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Can CBD Stunt Growth?
As CBD continues to grow in popularity, especially among young adults and teenagers, an important question has come up: can CBD stunt growth? At the moment, there’s no strong evidence that CBD directly affects height or bone growth, but research into its effects on young, developing bodies is still very limited.
In this article, we’ll explore what we do know about CBD’s influence on development, how it differs from THC, and why caution is advised for younger users.
What Is CBD?
CBD (short for cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating compound extracted from the hemp plant, a type of cannabis. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD doesn’t make you high and is legal in the UK if it contains less than 1mg of THC per container.
CBD is widely used in oils, capsules, edibles, and skincare products. People often take it for anxiety, pain, inflammation, or sleep issues. While it’s generally well tolerated in adults, much less is known about how it affects children and teenagers, especially during key stages of growth.
Is There Evidence That CBD Stunts Growth?
There is currently no scientific proof that CBD stunts growth in humans. However, very few long-term studies have been done on children or adolescents taking CBD regularly over time. Most existing research focuses on adults or children with specific medical conditions, such as epilepsy, who are taking pharmaceutical-grade CBD under medical supervision.
Some animal studies have looked at how cannabinoids affect growth hormones and development, but findings are not conclusive and often involve high doses far beyond typical supplement use.
That means we can’t say for certain that CBD affects growth—but we also can’t rule it out, especially in developing bodies.
How Is Growth Regulated in the Body?
Human growth, particularly during puberty, is driven by a complex mix of hormones, including growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and sex hormones like oestrogen and testosterone.
CBD may interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a role in regulating hormone balance, mood, sleep, appetite, and more. However, we don’t yet know whether CBD’s impact on the ECS could alter growth hormone production or disrupt normal development.
What About CBD and Bone Growth?
Some early studies suggest that cannabinoids may influence bone health. For example, CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may even support bone healing in certain cases. But this doesn't mean it enhances growth, and it’s not clear whether these findings are relevant to long-term growth in adolescents.
Are There Risks for Young People?
Because teenagers and children are still developing—physically, emotionally, and neurologically—health experts advise caution when it comes to using CBD at a young age. While it may help manage specific medical conditions (such as epilepsy), self-medicating with over-the-counter CBD products is not recommended for anyone under 18 unless advised by a doctor.
Potential concerns include:
Hormonal disruption
Unknown long-term effects
Interaction with other medications
Lack of dosage regulation in many products
Contamination with THC or other compounds
What Do Experts Recommend?
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recommended that healthy adults should not take more than 70mg of CBD per day, and it explicitly advises pregnant and breastfeeding women to avoid it. There is no official recommended dose for children, and most reputable CBD companies do not sell to anyone under 18.
If a young person is being considered for medical CBD (e.g. Epidyolex for epilepsy), this must be done under medical supervision only.
Final Word
There’s no strong evidence that CBD stunts growth, but the lack of long-term studies means we can’t say for sure either way—particularly when it comes to teenagers and children. Because the body is still developing during these years, extra caution is advised, and CBD should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
For adults, CBD appears to be safe and well tolerated when used correctly. But for young people, it’s best to wait—or to speak to a doctor before considering any cannabis-based product.