
Suffering From ADHD? Cannabis Can Help
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is linked to a lack of concentration and hyperactivity. Some patients may experience severe symptoms such as agitation, irritability, etc. Marijuana has amazing therapeutic properties, which can help manage various conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, etc. There’s scientific evidence that cannabis can be used as a safer alternative to prescription medications. Thus, more patients are applying for 420 medical evaluations to access the herb legally.
How do marijuana’s chemical compounds work? What are the best strains for ADHD patients? How to get medical marijuana recommendations when practicing social distancing is important during the COVID-19 pandemic? Let’s discuss all these topics.
What’s ADHD?
ADHD is a mental health condition, which can lead to hyperactivity and lack of focus. Patients suffering from this condition usually experience aggression, lack of restraint, impulsivity, poor time management, trouble multitasking, anger, mood swings, and boredom. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 5 percent of children in the United States have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
However, what causes ADHD isn’t clear. Some of the risk factors for this condition are—smoking during pregnancy, hypertension, and exposure to PCBs & other environmental toxins.
Medical experts believe that symptoms of ADHD can contribute to various health issues, such as anxiety, chronic stress, substance abuse, etc.
Cannabis For ADHD
To understand how cannabis works for managing ADHD symptoms, let’s first learn about cannabinoids. These are chemical compounds found in the marijuana plant. In the plant, there are more than 100 cannabinoids. However, the two important cannabinoids are-
- THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)- It’s a main psychoactive compound in marijuana. THC is responsible for causing high effects associated with cannabis use.
- CBD (cannabidiol)- It’s a non-psychoactive compound. CBD can help ease pain & inflammation, nausea, migraines, and anxiety.
When you consume cannabis cannabinoids, they stimulate the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). ECS is a complex biological system, which contains endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. The cannabinoids bind to the receptors, thus regulating various bodily functions. These include mood, memory, appetite, and sleep.
There are many medical studies performed to evaluate how exactly ADHD occurs. And, the data and results show that the shortage of dopamine in the brain may play a major role in the development of ADHD. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for cognitive processes such as memory and attention.
Research says that cannabinoids in marijuana can help in correcting the dopamine deficiency in ADHD patients. However, the patients should take appropriate doses and consumption methods to receive maximum benefits from the herb.
Additionally, cannabis can help in managing conditions linked to ADHD. These include anxiety, depression, and stress.
What about cannabis use for children with ADHD? Is it safe?
Well, experts say that potential side-effects associated with marijuana consumption may worsen the condition. This is because the brain of children in the development phase, and cannabis use may result in harmful cognitive effects.
So, you should take professional advice before starting cannabis treatment for managing your child’s ADHD symptoms.
What do Studies Have to Say?
There has been a lot of discussion on whether cannabis helps in managing ADHD symptoms.
A study of 268 different online discussion threads reported that cannabis played a major role in alleviating symptoms of ADHD. According to some schools of thought, lack of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex region of the brain can cause ADHD. Cannabis can accelerate the production of dopamine, thus managing the condition.
A study published in the Nature Journal discussed the effects of THC on the dopamine system. Researchers reported that tetrahydrocannabinol is effective in boosting dopamine levels. This is true for short-term use. However, long-term use can cause negative effects.
Long-term cannabis use may also result in dependence and brain changes. Medical experts believe that patients with ADHD are more likely to develop a cannabis use disorder, which can affect your ability to perform daily tasks. And, children diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to develop this disorder.
Marijuana & ADHD Medications
For managing ADHD symptoms, there are many medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin. These medications work by stimulating dopamine, thus boosting concentration. However, these medications can lead to various side-effects, such as-
- Trouble sleeping
- Appetite loss
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Irritability
- Headaches
Researchers say that stimulant medications have the potential to abuse. So, individuals who have substance use disorder should be very careful when using these medications.
However, marijuana doesn’t cause such risks. It provides natural results. For managing your symptoms effectively, make sure you talk to a licensed doctor to seek professional help for strains, consumption methods, and dosage.
Marijuana Strains For ADHD Patients
At a medical dispensary, you can find a wide range of strains with different levels of THC and CBD. However, to receive maximum health benefits, you should choose the right strains.
Here’s a list of the best cannabis strains to boost focus and managing other Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms-
- Cinex
- Sour Diesel
- Green Crack
- Harle-Tsu
- Harlequin
- True OG
- BlackJack
Applying For 420 Medical Evaluations Online
Medical marijuana is legal in more than 30 states in the United States. However, only patients who hold valid MMJ cards can access state-licensed dispensaries for purchasing cannabis products.
In the coronavirus outbreak when social distancing is important, visiting a cannabis clinic isn’t safe. However, you can talk to a doctor online to apply for 420 medical evaluations hassle-free.
Here’s the complete process to see a doctor through telemedicine-
- Sign up an account
- Talk to a licensed doctor through HIPAA-compliant platform
- Receive your MMJ recommendation letter in PDF via email
Telemedicine is the safest way to get medical marijuana recommendations. There’s no need to go out. Stay at home and practice social distancing to protect yourself from the COVID-19.
Key Takeaways
ADHD patients have limited attention and hyperactivity. Marijuana’s chemical compounds can help in managing ADHD symptoms. When delivered into the body through any method, they bind to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This helps in regulating mood, memory, sleep, and various other bodily functions.
Dopamine deficiency is one of the major causes of the development of ADHD. And, cannabis can help in stimulating dopamine in the brain. Research says that marijuana treatment is effective for the short-term while long-term use may worsen the condition.
For children, marijuana use may cause harm to cognitive processes or other bodily functions. So, it may not be a good choice for ADHD patients under 25. However, if you want to give cannabis treatment to your child who is suffering from ADHD, talk to a medical professional first.
Everyone has a different condition. So, one type of marijuana treatment working for one patient may not work for another. So, before starting cannabis treatment, talk to a licensed doctor to seek professional advice for strains, dosage, etc.
Apply for your 420 medical evaluations online to access cannabis legally in your state today!