Using CBD for ADHD

Christine Bell • January 4, 2019 • About CBD, Conditions

“It’s like opening 100 tabs in your browser at once and trying to do something different in each one at the same time. Then someone walks up and wants to have a conversation.” That’s how one commenter on the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder Facebook page describes what it feels like to live with ADHD. Today, we’re going to talk about using CBD for ADHD.

About CBD for ADHD

What the claims are: CBD oil can reduce or eliminate the effects of ADHD, and give those suffering from this condition their lives back.

What the studies show: Not much, to be frank. There have been some studies on cannabis for ADHD, but there just isn’t enough data on using isolated CBD oil for ADHD to get a clear grasp of its full effects, if any.

What the facts say: Until more controlled, clinical studies on CBD for ADHD are completed, we are left to rely on user experience to help guide us. Many users are reporting that they’re finding relief by adding a CBD regimen to their health care routine.

What is ADHD?

The acronym ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is a chronic condition that affects an estimated 6.1 million people in the US alone. ADHD typically presents in children but can often continue through adulthood. This condition can cause a host of problems, including forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, lack of impulse control, inability to sit still, and hyperactivity.

Children suffering from ADHD can also experience lower self-esteem, difficulty forming and maintaining friendships and, oftentimes, struggles with schoolwork. While these symptoms can lessen with age, some people never completely grow out of them and often have to learn coping mechanisms to deal with the day-to-day struggles they experience.

There is no known cure for ADHD, but there are several treatment options. Behavioral therapy can help both children and their parents manage by teaching both parties coping strategies and methods for alleviating the worst of their symptoms. There are also medications, both stimulant and non-stimulant varieties, that can be used to treat those afflicted with ADHD.

How can using CBD for ADHD help?

Some people using CBD oil to treat their ADHD are reporting life-altering results, including the ability to focus, an increase in productivity, mental clarity, and a sense of calm and well-being. Parents and adult family members can be found attributing CBD for children’s improved behavioral issues, better grades, and a happier disposition. All without negative side-effects.

Others have found that they were even able to move away from prescription medication altogether by adopting a CBD regimen, with excellent results.

It also bears mentioning that there are people who have tried CBD for ADHD and experienced minimal or no beneficial result. In order to get the most optimal outcome, we urge you followed the suggested regimen as closely as you can and be sure to select quality products. It’s also important for us to note that there still isn’t a lot of information on the potential long-term effects of CBD for ADHD. This isn’t the right path for everyone and is a decision that should be made with your doctor’s agreement and approval.

Due to the lack of clinical studies up to now, we only have anecdotal evidence to report regarding the use of CBD for ADHD. In time, we hope to have more hard data to share with you on this topic.

What are the concerns or downsides of using CBD for ADHD?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a study that shows no adverse health issues attributed to CBD use in general. Another review of the clinical data indicates a favorable safety profile for CBD. This is in stark contrast to the serious potential side-effects of the most commonly prescribed medications known to treat symptoms of ADHD, some of which include:

Irregular or fast heartbeat
Decreased appetite
Bladder pain
Painful urination
Lower back or side pain

While some users of CBD for ADHD do report lethargy, diarrhea, and change in appetite, studies have shown that using CBD oil has very few potential side effects and negative reactions are rare. Researchers have also noted that the cannabinoid alone wouldn’t be to blame in the case of most side-effects and that “reported adverse effects may be as a result of drug-drug interactions between CBD and patients’ existing medications.”

There is also a chance that, no matter how diligent you are about taking it, CBD for ADHD might not help your symptoms. Make sure you check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking CBD for ADHD to ensure that you aren’t taking any medications known to interact with CBD.

Can using CBD for ADHD help alleviate my symptoms?

There’s no doubt that ADHD is a challenging condition to manage, especially in children. With the many potential side-effects of the medications used to treat the symptoms of this disorder, it might be worth looking into CBD for ADHD, especially because of the ample anecdotal evidence that suggests it may be effective. However, it bears repeating that studies are limited, and, as always, you should consult with your primary care physician before making changes to your healthcare routine.