Increased cannabis use and the usage of other substances like alcohol and tobacco have long been linked to ADHD. As a result, many experts believe it is more detrimental than beneficial in treating ADHD. Despite this, many patients claim that cannabis allows them to feel better in control of their symptoms, which raises critical considerations.
What exactly is ADD/ADHD?
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disturbed, is a disease marked by behavioral characteristics such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD is most often diagnosed in youngsters, although it affects around 5% of children and 3% of adults globally, posing school, job, and family life issues.
Can cannabis assist with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
While there has been no systematic study on the use of cannabis for ADHD, many people with the disorder say that it has helped them. Max Simon, who has ADHD, says smoking marijuana “just sort of calms my system down to what I would think is more what normal people feel like daily.”
Simon is not alone; according to one research, 25% of online forum discussions concerning cannabis and ADHD suggested therapeutic advantages, with remarks like “While you are high you will be able to concentrate much, much better than you usually would” and “(cannabis) helps me considerably with my ADHD.”
Only 8% of people said their symptoms had become worse. 2 Doctors have even published case reports in which cannabis effectively treated severe ADHD symptoms, stating that it lowered behavioral symptoms, alleviated mental distress, and even improved driving skills. 3 4 Researchers believe that cannabis’ better symptoms are due to its stimulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). According to research, ADHD individuals have a deficiency in the ECS, which results in dopamine and serotonin deficits.
Despite this, many people contend that cannabis usage may be harmful to those with ADHD, citing research that demonstrates increased symptoms and greater rates of cannabis use disorders. Some argue that the increased cannabis usage is just self-medication, citing studies that indicate symptom relief. No major systematic research has been conducted to determine if cannabis is more likely to assist or harm people living with ADHD.
How do ADHD medications and cannabis work together?
One major concern for individuals who opt to use cannabis for ADHD is if in conjunction with other ADHD drugs. ADHD patients often use prescription drugs such as Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), Ritalin, and Concerti (methylphenidate), but little study has been done on pharmacological interactions with cannabis.
Given the high rates of the combination, one assessment of past studies found scant research but speculated that if there were substantial contraindications, we would likely see major difficulties arise. They concluded insufficient evidence to warrant withholding ADHD medication from cannabis users. However, since the data cannot rule out the possibility of a rare unfavorable response, patients who take both should be aware that a reaction might occur, especially if a high dosage of either medication is used.
Other studies that looked at combining cannabis with ADHD medicine revealed some advantages. Cannabis usage was linked to a decrease in ADHD medication, reduced ADHD symptoms, and lower anxiety in a short study of 59 participants.
Another research ADHD patients found that individuals with a cannabis use problem used less medication and received less behavioral treatment. That cannabis use disorder increased the likelihood of inpatient treatment and lengthier inpatient stays, which resulted in higher healthcare expenses. That teenagers with ADHD and CUD are more prone to drink alcohol.
Is cannabis the same way it interacts with all ADHD medications?
While the study above looked at cannabis and ADHD meds, it’s crucial to remember that not all ADHD medications are created equal. For example, stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin may aid attention and alertness. Still, they can also induce side effects, including sleeplessness, racing, pounding heart, anxiety, and physical dependence and addiction in some circumstances.
While stimulants are the most prevalent treatment for ADHD, people who aren’t tolerant of the side effects may take non-stimulant ADHD drugs, which are more akin to blood pressure and antidepressant treatments. Strattera is a non-stimulant that is particularly promoted for ADHD. These alternatives have less unpleasant side effects and a lower risk of addiction.
There hasn’t been much research on cannabis and ADHD drugs, but one study looked at cannabis and methylphenidate (MPH), the stimulant in Ritalin and Concerta. Researchers investigated the interaction of THC (a psychoactive cannabinoid from cannabis) and MPH in this small, well-designed double-blind study of 16 healthy individuals (without ADHD).
Cannabis and Adderall
Much research on amphetamine (the active component in Adderall) and cannabis exists. Still, it focuses on the effects of ADHD therapy on cannabis usage in individuals who also have a cocaine use problem. They discovered that treating individuals with ADHD and cocaine addiction with Adderall decreased their weekly cannabis consumption. Unfortunately, this reveals very little regarding the safety and effectiveness of combining these medications for individuals who desire to do so.
Cannabis and other ADHD drugs
There is no study on the interactions of other ADHD drugs, such as Viviane and Focalin, with THC products like Delta 8 or Delta 9. So, if you’re presently utilizing these choices and contemplating cannabis, you should proceed with care, but in general, you should expect them to have comparable dangers.
Conclusion
The stimulant mixed with THC might cause cardiac stress, resulting in a racing heart, fluctuating blood pressures, or worsening heart conditions. Furthermore, anxiousness may be a serious issue when using an inappropriate amount of stimulants or cannabis. Take deep breaths, get some cool air, and use these strategies to keep yourself from becoming too high.
It’s crucial to talk to your consultant before adding cannabis to your ADHD treatment plan, as it is with any drugs. When cannabis and ADHD drugs are combined, research reveals that adverse effects such as increased heart stress, gastrointestinal difficulties, and higher addictive tendencies are likely. Even if cannabis is an effective therapy for ADHD, it is a drug that requires careful dosage adjustment to meet your specific requirements.
