Marijuana and ADHD: Benefits and Risks

Marijuana and ADHD: Benefits and Risks

Marijuana and ADHD might seem like a bad pairing, given that marijuana is often thought of as a substance that causes forgetfulness and lack of focus. However, just like stimulant medications, marijuana works differently on the brains of those who don’t have attention deficit disorder. Among all of the medical uses for marijuana, there is a growing chorus of voices calling for it to be approved as a treatment for ADHD. Are marijuana and ADHD truly compatible – and if so, why?

Is marijuana good for ADHD? As of this writing, there’s no evidence that using marijuana can help with ADHD symptoms. In fact, studies show it can worsen executive function and working memory. These are areas where individuals with ADHD struggle. Neither medical marijuana, nor street marijuana, which is usually stronger and may contain other chemicals, should be used to treat ADHD. It’s also important to know that marijuana may counter the benefits of ADHD medication. And individuals using marijuana are less likely to keep up with their medication.

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What is ADHD?

Traditional Treatments for ADHD

ADHD was first identified in 1902 by pediatrician Sir George Still (who described the disorder as “an abnormal defect of moral control in children”). In the century since, there has been a constant search for a remedy that works consistently. Therapy and medication have emerged as the go-to strategies for parents for children with ADHD, as well as people who struggle with the disorder as adults.

Therapy

For many individuals suffering from ADHD, therapy can be a wonderful treatment. Behavioral therapy can help the person learn how to change certain behaviors, increase their self-control, and boost self-esteem. Meanwhile, family therapy can help loved ones learn how to assist the individual in making these changes.

Medications

Prescription drugs are often paired with therapy in order to address ADHD on the level of brain chemistry. Stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin may provide relief for ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, excessive movement, inability to focus and disorganization.

The side effects of these medications can be frustrating, however. The patient often notices a huge decrease in appetite, stomach pains, headaches, problems sleeping, as well as feeling anxious. This may result in individuals struggling with ADHD deciding to simply put up with the symptoms of ADHD rather than deal with the way prescription drugs make them feel. It’s this situation that sparks many individuals to look into medical marijuana for ADHD in order to provide a balance between the condition and an effective treatment.

Possible Risks of Marijuana Use for People with ADHD

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) published a position statement in 2019 against medical cannabis as medication. Since cannabis is not FDA approved, its use, the APA said, is still unregulated and unbacked by science “for the treatment of any psychiatric disorder.” A 2019 report for Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) presents a concern that cannabis use may pose a particular risk of dependence for folks with ADHD. They say, especially in young ones:

• Long-term (unlike short-term) use of cannabis has been shown to suppress the dopamine system, which is already lacking with ADHD.
• Self-medicating might involve trying to get a dopamine rush that is harder and harder to obtain.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) suggests that teen cannabis users are 4–7 times more likely to develop a dependency than adults.

Dependence in adolescents involves cannabis withdrawal symptoms, such as:

• Sleeplessness
• Irritability
• Memory issues

Given the evidence of folks with ADHD who start using cannabis at a younger age, the likelihood of their developing a dependency is higher than for those without.

Effects of Marijuana vs. ADHD Medications

Does Marijuana Help ADHD Symptoms?

To understand the relationship of marijuana and ADHD symptoms, it’s important to understand the two components of cannabis, which are:

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): THC is a psychoactive component that gives the “high” associated with cannabis. It acts on the areas of the brain that control focus, coordination, and reaction time.
• Cannabidiol (CBD): CBD is a nonpsychoactive component in cannabis and hemp (a type of cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or less THC). It acts on differentareas of the brain and can counteract the effects of THC. CBD has been shown to help regulate brain activity.

When you smoke or consume cannabis, you take in both THC and CBD. That calming factor is the key to using CBD for ADHD, and it has sparked a discussion about its use as an alternative to pharmaceutical ADHD medications. Some adults with the disorder report that vaping CBD delivers a sense of calm and focus that helps them get things accomplished.

For many years, people with ADHD were faced with a daunting choice: struggle with their disorder or deal with the often-unpleasant side effects of stimulant medications. Medical marijuana for ADHD is offering a world of alternatives in terms of effects, strains, and consumption methods. Using CBD for ADHD may provide even more options without the high associated with whole-plant marijuana. However, it being argued that most research on medical marijuana and ADHD treatment is short-sighted (done with small or unrepresentative population samples) and many professional studies have inconclusive, or mixed, results.

ADHD Medical Marijuana, Is it Helpful?

With the increasing legalization of cannabis-based products and prescription “medical marijuana,” attention is turning towards their potential uses for ADHD, often based on anecdotal accounts. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any cannabis-derived products for the treatment of ADHD. The FDA has approved one cannabis-derived product and three cannabis-related products that require prescriptions from a licensed healthcare provider. These products target seizure activity from specific conditions and anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS.

Can you get a medical marijuana for ADHD? General misinformation on marijuana use for ADHD abounds. The questions related to the safety and effectiveness of cannabis-based products deserve good research. There have been media accounts of studies showing positive results, though closer inspection usually reveals that these are from preliminary studies presented as papers at conferences. Such papers have not undergone rigorous peer review for journal publication.

Regarding tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in medical or recreational marijuana use, there is no evidence that THC provides any benefits related to adult ADHD and its use is not recommended for ADHD at any age. Along with CBD, THC is the most common cannabinoid in use. THC is the chemical associated with the “high” commonly associated with marijuana. Apart from the absence of evidence for the therapeutic use of THC, there are many known adverse effects of recreational THC use on brain development that are more pronounced for teens with ADHD that should discourage its use, not to mention the risk for substance use disorders.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers NJ

Drugs like marijuana can alter the dopamine reward system, so being able to stop using marijuana if the habit is problematic is just one part of the recovery process. You must also reprogram deeply entrenched thought patterns to form new positive behaviors.

Some challenges may arise when you attempt to break behaviors, including losing friends, needing to fill your time, and experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Stopping cannabis use has also been known to cause withdrawal, making it difficult to quit completely.

The first step in treatment is detoxification. It will help you navigate the complicated withdrawal process but doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug abuse. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can offer the necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of withdrawals.

Psychotherapy

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of depression, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves making changes in both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression. 
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Person-Centered Therapy – is a strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.