CBD for ADD & ADHD

For those that don’t already know, CBD is a chemical compound that is derived from cannabis plants. In most cases, CBD products are specifically made from hemp plants, because they contain high levels of CBD and low levels of THC. THC is the chemical compound responsible for the high feeling that is commonly associated with marijuana use. CBD does not have these psychoactive properties, and does not get users high like THC does. CBD products come in many forms, including oils, tinctures, or edibles. Finally, CBD has been rumored to reduce anxiety, a common symptom among those who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Because CBD is a relatively new in terms of its legality, there is little long-term scientific research regarding the benefits of CBD use for ADD or ADHD patients specifically. However, word of CBD’s potential benefits, and general lack of negative side effects, has been enough to compel some people to try it for their symptoms. The evidence of this is shown by a large number of online testimonials from people who claim to have used CBD to help alleviate their symptoms for a number of conditions.

Generally speaking, about half of the people who have tried CBD for ADD claim some positives with regard to alleviation of their symptoms. They cite that CBD helps them relax, and feel less manic on average. One 2011 study showed that of a group of 24 people with social anxiety disorder, half who took CBD were able to speak in front of a large audience without incident. Another 2017 study looking at CBD oil and ADHD in adults found that the oil improved some symptoms, but also stated that more studies were needed to confirm these findings. Unfortunately, no single research team has studied the effects of CBD oil for ADHD symptoms specifically on a long-term basis. However, there are multiple studies that show CBD works as a natural anxiolytic, and can help promote a sense of calm in users. Thus, there are many patients whose ADHD symptoms improved after adding CBD to their regimen.

While that seems like great news, it should be noted that some people who took CBD for ADD and ADHD symptoms did not report any changes. This is most likely due to the fact that everyone’s physiological makeup is slightly different. Another potential reason for this lack of consistency could be that CBD users have noticed that different brands of CBD oil work differently for them. This is most likely due to the different strains of cannabis that are used in their creation, or the different extraction and processing methods that are used by various companies.

While CBD may potentially benefit some patients with ADHD, it’s extremely important to talk to your doctor or physician before taking CBD, as it may interact with other medications. User should be especially careful if they are on other medications metabolized through the liver, as CBD is metabolized by the same enzyme in the liver that metabolizes many other medicines and supplements.

Technically speaking, one is doing an experiment on oneself by taking CBD for ADHD without the recommendation of a healthcare professional. Still, this won’t stop some adults with ADHD from self-medicating with cannabis. Many people in this category already report a preference for cannabis over their prescription ADHD medications. Even a small number of doctors and psychiatrists in the US prescribe cannabis medication for ADHD, still some ADHD medications have sedating qualities and there may be additive effects that may not be beneficial. However, usually CBD is well tolerated, and any side effects are generally mild.

It is also important to check CBD product labels to ensure you are getting a pure product, and that you are buying from a reputable source. Many CBD companies have lab test results of their products, giving you a breakdown of exactly what’s in it, including any trace elements, usually down the micro-gram.

Regulations have yet to be made regarding CBD products and their health claims to be evaluated. Practically speaking, a lot of mystery still surrounds CBD, including whether consuming it will be detected in a drug test. Read this comprehensive resource to understand other critical information that concerns marijuana.

In conclusion, despite the lack of long term medical research and scientific studies regarding CBD for the treatment of ADHD, there is a vast amount of anecdotal evidence for CBD use in the treatment of ADHD symptoms and numerous other health conditions. Many people are simply seeking relief from their condition any way they can. CBD provides them with a natural, healthy alternative to prescription drugs without the risk of potentially serious negative side effects, and without having to pay exorbitant amounts of money to doctors and pharmaceutical companies. Despite push back from pharmaceutical companies regarding the use of CBD as a relief supplement for various conditions, one need only check a reliable message board such as Reddit to see the real life testimonials of actual people who have used CBD as a treatment method for their conditions with successful results.

The use of CBD as a treatment method for ADHD symptoms or other conditions may not be right for everyone, but if it manages to help even one person, doesn’t it warrant that further study is needed and should be encouraged? As more evidence comes to light, and more people become aware of the potential benefits of CBD and experience it for themselves, the stigma surrounding cannabis based treatments may begin to fade. Time will tell, but based on current trends it might not be long before CBD is a widely accepted treatment method for ADHD and several other conditions as well.