Recognizing THC Overdose in Children

 

Edible THC products like gummies can look just like regular candy, making them attractive to children. As cannabis (marijuana) products become more common in households due to legalization, accidental THC poisonings in children are on the rise in the U.S. National data show an alarming increase in young kids getting into THC edibles. In fact, poison control centers saw a 1,375% spike in reports of children under 6 ingesting cannabis edibles between 2017 and 2021​ healthychildren.org. Over 7,000 pediatric cases were reported in that five-year span​ web.musc.edu. Toddlers are the most commonly affected (with two-year-olds accounting for the largest share)​ healthychildren.org. This trend is a serious concern for parents and caregivers. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, and a small amount can cause major effects in a little body. It’s important to know how to recognize the symptoms of a THC overdose in a child and what to do if it happens.

Common Symptoms of THC Poisoning in Children

Accidental THC ingestion can make a child very sick. The effects may start within 30 minutes to a couple of hours after eating a THC product, and they can last for many hours. Young children often can’t tell you what’s wrong, so you have to watch for signs. Here are some common symptoms of THC overdose or poisoning in children:

• Extreme drowsiness or trouble staying awake: The child may be excessively sleepy or lethargic, and you might have a hard time waking them up. They could even appear unresponsive or limp in severe cases​

• Unsteady walking or loss of coordination: THC affects balance. Kids may have trouble walking or sitting up and appear dizzy or clumsy​. If an older child is affected, you might notice slurred speech or difficulty talking clearly​.

• Confusion or unusual behavior: The child might seem disoriented, confused, or just “out of it.” Older kids might report things like seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations) or may become anxious, panicked, or agitated​

• Vomiting: Stomach upset is common. The child may vomit, which can also lead to dehydration and add to their lethargy​.

• Breathing problems: In serious overdoses, breathing can slow down or become irregular​. A few children have become so sedated that their breathing slowed to dangerous levels​. If you notice very slow or shallow breathing, that’s an emergency.

• Seizures (rare): In very rare cases, a child might have a seizure after a large ingestion of THC​. This is uncommon but is a sign of a life-threatening poisoning and requires immediate medical help.

• Fast heart rate or other changes: You might feel the child’s heart racing. They could also have pale, sweaty skin or look physically ill. High doses of THC can affect heart and blood pressure, causing a fast heartbeat or, less commonly, a drop in blood pressure (which might make the child look pale or feel dizzy).

Not every child will have all these symptoms – it depends on their size and how much THC they ate. Even a single THC edible (like one gummy or one brownie) can contain several times the amount of THC in a typical joint and can easily overwhelm a small child’s system. Health experts warn that children who consume THC can become very sick, often needing emergency care​ cdc.gov. If you notice any combination of the above signs and suspect your child got into a cannabis product, take it seriously and act quickly.

What to Do If Your Child Ingests THC

If you discover or even just suspect that your child has eaten a THC-containing product (for example, you find an empty edible package, or the child was left alone with a marijuana snack), don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Take the following steps immediately:

1. Stay calm and check the child: First, see if your child is awake, responsive, and breathing normally. If they are having severe symptoms right now – for example, if they’re having trouble breathing, having a seizure, or won’t wake up – call 9-1-1 right away​. This is a medical emergency.

2. Call Poison Control for guidance: If the child is stable (awake and breathing okay), call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately for expert advice​. Do not wait for things to get worse – poison control specialists are available 24/7 and will tell you what to do next. (You can also use the online tool at Poison.org if you prefer, but a phone call is usually quickest in this situation.) The experts may ask about your child’s age, weight, and what they ate. They might guide you on whether you can monitor the child at home or if you should go to the hospital.

3. Check the product (if available): If you have the wrapper or packaging of the edible, take a quick look at how much THC it contains. This can help medical professionals estimate the dose. For instance, some candy bars or bags of gummies can contain dozens or even hundreds of milligrams of THC. Provide this information to Poison Control or emergency responders. Do not give the child anything to eat or drink (unless Poison Control tells you to), and do not try to make them vomit – let medical experts guide you.

4. Follow medical advice: Poison Control may direct you to manage the child at home if the amount seems small and symptoms are mild, or they may tell you to go to the emergency room. If at any point your child’s condition worsens (for example, they have difficulty breathing or lose consciousness), call 9-1-1 without delay. When you get to the hospital or the paramedics arrive, be honest about what happened – tell healthcare providers that your child may have ingested a THC product. There is no judgment; the priority is to help your child. Knowing that cannabis might be the cause will help doctors treat your child faste.

Remember, fast action is key. The FDA advises that if a child eats a THC product, caregivers should call poison control immediately and not wait for symptoms to develop​ fda.gov. It’s free and confidential, and it can save your child’s life or prevent serious harm. Most children recover fully from THC poisoning with appropriate care​ poison.org, but they may need hours of observation, and in some cases, hospitalization. It’s always better to be safe and get help right away.

A Concerned but Proactive Approach

The rise in pediatric THC overdoses is indeed worrisome, but with awareness and preparation, we can protect our kids. Recognize the symptoms of THC poisoning – from drowsiness and wobbliness to more severe signs – and act fast by calling Poison Control or 911 as needed. Prevention is the best medicine: keep cannabis products out of little hands and educate those around you. By staying alert and following these guidelines, parents and caregivers can enjoy peace of mind and ensure that curious kiddos stay safe in an environment where THC products are increasingly common. Your vigilance and prompt action can prevent a scary situation from turning into a tragedy​. Together, we can reduce pediatric poisonings and keep our children healthy and out of harm’s way.