Should I Try CBD for ADHD?

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 with attention 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.

What Is CBD Oil, Anyway?

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 is tetrahydrocannabinol (aka THC), and it is the most abundant. It is also the substance responsible for marijuana's psychoactive effects. 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 of THC, it does have an effect on the brain and is associated with some mental health benefits, including potential benefits for people with ADHD.

What Benefits Are We Talking About?

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

• It might be more effective than some other treatments
• It might have fewer side effects than traditional medications
• Anecdotal evidence suggests it may help with ADHD symptoms
• It may have other mental health benefits 

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.

What Do the Experts Have to Say?

So, is CBD oil really effective 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 higher dosage of CBD were 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 for ADHD's Co-Occurring Conditions

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, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social 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. 

Potential 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:

• Appetite changes
• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Mood changes
• Nausea
• Stomach upset

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.

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 the New 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 a cannabis 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 like attention and motivation. Young people who smoke marijuana can also experience lasting detriments to cognitive ability and IQ.

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.

So, Should I Try CBD for ADHD or Not?

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

• It shouldn’t be a substitute for other treatments. While there is evidence that CBD may have mental health uses, this does not mean that it is the best option for the management of ADHD. There are a number of effective treatments currently available for ADHD. Until further evidence demonstrates the usefulness of CBD for this purpose, it might be better to stick to prescribed medications and/or holistic strategies that have a solid track record of effectiveness.
• Just because something is perceived as being more “natural” does not mean it is the best choice. CBD oil appeals to some people because it is seen as a natural product. But it is important to remember that “natural” does not necessarily mean that it will be safe. While CBD oil appears to have few or minor side effects in the short term, researchers still are not sure about its long-term impacts.
• We don’t know if it actually works. The jury is still out on whether CBD might be effective for managing ADHD, and answers won’t become clear until further research is done. 
• CBD oil and other CBD products are not regulated. When you purchase these products, you have no way of knowing if you are getting what you think you are getting. There are no regulations or manufacturing oversight that allow consumers to feel secure about the purity of the products they are purchasing. 

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.

How to Use CBD Oil

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, and vaping oils.

Is CBD Legal?

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 Federal Trade Commission Act prohibits manufacturers from claiming that a product can prevent, treat, or cure a disease unless such claims are backed by reliable scientific studies.

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.