By now, most people should know that the only time adolescents should use cannabis products is if it is prescribed to them by a doctor for a debilitating condition. It is well known that cannabinoids present major risks to both children and teenagers because they negatively impact the brain’s developing emotional processing systems. For example, a 2002 study of young adults who used cannabis as teenagers found [1]:
- Young women who use cannabis daily have a 5x higher risk of depression and anxiety
- Teenagers using cannabis weekly or more have a 2x higher risk of depression/anxiety
While most adults would agree that marijuana should be kept away from adolescents and teenagers, there are a growing number of parents interested in giving their kids cannabidiol (CBD) products that are non-intoxicating. Many parents are searching for CBD for child sleep, CBD for child anger, CBD for child ADHD, and CBD for child anxiety. Their good intention is to improve their child’s health with natural products. However, new research is providing evidence that even non-intoxicating cannabinoids can have long-term negative health impacts.
Cannabinoids can influence almost every system in the body by exerting effects through the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is biologically linked to processes such as cognition, pain-sensing, memory, digestion, and even hormone production. Because of this, cannabinoids can influence our behavior, psychology, and our biology.
The recently published research paper, “Pre-Puberty Cannabichromene Exposure Modulates Reproductive Function Via Alteration of Spermatogenesis, Steroidogenesis, and eNOS Pathway Metabolites” studied the impacts of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabichromene (CBC) in a pre-pubescent mouse model [2]. CBC is a minor cannabinoid that can be found in full-spectrum CBD products. It is typically found in lower concentrations compared to more well-known cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD. Like other cannabinoids, CBC interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and regulating various physiological functions.
In adults, CBC can provide anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits [3]. However, this new research suggests that pre-pubescent CBC use could cause significant abnormalities in semen, including decreased sperm count [2]. The researchers also found that hormone levels in both testes and ovaries decreased with CBC use. Here are some of their specific observations:
- 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and cholesterol levels decreased in testes and ovaries (17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase affects male sexual development)
- Levels of testosterone, progesterone, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating hormones were reduced in the serum
- Expressions of androgen receptor and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor genes were significantly downregulated
- Histological evaluations revealed lesions, tubular necrosis, and cellular congestions in both the testes and ovaries
While this study brings up many biological and medical concepts and terms that might be hard to grasp, it makes a pointed conclusion that pre-puberty CBC exposure can inhibit normal steroid production, downregulate reproductive genes, and increase the chances of developing erectile dysfunction [2].
While this study was performed on animals, it would be unethical to conduct this research in actual children for obvious reasons. The important takeaway here is that more and more research is providing evidence that the risks outweigh the possible benefits when it comes to cannabis products in youths. Parents always want the best for their kids, and more and more this means seeking natural remedies over pharmaceuticals. However, when it comes to both hemp and marijuana there are major health risks to developing minds.
That is why parents need to be aware that there are unscrupulous CBD companies out there that will market CBD gummies for a child. These products are unregulated and truly dangerous to your child’s health. There are many less risky natural options for addressing behavioral issues in children, but CBD is not one of those options.t
References:
- Patton GC, Coffey C, Carlin JB, Degenhardt L, Lynskey M, Hall W. Cannabis use and mental health in young people: cohort study. BMJ. 2002 Nov 23;325(7374):1195-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.325.7374.1195. PMID: 12446533; PMCID: PMC135489.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC135489/
- Taiwo, O. A., Dosumu, O. A., James, A. S., Ugwor, E. I., Ojo, O. A., Dedeke, G. A., & Ademuyiwa, O. (2023). Pre-puberty cannabichromene exposure modulates reproductive function via alteration of spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, and eNOS pathway metabolites. Toxicology Reports.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750023000653
- Udoh, M., Santiago, M., Devenish, S., McGregor, I. S., & Connor, M. (2019). Cannabichromene is a cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist. British Journal of Pharmacology, 176(23), 4537-4547.
https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/bph.14815
