CBD and ADHD — to some, it may sound like a bunch of incoherent letters. To others, it describes a natural remedy gaining traction for a variety of symptoms. And, of course, the latter is a condition that can cause significant difficulty for individuals affected. Whatever your connection is to either of these acronyms, we’ll discuss the connection CBD and ADHD have to each other. That is, cannabidiol, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
ADHD symptoms and studies
First, let’s discuss two of the predominant symptoms of ADHD — hyperactivity and restlessness. Hyperactivity and restlessness cause a lack of focus and poor productivity. Think about it. If the wheels in your brain are constantly firing at full tilt, you won’t be very productive. You may feel energetic, but you’ll be scattered. Below, we discuss the official definition of ADHD. And, finally, we’ll cover a few relevant studies.
What is ADHD?
According to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder’s website (CHADD), ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 11 percent of school-age children. In more than 75 percent of cases, symptoms continue into adulthood. ADHD is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
What studies have shown
In this study from European Neuropsychopharmacology, cannabis as a whole, not just CBD, showed some promise as a way to reduce unwanted symptoms of ADHD. What the study did indicate, too, is that doctors give some special pardon to cannabis as a treatment for many patients despite a lack of evidence. This study also mentioned Sativex, one of two FDA-approved drugs containing cannabinoids for epilepsy.
When consulting official resources from CHADD, we see that they view the “positive” results as too big of a leap. In fact, the organization concedes that more research needs to be done. This is, of course, not off base whatsoever. However, you’ll see that this article was posted prior to the FDA approval of cannabis drugs for epilepsy, mentioned above.
Also found among CHADD resources, it can be seen that cannabis use among adolescents (before the age of 16) resulted in poor cognitive function and development. Of course, this is far different than a properly formulated cannabinoid-based medicine that could arise from further research.
Placebo effect may be at play
When we examine resources from Medical News Today, we’re hit with a topic we discussed prior in relation to CBD — the placebo effect. Referencing the same study above, it’s apparent that patients self-medicating with cannabis may have experienced improvements due to placebo.
This resource also sites other instances of CBD addressing symptoms like anxiety and poor sleep. Of course, if CBD can limit these symptoms, an overarching condition, like ADHD, can improve, too.
The future of CBD and ADHD
The future of CBD and ADHD is uncertain. Just about every authority on the matter discusses the need for more research. However, this does not mean the outlook is poor. In fact, as we’ve discussed, the placebo effect may not be all bad, either. As long as you keep your doctor in the loop about your decision to use CBD, you shouldn’t run into any issues. You may find a CBD product that works well for you and your specific concerns. And, of course, there are plenty of others to discover thereafter.
