option for treatment of childhood behavioral health issues outpaces our ability to offer informed opinions. Lately, this has been true with the use of cannabidiol (CBD) oil. In my own practice, two families in the last few weeks have wondered if it might be useful for treatment of anxiety. As a psychologist, I would not be the person to best answer the question anyway — but I also realized I wasn't informed enough about the topic to discuss it with them. It became clear that they were thinking of CBD oil as a “natural supplement,” in the category of melatonin or some herbal remedies, and could cite many blogs that touted its effectiveness for a variety of issues. Many of us in the mental health field have been slow to consider potential uses for CBD oil, perhaps because of very real concerns about legality, lack of research on safety and effectiveness, and concern about potential effects on developing brains.