While conventional medications help control the symptoms, the side effects of long-term use of these drugs can be pretty scary. In some scenarios, these drugs can also contribute to the worsening of the condition.
Today, a growing number of patients and caregivers are using CBD for ADHD. Although scientists are working to clarify the benefits, many individuals suffering from ADHD find that this cannabinoid can help control ADHD symptoms.
But can CBD oil for ADHD really help? Is it the solution for ADHD?
What is ADHD?
ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is estimated to affect up to 3% of the human population. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that starts in childhood, and this disorder can persist into adulthood and impact one’s personal, social, and professional life.
Thankfully, most cases of ADHD improve with age, and often the symptoms become more controllable and tolerable.
ADHD Types and Symptoms
There are three main types of ADHD:
- Inattentive ADHD – This is characterized by the inability to focus, pay attention, and follow instructions. It is often characterized as being ‘easily distracted’ by things.
- Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD – This is the least common type and is characterized by impulsiveness, hyperactive behaviors, and restlessness.
- Combined type – This is the most common type of ADHD and has the symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.
ADHD in adults is frequently accompanied by other health problems such as anxiety disorder, personality disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, antisocial behavior, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
What Causes ADHD?
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but there are several factors that can contribute to its development, the most common one of which is genetics. Studies have shown that children with ADHD often have a close family member with the same disorder.
Other causes of ADHD include changes in brain structure and neurotransmitter levels, resulting in brain function abnormalities. Premature birth and low birth weight are also contributing factors.
How Does ADHD Differ From ADD And Autism?
ADHD and autism are frequently used interchangeably. Although these disorders share many similar symptoms, they are separate conditions and have their own distinct features.
In ADHD, the individual has difficulty focusing on a task. They are easily distracted and find it difficult to pay attention to what they’re supposed to be doing.
Somewhat opposite, in autism, the individual focuses on things and tasks that they love doing, but have some difficulty in paying attention or focusing on tasks they don’t want to do.
ADD or attention deficit disorder, on the other hand, is simply an outdated term that used to describe the inattentive type of ADHD.
CBD and ADHD
As mentioned earlier, more and more people are finding CBD drops for ADHD useful. Despite the limited number of CBD and ADHD studies, people find this cannabinoid very beneficial in managing their symptoms.
What is CBD?
CBD is a type of cannabinoid produced by the cannabis and hemp plants. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t make people high nor increase dependence or addiction risks. Consuming CBD doesn’t provide any psychoactive effects, which is why this cannabinoid is safer for use in children.
CBD is extracted from the plants using a safe and sterile method, known as the supercritical CO2 extraction process. This method can also be used to separate CBD from the rest of the cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils, and other organic matter, commonly found in the plants. Thus, with supercritical CO2 extraction method we can obtain full spectrum extract or CBD Isolate.
CBD comes in many forms – creams, tinctures, soft gel capsules, topical balms, and even suppositories. The most common of all, though, is CBD oil.
The Endocannabinoid System
A quick biology lesson. Are you ready?
Our cells have receptors that, when activated, regulate all the functions of the body – sleep, hunger, movement, sensation, emotions, mood, memory, fear, anxiety, breathing, and many more.
These receptors effectively ‘listen’ to what’s happening inside of the body and help to issue a response in return. Feeling hungry? That’s your endocannabinoid system at work.
The primary function of the endocannabinoid system is to promote balance and homeostasis.
Now, one of the factors that cause ADHD is an imbalance in neurotransmitters. This neurotransmitter imbalance causes some problems with how the brain normally functions and results in some common ADHD symptoms.
How does CBD help with ADHD?
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system. In a way, CBD helps the endocannabinoid system normalize the abnormal neurotransmitter level and help improve brain function.
There is a hypothesis that the use of CBD treatment for ADHD may help relieve some of its associated symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. CBD acts as a calmative and can help reduce these symptoms.
Additionally, CBD also has properties that may help curb impulsivity and hyperactivity.
What do the studies say?
Although CBD and ADHD research studies are somewhat lacking, what we do have, shows promising results.
One study, in particular, involved 30 adults suffering from ADHD, each of whom were given a medical cannabis oromucosal spray. They reported an improvement in their symptoms, especially when it came to impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Another study worth noting involved 53 individuals, with ages ranging between 4 and 22 years old. While taking CBD, participants reported a reduction in self-injury behaviors, rage attacks, as well as hyperactivity. There was also an improvement in their sleep habit and anxiety problems.
CBD versus conventional medications, which is better?
Conventional medications do help control ADHD symptoms, but they can also produce many unwanted side effects. Some of these include gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and constipation, appetite loss, weight loss, changes in mood and behavior, nausea, lethargy, headaches, and dizziness.
Long-term use also increases the risk of developing seizures and heart problems like hypertension and an irregular heartbeat. These drugs can also increase the risk of developing dependence and addiction.
Of course, CBD also has its own side effects. It can cause dry mouth and dry eye sensations and can work to reduce appetite, and may lead to bouts of diarrhea.
However, these symptoms do dissipate over time, especially once the body gets used to the presence of CBD. Moreover, these CBD side effects are often well-tolerated by users.
So CBD is the magical cure?
With CBD having fewer and often milder side effects, does this mean then that CBD can already replace conventional children and adult ADHD medications? By itself, does CBD treat ADHD without the use of other drugs?
The short answer is no.
CBD is not the cure-all medicine for illnesses, disorders, and diseases. It should not replace conventional medications for ADHD, even if it does have properties that can address some of the symptoms. Most importantly, you should never experiment with CBD for ADHD on your own, especially if it’s for a child.
If you want to use CBD for ADHD, it’s always best to consult with your primary care physician first. They can help you with the correct CBD oil ADHD dosage or refer you to a medical cannabis doctor who can help you find the best CBD for ADHD.
How Do You Use CBD For ADHD?
Most CBD oil manufacturers recommend taking at least one full dropper for symptom control. Place the CBD oil under the tongue for about two minutes and then swallow. The effects are typically felt after about 15 minutes to half an hour.
If you’re new to CBD, you might want to try micro-dosing first. Simply put, this means taking a low dose (half a dropper, for example) first and staying on this dose for at least three to five days. If you did not notice any significant improvement in your symptoms, then you can increase your dosage, or lower the dosage if you developed some adverse side effects.
Medical cannabis is a sort of personalized treatment. You have to listen to your body as it adjusts to the presence of CBD. You’ll go through a trial and error period until you find a CBD ADHD dosage that works very well in relieving your ADHD symptoms.
Where Can I Buy CBD For Use With ADHD?
There are many CBD products in the market nowadays, some of which are of very low quality. So you need to choose the CBD oil or tincture wisely. It was one of the reasons Hempika decided to enter into the market, driven by a passion for providing high-quality, medical-grade CBD products.
It’s essential to check the website of the manufacturer and read the laboratory test of their CBD oil products. A good manufacturer should have the cannabinoid analysis report of their CBD posted on their website.
In addition, you should also check customer reviews and feedback about the particular product. You can also ask for recommendations about good CBD for ADD and ADHD from your relatives and friends or join cannabis forums and social media platforms that talk about cannabis.
All of our products are highly rated, sold worldwide, and comply with all necessary regulations for your added peace of mind.
Is CBD A Safe ADHD Treatment For Children?
Consuming CBD doesn’t significantly affect our physiological functions and won’t cause changes in our heart rate, breathing pattern, temperature, and blood pressure.
According to the World Health Organization, CBD has a good safety profile, and it is also well-tolerated by users. Their CBD report has even cited the effectiveness of CBD on children with intractable, treatment-resistant epilepsy.
Although CBD oil is safe to consume, we always emphasize the importance of consulting with your doctor first before treating ADHD with CBD, especially if it’s for a child.
Hempika CBD and ADHD
CBD can help relieve some ADHD symptoms. Although we lack specific studies on CBD for ADHD, we already have a good number of research studies and clinical trials that show CBD can help relieve several symptoms, some of which can be found in ADHD.
If you’re looking for tried and tested CBD products, including oils, balms, drops, and even tea, Hempika is a wise choice.
Author: B. D.
Source(s):
- https://www.adhd-institute.com/burden-of-adhd/epidemiology/
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/causes/
- https://www.coleparmer.com/tech-article/supercritical-co2-extraction-method
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24923339/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28576350/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30687090/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/
- https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf