CBD Oil For ADHD? Here's How It Can Help

person Larry Ostrovsky
calendar_today Dec 13, 2017

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) rates have been on the rise in recent decades, and the stats speak for themselves. In 2017, the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics published a study that profiled ADHD diagnosis and treatment among U.S. children aged 2–5 years. Their results indicated that the prevalence of the disorder had increased 57 percent from 2007 to 2012. Due to the bad rap that the mainstream medicine is getting, especially regarding side effects and the medicine’s addictive nature, CBD oil for ADHD may be the ideal alternative. [1]

There are a couple of explanatory theories for the increase of these disorders across the United States. However, even these seem contradictory in nature—is it due to improved models for diagnosis and better data surveys, or are doctors over-diagnosing? Another theory postulates that the rise of ADHD in the U.S. is based on changing lifestyles, meaning that children tend to spend way more time inside and in front of screens than they did a decade ago. [2] [3]

Whatever the cause, there is an increased need for appropriate treatment. Traditional medications such as Adderall and Ritalin are stimulatory and are easily abused. The long-term use of Adderall, in particular, has also been linked to psychological and physical dependence—that is, addiction.

The American Addiction Centers explain furthermore that, over time, Adderall may cause “physical damage to the brain, internal systems, and organs”. Heavy use over time may also include sleep difficulties, fatigue, aggression, panic attacks, headaches, depression, and anxiety, to name but a few.

There is an increased need for ADHD treatment and CBD oil for ADHD may be the ideal alternative.

RELATED: How To Quit Adderall For Good

However, alongside the rise in diagnoses, there has been an alarming 40 percent rise in Adderall prescription rates between 2007 and 2011. [4]

Cannabinoids Have a Proven Track Record for ADHD

The increased reliance on pharmaceuticals, as well as the negative side-effect profile, maybe the reasons patients are increasingly turning to alternative, more natural solutions for ADHD. Instead of using a possibly addictive drug, many adults are opting to try marijuana CBD for ADHD to improve mental clarity, focus, and control of impulsive behavior.

In 2016, a first-ever qualitative analysis of online forum discussions on cannabis use and ADHD revealed the following: “Despite that, there are no clinical recommendations or systematic research supporting the beneficial effects of cannabis use for ADHD, online discussions indicate that cannabis is considered therapeutic for ADHD.” [5]

However, the psychoactive components of medical and other marijuana preparations do give rise to problems. In an ironic twist, marijuana use disorders and ADHD-like symptoms in teenagers have been convincingly linked in several recent studies. [6][9]

So, while cannabis has been used for years by people self-medicating, it could lead to unsafe habitual use and other mental health disorders. This, though, is mainly due to the sole psychoactive constituent of the Cannabis sativa L. plant—tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. While THC has proven medicinal properties, it also causes the hallmark “high” marijuana is known for and may be the reason for marijuana’s addictive properties.

Yet, cannabis has more treasures in its trove, as THC is only one of many healthful cannabinoids in the plant. The latest cannabinoid to have been isolated and become the subject of plenty of studies, cannabidiol (CBD) may be the solution everyone is looking for—for various reasons.

Many adults are opting to try marijuana CBD for ADHD to improve mental clarity, focus, and control of impulsive behavior.

CBD for ADHD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of more than 80 known cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its THC counterpart, CBD does not have any psychoactive side effects, nor does it alter someone's state of mind in noticeable ways. Instead, it has many known medicinal characteristics that have propelled it into popular culture as an alternative therapy. In fact, many adults are taking CBD oil for ADHD as part of a self-medication plan and are reporting positive results.

Dr. David Bearman is a consultant for the online medical marijuana news portal Medical Marijuana 411. He notes that as early as 1998, people were advocating the use of medicinal marijuana for ADHD. Back then, CBD and its healing properties were not well known; hence the focus on traditional medical cannabis. [7]

In recent years, though, CBD oil has become extremely popular. It could be the next big breakthrough for ADHD treatment because it is safer to use than THC. Furthermore, hemp-derived CBD is legal in all 50 states in the U.S.A. and in many countries worldwide. However, while dozens of case studies and anecdotal evidence are available online, rigorous scientific research is still in its nascent stages.

The Role of The Endocannabinoid System with ADHD

According to Dr. Bearman, ADHD could be caused by a lack of cannabinoids within a person’s endocannabinoid system. He calls the effect “a rapid-fire assault” on the cerebral cortex that gives rise to some symptoms associated with ADHD, such as inattention, obsession, and hyperactivity.

Cannabidiol replicates the body’s natural endocannabinoids and may work as a sort of replacement therapy. By returning the cannabinoid balance to normal, CBD may slow the rapid-fire transmissions, thereby allowing the brain more time to process each thought and sensory experience.

Because CBD promotes a functional endocannabinoid system, there are many other ways in which it may help alleviate health issues such as ADHD.

There are many ways in which CBD may help alleviate health issues such as ADHD.

Memory

The endocannabinoid system is closely involved in the formation, protection, and recall of memories. A short-term memory problem is a common trait among people with ADHD. It's natural for them to forget tasks or assignments—or they experience other memory impairment. In an animal study, CBD has shown neuroprotective properties, as well as “cardiac, hemodynamic, and ventilatory beneficial effects.” Theoretically, these could benefit memory recovery. [7] [8]

Anxiety

It's also extremely common for people with ADHD to have some sort of anxiety disorder. The usefulness of CBD oil as an anxiolytic has been well documented. One study investigated the effects of CBD on patients with social anxiety disorder, using functional neuroimaging to observe the underlying brain mechanisms involved. Their conclusion: “These results suggest that CBD reduces anxiety in SAD and that this is related to its effects on activity in limbic and paralimbic brain areas.” [10]

Although the current research is limited, the number of people already using CBD for ADHD is growing, and the anecdotal evidence is compelling, at the very least. CBD oil for ADHD may well be an all-natural alternative, without pharmaceuticals’ harmful side-effect profile, offering benefits far beyond its scope of treatment of ADHD.

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