Some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients report that using cannabis regularly has helped treat ADHD symptoms. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that while cannabis use is not a cure for ADHD symptoms, it may provide some therapeutic benefits for adults who seek treatment.
Cannabis strains range in potency and THC/CBD levels, and there are hundreds of strains worldwide. Ongoing research suggests that particularly high-CBD strains may work better than some ADHD medications to strengthen focus and assist attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients with daily responsibilities and tasks.
Remember that each marijuana strain affects everyone differently, and so what may help one person with anxiety may induce it for another. The same goes for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; some strains may relieve while others may worsen ADHD symptoms or result in a cannabis use disorder.
It’s important to remember to discuss possible ADHD treatment with trusted medical professionals and check out the cannabis laws in your state before beginning marijuana use, but typically strains higher in CBD will be the safest bet to treat ADHD without developing substance use disorders.
Next, we’ll provide a rundown of the connection between people with ADHD and cannabis use and a list of seven strains that are known to have positive attributes as an ADHD treatment.
Table of Contents
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder that impacts areas of the human brain that control planning, focusing on, and completing tasks.
ADHD is one of the most common mental health disorders that affect children. It also affects many American adults. In fact, 8.4 percent of Americans suffer from childhood ADHD, while 2.5 percent carry it into adulthood. Many young adults grow out of it, but that is not always the case.
What causes ADHD?
While scientists have not identified what causes an increased risk for developing ADHD symptoms, there is sufficient evidence that genetics is a leading factor among ADHD patients. According to the American Psychiatric Association, three out of four people with childhood ADHD symptoms have a relative with it as well.
Other possible factors include premature birth, brain injury, significant stress during pregnancy, and smoking or drinking alcohol with subsequent medication during pregnancy.
What are the primary symptoms?
ADHD patients seeking treatment typically experience similar symptoms involving overly high activity levels. Medical professionals look for three main signs before diagnosing someone with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Inattention- not being able to focus for long periods of time
- Hyperactivity- excessive movement that’s inappropriate for the setting
- Impulsivity- hasty actions without thinking them through first
During a clinical psychology review, these symptoms and a few others are used on a scale over six months to identify if patients seeking treatment fall within the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis.
It’s a process that includes talking to teachers when looking into childhood treatments, medical evaluations, speaking with peers, and completing a checklist to rule out other mental disorders or even substance use disorders.
Three types of ADHD
There are three types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Current ADHD symptom dimensions include the following:
- Inattentive
- Hyperactive/Impulsive
- Combination
Can cannabis help with ADHD symptoms?
Clinical research is currently being done to determine the effects of cannabis and marijuana on people with ADHD.
Here, we’ve considered medical advice from three specialists and medical online forum discussions regarding medicinal cannabis use to treat ADHD symptoms in addition to or in place of ADHD medications.
Keep reading for professional opinions regarding ADHD and cannabis use.
Elizabeth Harstad, MD.
Dr. Harstad is a pediatrician that specializes in childhood ADHD. Under the current ADHD symptom dimensions, she feels that medical cannabis could have adverse effects and could contribute to a greater risk of adolescent substance use disorders.
She mentions qualitative analysis and multiple studies that show marijuana use could worsen executive function and working memory. These are two areas that people with ADHD generally struggle with the most.
In children especially, altered brain development is also a risk of cannabis use. She goes further with comments comparing cannabis use to a medication that could counteract the benefits of stimulant medication prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Stephanie Sarkis, Ph.D.
Dr. Sarkis is a licensed and board-certified counselor specializing in mental health disorders and mental disease. She offers a different perspective that people with ADHD, particularly adults and teens, report cannabis can help with anxiety.
However, she says that marijuana use can also result in medical cannabis patients that lose focus and having more significant anxiety.
There’s a lot more to study and it’s important to remember that every strain is unique, and every medical cannabis patient will be affected differently. The risk of marijuana abuse and developing substance use disorders among people with ADHD is higher than average.
It’s essential to discuss medication changes or if you want to explore cannabinoid medication with your healthcare provider.
Dr. David Bearman
Dr. Bearman is a certified cannabis specialist that has significantly studied the connection between cannabis use and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He found that marijuana use can help produce dopamine in people with ADHD. By assisting the production of dopamine, it can take the place of other stimulant medications like Ritalin in a more natural way.
“Cannabis appears to treat ADD and ADHD by increasing the availability of dopamine. This then has the same effect but is a different mechanism of action than stimulants like Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Dexedrine amphetamine, which act by binding to the dopamine and interfering with the metabolic breakdown of dopamine.” -Dr. Bearman
What are the potential negative effects of cannabis use for ADHD?
There can be negative effects when using medical cannabis and ADHD medications together or when substituting one for the other without medical guidance. Especially for children and young adults, the risk of developing more severe cannabis outcomes such as cannabis use disorders or adolescent substance abuse problems is significantly higher.
The reasoning for not trying medical cannabis for childhood treatments is due to possible altered brain development or clinically significant impairment on memory and focus over time.
However, cannabis withdrawal is not typical, and especially when trying CBD or low THC strains, the mental health benefits could outweigh the risk.
It’s crucial to set a plan with your doctor and follow a regular schedule just as you would with stimulant medication prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Is Marijuana addictive?
While marijuana use does not typically result in physical withdrawals or substance use disorders, it can be potentially dangerous for specific users, including people with ADHD.
According to the NIDA, marijuana abusers with severe cannabis outcomes can develop adverse effects similar to alcohol use disorders. However, with marijuana use, it’s called “cannabis use disorders.”
It’s rare to develop cannabis use disorder, but especially with the potency out there today, you can experience adverse effects when you smoke marijuana regularly. Always proceed with drug, alcohol, or nicotine products with caution and talk with a medical professional if you begin to notice drug abuse or more severe cannabis outcomes.
Developing an addiction can be hard to combat and even more so with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. While cannabis helps with specific symptoms, an ADHD patient wouldn’t want to risk offsetting progress or developing a cannabis use disorder.
Top Medical Marijuana Strains
These seven strains are known for helping users focus without anxiety. Most are higher in CBD than THC, with some having barely any THC at all.
If you live in a legal state, contact your local dispensary for the best information on the strains they have to benefit people with ADD and ADHD.
- Pineapple Express
- Blue Dream
- CBD Kush
- Tangie
- ACDC
- Sour Diesel
- Cannatonic
Are there other disorders that can be treated with medical cannabis?
Medical marijuana use has been known to help treat ADHD symptoms. Many older and young adults report cannabis helps with other symptoms, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Drug and alcohol dependence
- Chronic pain
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Anxiety and Depression
- Arthritis
- Cancer-related symptoms
- Loss of appetite
- Mental disease & Alzheimer’s
Can Cannabis also Help with ADHD Symptoms?
Cannabis may offer potential benefits for managing ADHD symptoms. Some studies suggest that cannabis benefits for exercise can also extend to improving focus and reducing hyperactivity in individuals with ADHD. However, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of cannabis on ADHD symptoms.
Where to buy ADHD use Marijuana
As always, discuss substituting medical cannabis for ADHD medications with your doctor before prospective association with the plant.
It’s also an excellent idea to talk with medical marijuana dispensary experts about cannabis consumption, the best strains and products that can help with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the ones that could have an increased risk of adverse effects or drugs abuse.
Depending on local laws, you may be able to order delivery or pickup from a recreational dispensary, or you may need a medical marijuana card and prescription before using.
Summary
Although cannabis is not a cure for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there is sufficient evidence and many online forum discussions that say some medicinal cannabis Sativa strains can help with focus and anxiety.
That being said, there is still much clinical research to be done on the connection between ADHD and cannabis use, and there is a risk of adverse health effects or drug dependence. It’s always best to discuss cannabis Sativa with your doctor before experimenting with your medications.
