Medicinal Cannabis and ADHD.
Medicinal Cannabis and ADHD: A Growing Interest in Alternative Treatment
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Characterised by symptoms such as low attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, ADHD can significantly impact the quality of life for both children and adults. While traditional treatments like medications and behavioural therapies have been the usual, there is growing interest in alternative treatments—including medicinal cannabis.
At Medicann, medicinal cannabis can be prescribed to qualifying patients for managing ADHD, and many of our patients, and global research shows that medicinal cannabis has the potential to help manage ADHD. Whilst research is still in its early stages, reports and studies suggest that medical cannabis may offer certain benefits to individuals with ADHD, particularly in managing symptoms like anxiety, impulsivity, and restlessness, and here at Medicann our prescribing Doctors have experience of working with patients with ADHD.
In a recent study featured by Cannabis Health News, it highlighted that ADHD patients found improvement anxiety severity and sleep, with periodical measurement showing a reduced generalised anxiety (GAD-7) score:
50% of patients at 1 month
42.65% at 3 months
39.71% at 6 months
26.47% at 12 months.
How might medicinal cannabis Help ADHD?
Medicinal cannabis contains two primary compounds: cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Both have different effects on the brain and body. For ADHD, medicinal cannabis is often highlighted for its potential therapeutic effects.
Reducing Anxiety and Restlessness
Anxiety is a common symptom of ADHD, and medicinal cannabis’s ability to reduce anxiety may help ADHD patients feel more relaxed and focused, which could lead to better concentration.
Improving Sleep
Many individuals with ADHD struggle with sleep disorders, and poor sleep can heighten symptoms of hyperactivity. Some studies have shown that medicinal cannabis may help improve sleep quality.
Improving focus and attention
While the impact of medicinal cannabis on attention and focus is still under debate, some reports suggest that it may help individuals manage distractions and stay focused for longer periods.
Managing Impulsivity and Hyperactivity
Some ADHD patients have reported that medicinal cannabis has helped reduce their levels of hyperactivity and impulsiveness, allowing them to remain calmer throughout the day.
What else does research say?
In the same study highlighted by Cannabis Health News, researchers also noted a reduction in use of other ADHD medications among the patient group that took part in the study. Prescription of lisdexamfetamine was reduced by 38% during the medicinal cannabis study, and methylphenidate was reduced by 15% and finally dexamfetamine usage was reduced by 14% – all of which can cause negative side-effects, according to the authors.
Is Medicinal Cannabis Right for You?
If you are considering medicinal cannabis as an alternative treatment option for ADHD, the first step would be to book a consultation with a specialist medicinal cannabis doctor at Medicann who will assess your condition alongside an MDT Team to determine your suitability for treatment with medicinal cannabis and guide you through the process.
Medicann treats patients on their medical cannabis journey in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
Click here to check your eligibility and book a FREE consultation.
References:
