Eight-year-olds have received cannabis in a clinical trial to treat behavioral problems

Cannabis is given to children as young as eight years old as part of a medical trial to evaluate the benefits of the drug for the treatment of behavioral problems.

The Murdoch Children's Research Institute has started testing at its Melbourne site since the beginning of the year.

The study focuses in particular on children living with intellectual disabilities and subject to aggression and self-harm, reported The Herald Sun.

If successful, it could be an alternative to antidepressants and antipsychotics, which have unpleasant side effects.

Cannabis is given to children as young as eight as part of a medical trial to test its benefits for the treatment of behavioral problems (image in stock)

The Murdoch Children's Research Institute (photo) has been doing the test on its Melbourne site since the beginning of the year.

Up to 25,000 young people with disabilities will benefit if the results are promising.

"It's often hell for these kids.They are really aggressive, damaging property, injuring themselves, hurting other people," said Associate Professor, Principal Investigator, Daryl Efron.

The pilot study focuses on a handful of children ages 8 to 16 living with an intellectual disability, such as autism.

The cannabis used in the trial comes from Canada and contains only its element cannabidiol – an active ingredient that provides therapeutic benefits without the effect usually badociated with the drug.

For eight weeks, children drink two teaspoons of peppermint tea each day.

Half takes the medication, while the other half is on placebo.

Dr. Efron said that the first signs already indicated a positive result.

He said that the children had responded well to the medication and that the positive impact was even noticeable in the parents.

"I am convinced that medical cannabis has many applications in children, especially those with behavioral problems.

"But we really need to understand which children are going to be useful, in what form of cannabis for medical purposes and with what particular symptoms it will help us – so we need to conduct appropriate studies."

Heather Renton's daughter, Rebecca, is one of the children participating in the trial.

She stated that she was supportive of any alternative medicine that could help her 12-year-old child, especially those who did not show any side effects.

Ms. Harvey stated that her daughter was prone to seizures and that her aggressive behavior made the task difficult.

Heather Renton's daughter, Rebecca, is one of the children participating in the lawsuit (picture in stock)