Should I Try CBD for ADHD?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is CBD Oil, Anyway?What Benefits Are We Talking About?What Do the Experts Have to Say?CBD for ADHD’s Co-Occurring ConditionsPotential Side EffectsSo, Should I Try CBD for ADHD or Not?How to Use CBD OilIs CBD Legal?

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is CBD Oil, Anyway?

What Benefits Are We Talking About?

What Do the Experts Have to Say?

CBD for ADHD’s Co-Occurring Conditions

Potential Side Effects

So, Should I Try CBD for ADHD or Not?

How to Use CBD Oil

Is CBD Legal?

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Cannabidiol (CBD)is a compound found in cannabis that is purported to have a number of mental health effects. This has led many people to speculate that it might also have potential benefits for those withattention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).

Before you decide to try it, it is important to learn more about what CBD oil is, what the research says about what it can do, and what benefits and side effects it might have for managing symptoms of ADHD.

At a Glance

CBD oil is derived from the marijuana plant. CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant and mixed with a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil. Studies suggest it appears to be relatively safe and well-tolerated, although further research is needed to examine the possible long-term effects.

The cannabis plant contains hundreds of different compounds. The best known of these istetrahydrocannabinol(aka THC), and it is the most abundant. It is also the substance responsible for marijuana’spsychoactiveeffects. In other words, THC is what causes people to experience the euphoric high associated with marijuana use.

CBD, on the other hand, is the second most abundant cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Although it will not cause the high reminiscent ofTHC, it does have an effect on the brain and is associated with some mental health benefits, including potential benefits for people with ADHD.

CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference?

Some people who advocate for the use of CBD oil for ADHD suggest that:

Part of the appeal of using CBD oil may be to avoid some of the side effects that are associated with traditional ADHD treatments.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that between 70 and 80% of kids who have ADHD experience an improvement in symptoms after taking stimulant ADHD medication, they can cause side effects, including sleep issues, decreased appetite, and mood changes.

Before you decide to try CBD oil to treat ADHD, it is important to consider the available research. Most importantly, you should always talk to your doctor before you try any alternative remedies.

So, is CBD oilreallyeffective for the management of ADHD? Interest in the use of CBD has largely outpaced the research into its uses, safety, and effectiveness.

While some proponents have made a number of claims, the truth is that research on the use of CBD as an aid for ADHD is extremely limited. Most of what researchers already know stems from research on the use of smoked or ingested marijuana and not directly on the effects of CBD oil or other CBD products.

Even the available studies on the use of marijuana in the management of ADHD are very limited. Many of these studies also rely on self-reported data, which does not provide as much support as a randomized clinical trial.

CBD May Reduce Hyperactivity

A 2013 study looked at cannabis use and ADHD subtypes. The data collected from more than 2,800 participants found that people were more likely to self-report hyperactive-impulsive symptoms when they were not self-medicating with cannabis.This suggests that people who use marijuana to self-treat may find relief from hyperactivity and impulsivity.

CBD May Help With ADHD

One small 2017 randomized controlled trial found that adults with ADHD who’ve taken the cannabinoid medication Sativex (which contains THC and CBD) showed a minor reduction in ADHD symptoms with no cognitive impairments.However, it is important to note that these improvements were small and were not enough to demonstrate that cannabinoids were significantly more effective than treatment with a placebo.

A 2020 study found that higher doses of medical cannabis were associated with a decreased use of ADHD medication in adults.The products containing a higherdosage of CBDwere associated with lower ADHD scores.

Further Research Is Needed

While such results suggest that cannabis and cannabinoid compounds have promise for benefiting ADHDers, they don’t indicate that CBD oil on its own might have an impact. Further research is also needed to determine the role that the endocannabinoid system plays in ADHD.

CBD has shown promise as a potential treatment for a number of mental health conditions, so it might be helpful for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in people who also have ADHD.

While further research is needed to explore CBD’s effects, some studies have shown that it can be effective in reducing symptoms of a number of anxiety conditions, includinggeneralized anxiety disorder,panic disorder, andsocial anxiety disorder.CBD has also been found to have an antidepressant-like effect, which may make it useful in the treatment of depression.

It is important to be aware that much of this research is still in the early stages. More work needs to be done to explore the effects of CBD, what conditions it may treat, and what doses may be the most effective.

If you are thinking of taking CBD, you should also be aware that while it is usually well-tolerated, it may lead to some side effects.

CBD oil may cause a number of side effects. Although many of these symptoms are mild, it’s important to note some of the common complaints:

Side effects may be more common at higher doses, although research suggests that CBD appears to be safe and well-tolerated at doses up to 1,500 mg per day.It is also important to note that CBD can impact the metabolism of certain medications.

While CBD oil does not have psychoactive properties, it may also contain small amounts of THC, which could potentially exacerbate some ADHD traits.

In addition to the most common side effects, there are also concerns about the potential worsening of some ADHD traits. Some of the effects associated with marijuana use are also common traits of ADHD.

Memory and Attention Impairments

In an article published in theNew England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), points out many of the potential negative side effects of marijuana use.Among these are impaired attention and memory, which can be long-term and worsen with chronic cannabis use.

Potential Risk of Cannabis Misuse

Another concern is that ADHD can be a risk factor for drug and alcohol misuse. Having impulsive characteristics may cause people to be more likely to misuse cannabis or develop acannabis use disorder. This presents concerns when it comes to using cannabis or cannabis-related products in the management of ADHD.

Impairments on Cognitive Ability

Whether the use of CBD oil might contribute to later marijuana use remains unknown. However, marijuana can potentially have negative effects on things likeattentionandmotivation. Young people who smoke marijuana can also experience lasting detriments to cognitive ability andIQ.

Potential Increased Risk of Liver Damage

Some research suggests that very high doses may pose a risk of liver damage. In a study where mice were given very high doses of CBD, researchers observed that there was an increased risk for liver toxicity. Of course, more research is needed to determine if these same risks apply to humans.

What Are the Side Effects of CBD?

Before you consider trying CBD for ADHD, here are some important things to remember:

There are different types of CBD oil to choose from, and it is unclear which CBD products might be helpful in the treatment of ADHD. These types vary depending on what they contain. CBD oil isolate contains only CBD. Broad-spectrum products contain CBD as well as other cannabinoids, but not THC. On the other hand, full-spectrum products contain CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids.

Some research has found that CBD may play a role in counteracting some of the negative side effects associated with THC.

If you decide to try CBD oil for ADHD or other reasons, it is important to purchase it from reputable sources. Products containing CBD are frequently mislabeled, and since there is no federal regulation over these products, it is difficult to know exactly what you are getting.

There is also no research comparing the effects of different forms of CBD. In addition to being available as an oil, CBD can also be purchased as capsules, gummies, sprays, tinctures, candies, beverages, andvaping oils.

While CBD is growing in popularity, its legal status varies depending on where you live. All states permit CBD, but many have restrictions based on the THC levels found in the product. It is important to note that while many states have passed laws legalizing CBD and other cannabis products, any product containing more than 0.3% THC is illegal according to federal law.

The FDA has also issued warnings about companies illegally selling unapproved CBD products boasting unsupported claims about their effectiveness in the treatment of ADHD and other conditions including Alzheimer’s disease and autism.

The FDA warns that consumers should be wary of such claims.“This is especially concerning when companies are peddling unproven CBD products for use in vulnerable populations like infants and children,” explained FDA Acting Commissioner Ned Sharpless, MD.

What This Means For YouWhile CBD oil and other CBD products may show promise for ADHD management, there simply is not enough evidence to support using it. If you do decide to try it, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider first. They will be able to suggest the most effective and safest ways to help you better manage your traits according to your lifestyle.

What This Means For You

While CBD oil and other CBD products may show promise for ADHD management, there simply is not enough evidence to support using it. If you do decide to try it, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider first. They will be able to suggest the most effective and safest ways to help you better manage your traits according to your lifestyle.

Can CBD Oil Relieve Anxiety?

13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Food and Drug Administration.FDA, FTC warn company marketing unapproved cannabidiol products with unsubstantiated claims to treat teething and ear pain in infants, autism, ADHD, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

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