By Michelle Diston - Certified Cannabis Coach

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, restlessness, emotional instability, and sometimes anxiety. These symptoms can significantly impact an individual's daily functioning, making it challenging to navigate through various aspects of life. Many adults with ADHD, including myself, have gravitated to Cannabis and have found daily benefits (1), including more focus, less anxiety, and a relaxed nervous system. While medications are commonly prescribed for managing ADHD symptoms, their effectiveness and tolerability vary among individuals. (2)  This raises the question: Is Cannabis a better treatment for ADHD than traditional medication?

Navigating ADHD Treatment: Exploring Cannabis as an Alternative

Stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate, amphetamine-based drugs) and non-stimulants (e.g., atomoxetine, guanfacine) are often prescribed to manage ADHD symptoms. However, medication adherence rates are low due to the adverse events commonly experienced, ranging from insomnia and decreased appetite to more severe side effects like cardiovascular complications and mood changes. This reality prompts many individuals to seek alternative treatments, including Cannabis. (3)

While some people may prefer using Cannabis over traditional ADHD medications due to concerns about side effects, it is essential to recognize that there are many components to Cannabis and the main concern with heavy and early Cannabis use is focused on THC only. Uneducated consumers may experience adverse effects while still feeling immediate relief.

Balanced and intentional use, as well as integrating other phytocannabinoids, like cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG), have shown many beneficial results.

Understanding the Endocannabinoid System and ADHD

Understanding the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is crucial in assessing the potential of Cannabis as a treatment for ADHD. The ECS plays a vital role in cognitive function, motor coordination, and emotional homeostasis, in addition to the regulation of dopaminergic pathways in the brain, all of which are implicated in ADHD. By modulating the ECS, Cannabis can influence cognitive function, mood regulation, and attention, potentially alleviating ADHD symptoms. The ECS sets an overall tone of safety in the body so that people can rest, learn new things with focus, relax, eat, and evolve.

Exploring Cannabinoids and Terpenes

There is never a one-size-fits-all approach to working with Cannabis for any condition, similar to how some people respond to stimulant or non-stimulant medications. Finding what works for each individual while intentionally seeking relief is how a Cannabis coach can be of service. Cannabis, with its various cannabinoids like delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabigerol (CBG), and more, has gained attention for its potential therapeutic effects on ADHD symptoms. CBD has been shown to be effective in calming things down in the brain. It can help reduce feelings of anxiety (4) and lift your mood, acting as a natural stress-reliever and mood-booster. THC can help calm down overactive signals between brain cells, boost the body’s defense against inflammation, and even strengthen the connections between brain cells.

ADHD is often associated with dysregulation of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in attention, motivation, and reward processing. Preliminary research suggests that cannabinoids like CBG (5) may influence dopamine levels in the brain, potentially helping to modulate attention and hyperactivity in individuals with ADHD.

Some studies suggest that CBG may have neuroprotective properties, which could potentially benefit individuals with ADHD by supporting overall brain health and function. CBG has been studied for its potential anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and stress-relieving effects, which could indirectly benefit ADHD symptoms (6) by promoting a calmer state of mind and reducing distractions. It is a known anti-inflammatory and is known for helping with attention and focus.

Common terpenes (7) that are beneficial to ADHD include limonene (mood boost), pinene (alertness), myrcene (relaxation and anxiety relief), linalool (reduce stress, promote focus), beta-caryophyllene (promote a sense of well-being), and terpinolene (promote relaxation and a sense of calm). 

Adding a daily ritual of dry-herb vaporizing, a mix of THC (with limonene, myrcene, and pinene terpenes, CBD, and CBG) with my morning yoga and meditation has increased my focus and calmed anxious, overactive thoughts, giving me a day that I can navigate with ease and high energy.

Promoting Safe Cannabis Use: Implementing Harm Reduction Strategies 

Educating individuals about harm reduction strategies, such as avoiding high-potency products, using Cannabis in safer consumption methods like dry herb vaporization instead of smoking, and being mindful of dosage and frequency, can mitigate potential adverse effects. And as always, start low and go slow.

However, a significant challenge is that many people self-medicate with Cannabis without proper education or guidance. This often leads to individuals not discussing their Cannabis use with their doctors, resulting in a lack of professional oversight and potential interactions with other medications or health conditions going unnoticed.

This is where Cannabis coaches and educators become crucial. Coaches and educators provide personalized support, helping individuals understand their endocannabinoid system and the impact of Cannabis on their health. They empower users with knowledge about safe consumption practices, dosage control, and how to integrate Cannabis use into their overall wellness plan without the stigma that sometimes comes with talking about your Cannabis use with your doctor. By fostering open communication and providing accurate information, coaches and educators bridge the gap between self-medicating and informed, safe use, ultimately promoting better health outcomes and a more comprehensive approach to wellness.

Everybody has a different endocannabinoid tone based on genetics, health factors, and their environment. A Cannabis coach takes this into consideration while working with each individual. When a coach works with a client, they are looking for a client's minimal effective dose and will often combine multiple cannabinoids and slowly titrate up to find this range. Depending on the client's targeted symptom they may choose to smoke or vaporize for immediate relief, or use oil, capsules, or edibles for prolonged effects, and any combination of the aforementioned. This allows the body to adjust and find balance with fewer or no adverse side effects and maintain a healthy relationship to this plant medicine.

Empowering Through Education: The Balanced Approach to Cannabis Therapy

The key lies in education and a balanced approach to Cannabis use. Cannabis is biphasic, meaning at lower doses it works in different ways than the high doses. Cannabis health coaches and educators offer valuable support and guidance in navigating the complexities of Cannabis therapy. By understanding how different cannabinoids interact with the ECS and tailoring treatment plans to individual needs, Cannabis can be integrated effectively into ADHD symptom management. Finding the minimum effective dose by starting low and going slow can help people find their ideal dose for daily maintenance of a balanced endocannabinoid system.

In conclusion, Cannabis use for ADHD is a multifaceted subject that warrants careful consideration and informed decision-making. By prioritizing education, embracing a balanced approach, and seeking guidance from qualified professionals, like Cannabis health coaches and educators, individuals with ADHD can explore the potential benefits of Cannabis as part of their treatment regimen while mitigating potential risks.

Cannabis is a plant that deserves respect. Let’s empower individuals to make well-informed choices in managing their ADHD symptoms while destigmatizing therapeutic treatment.

Michelle Diston is a Cannabis Health Coach who has navigated depression and ADHD with the help of Cannabis. If you would like to work with Michelle or any of our other qualified Cannabis Coaches and Educators listed in the ECN directory.

References:

 1. Hergenrather, Jeffrey  Y., et al. Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Doses Are Associated with Adult ..., Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, Jan. 2020, www.rmmj.org.il/userimages/1036/1/PublishFiles/1038Article.pdf.

 2. Cortese, Samuele et al. “Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.” The lancet. Psychiatry vol. 5,9 (2018): 727-738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4

3. Ittiphakorn, Pim et al.  “UK Medical Cannabis Registry: An Analysis of Clinical Outcomes of Medicinal Cannabis Therapy for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.” Https://Onlinelibrary.Wiley.Com/, 6 Dec. 2023, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/npr2.12400. 

4. Gundugurti, Prasad Rao et al. “Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nanodispersible cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/mL) versus placebo in mild to moderate anxiety subjects: A double blind multicenter randomized clinical trial.” Asian journal of psychiatry, vol. 97 104073. 18 May. 2024, doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104073

5. “What Is Cannabigerol and Why Should I Care?” Thomaston Feed Online, thomastonfeed.com/blogs/news/what-is-cannabigerol-cbg-why-should-you-care#:~:text=Other%20benefits%20of%20CBG%20include,glaucoma%2C%20cancer%2C%20and%20MR. Accessed 3 June 2024. 

6. Russo, Ethan B et al. “Survey of Patients Employing Cannabigerol-Predominant Cannabis Preparations: Perceived Medical Effects, Adverse Events, and Withdrawal Symptoms.” Cannabis and cannabinoid research vol. 7,5 (2022): 706-716. doi:10.1089/can.2021.0058

7.  Russo, Ethan B. “Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects.” British journal of pharmacology vol. 163,7 (2011): 1344-64. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x

About Michelle Diston:

Michelle Diston has always believed that you can heal yourself naturally. Through years of her own personal research and determination, she learned how to manage Candida with Cannabis and nutrition. She was able to wean completely off 20 years of antidepressants and overcome the underlying traumas that were hiding behind the meds with intentional and targeted Cannabis use. Her journey has inspired her passion to help others. She has become a Certified Cannabis Health Coach and Educator and is one of the founding members of the Effective Cannabis Newsletter.

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Effective Cannabis Newsletter is a platform to educate on the vital role of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in one's health. The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information contained in or available through this newsletter is for general information purposes only. It is not medical advice; it is health awareness.