Can Cannabis Help With ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects 11% of school-aged children and an estimated 4.4% of adults.

ADHD is characterized by an inability to sit still, trouble focusing, and impulsive behavior. Because cannabis (Cannabis sativa) has been linked to relaxation, many people are curious whether the medicinal herb can be helpful in managing ADHD symptoms.

The research on whether cannabis can provide short-term relief of hyperactivity in people with ADHD is mixed. And researchers are still trying to learn more about cannabis and ADHD. Here’s what you should know about the effects of cannabis on people with ADHD. 

How Cannabis Could Help With ADHD Symptoms 

To understand how cannabis might provide relief for ADHD symptoms, it’s important to understand the two components of cannabis, which are:

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): THC is a psychoactive component that gives the “high” associated with cannabis. It acts on the areas of the brain that control focus, coordination, and reaction time.
• Cannabidiol (CBD): CBD is a nonpsychoactive component in cannabis and hemp (a type of cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or less THC). It acts on different areas of the brain and can counteract the effects of THC. CBD has been shown to help regulate brain activity.

When you smoke or consume cannabis, you take in both THC and CBD. 

Cannabis for ADHD: What Research Says

There isn’t much research on using cannabis for ADHD because federal research on cannabis has been restricted by the drug’s schedule 1 status (drugs not currently accepted for medical use that have a potential for abuse). However, the research that is available gives a mixed answer to the question of can cannabis help with ADHD, including: 

• A small 2020 study of 112 adult patients with ADHD who used medical cannabis found that those who took a higher dose of medical cannabis components, like CBD, took fewer other ADHD medications.
• A 2019 medical review of 83 studies found that there was “scant” and “insufficient” evidence on the effectiveness of cannabis to treat mental health conditions, including ADHD.
• A 2021 study of 1,700 students found that those with ADHD self-reported that using cannabis improved their ADHD symptoms and lessened their side effects from their ADHD medication.
• A 2016 study that analyzed online posts mentioning cannabis and ADHD found that 25% of those posts stated a positive impact of cannabis on ADHD symptoms, as opposed to 8% that said it was harmful.

More research is needed to determine if cannabis can have benefits for adults with ADHD. However, at this time, most states with medical cannabis programs do not include ADHD as a qualifying condition for getting a license. 

Cannabis and Kids

Although ADHD is most often diagnosed in children, cannabis should not be used by most young people. Even states with recreational cannabis laws don’t allow people under 21 years old to purchase or consume cannabis. Medical cannabis programs for children are extremely limited, and ADHD is not a qualifying condition. 

Using Cannabis With ADHD Medications 

There’s limited research on how cannabis interacts with ADHD medications, such as Adderall (dextroamphetamine-amphetamine). A small 2015 study of adults without ADHD found that when Adderall and marijuana were taken together, they produced unique effects (neither positive nor negative) compared with either medication taken alone.

If you’re on ADHD medications, it’s important that you be upfront and honest with your healthcare provider about your cannabis use. Cannabis use is becoming mainstream and is legal in some places. Your healthcare provider can help you understand the benefits and risks of using cannabis with ADHD medications. 

Cannabis Effects by Strain Type 

Some people believe that different strains of cannabis produce different effects. Strains are different varieties of the cannabis plant. Common marketing distinguishes between these two strains:

• Sativa is believed to energize.
• Indica is believed to have calming and pain-reducing effects.

However, research shows the differences between strains are not necessarily accurate. The effects of cannabis are dictated by its levels of THC and CBD, with each having different effects on the brain and body. Most Indica strains are thought to have a higher proportion of CBD, which lends them their calming effects.

Most research in favor of cannabis for ADHD shows benefits of CBD, so you may want to choose a cannabis strain with a higher proportion of CBD (such as an Indica product) or try CBD oil (or other CBD-only product) instead of cannabis. 

When Does Cannabis Use Become a Substance Use Disorder?

About 30% of people who use cannabis will develop a substance use disorder. A substance use disorder occurs when substance use begins to interfere with a person’s day-to-day functioning.

Research shows that CBD alone, without THC, is not addictive. So, if you are concerned about developing a substance use disorder, you may want to choose a product with only CBD as opposed to both CBD and THC. 

Summary

There’s little research on whether cannabis can help with ADHD. The research that exists is mixed: Some studies have found that cannabis can help with ADHD symptoms, while others conclude there is insufficient evidence to make that conclusion.

In most cases, ADHD doesn’t qualify for state medical cannabis programs, and cannabis should never be used to treat ADHD in people under age 21. It's best to have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider about using cannabis if you have ADHD. 

A Word From Verywell

It’s normal to wonder whether cannabis can treat your ADHD symptoms. Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer. Luckily, researchers are continuing to explore the medical potential of cannabis. Hopefully, within a few years, we’ll have a better idea of the impact of marijuana on people with ADHD.