P0155 - Adverse Effects Associated with the Use of Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil Products on Adolescents and Young Adults

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) has grown in popularity in the treatment of many medical conditions. CBD oil products are easily accessible to adolescents and young adults. The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence of CBD use amongst adolescents and young adults, determine an association to other risk-taking behaviors, identify symptoms that may be associated with CBD use and understand beliefs about CBD use that may contribute to its growing prevalence.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to adolescents and young adults aged 12-23 years presenting for medical care to a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center/Emergency Department affiliated with a Children’s Hospital in central Pennsylvania which focused on demographics, risk-taking behaviors, use of CBD oil products, presence of clinical symptoms during the previous six months, and perceived advantages to the use of CBD oil. Stratification was performed to compare subjects who used CBD oil products and those who did not.

Results: Data analysis was performed on 155 completed questionnaires. The mean age of subjects was 17 years old and 63% were female. 39% reported CBD oil use. When stratified by frequency of use, compared to non-users, users reported statistically significant more use of cigarettes (43% (95% CI: 30-55) vs 9% (95% CI: 3-14); p=<0.0001), cigars (33% (95% CI: 21-45) vs 4% (95% CI: 0-8); p=<0.0001), chewing tobacco (18% (95% CI: 8-28) vs 1% (95% CI: 0-3); p=0.0002), and prescription pain meds without a prescription (25% (95% CI: 14-35) vs 6% (95% CI: 1-11); p=0.001). There were no significant differences between users and non-users who reported the following symptoms during the previous six months: chest pain, racing heart, difficulty breathing/cough, dizziness, abdominal discomfort, nausea/vomiting, headache, tremors, sleep disturbances or dehydration. In respect to perceived beliefs, 65% of responders believe CBD oil is “less addictive than other drugs,” 68% believe it is “safer than other drugs,” 33% believe it is “just for fun,” and 48% believe it can “help to treat my medical illness.” When asked about myths regarding CBD oil, responders reported ideas such as “it is a gateway drug,” “it is bad for you” and “it is addictive.”

Conclusions: Based on our preliminary data, 39% of subjects use CBD oil products. While CBD oil users reported several risk-taking behaviors, there were no differences in the report of clinical symptoms during the previous six months between users and non-users. The perceived beliefs about CBD oil use could contribute to their growing use among a younger population.