Cannabis Improves Symptoms of ADHD

Jacob Bell

New Member
Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by attention deficits and an altered activation level. The purpose of this case investigation was to highlight that people with ADHD can benefit in some cases from the consumption of THC. A 28-year old male, who showed improper behaviour and appeared to be very maladjusted and inattentive while sober, appeared to be completely inconspicuous while having a very high blood plasma level of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Performance tests, which were conducted with the test batteries ART2020 and TAP provided sufficient and partly over-averaged results in driving related performance. Thus, it has to be considered, that in the case of ADHD, THC can have atypical effects and can even lead to an enhanced driving related performance.

Introduction

Assessing the performance or impairment of cannabis users is generally problematic as there is no stringent proof of a linear dose-effect relationship between the concentration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in blood and THC-induced impairment. The cause of the absence of such a relationship has not been identified. In this context it is rarely considered that the missing correlation may be due in part to a conceivable positive effect of cannabis on the behaviour and performance of individuals. Recently, Adriani et al. [1] gave evidence that cannabinoid agonists reduce hyperactivity in a spontaneously hypertensive rat strain, which is regarded as a validated animal model for attention deficiency hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There was also a significantly better treatment retention of cocaine dependent patients with comorbid ADHD among moderate users of cannabis compared to abstainers or heavy users [2]. ADHD was long considered a disorder limited to children and adolescents. It has now been proven that ADHD symptoms may persist into adulthood [3,4]. Individuals suffering from ADHD characteristically have an increased drive to move around and are unable to calm down. They are lacking in directed planning of their actions and the ability to assess the impact of their decisions. Their ability to organize day-to-day activities is reduced, they usually have a poor short-term memory, are forgetful and tend to work in a chaotic and inefficient way. Emotionally, they are prone to impulsive outburst, excessiveness and instability [5,6]. This present case study describes a male, 28 years of age, who was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and whose response to THC suggests that such a positive effect may exist. Considering that the subject applied for the reinstallation of his driving licence gives particular significance to psycho-physical performance deficits caused by ADHD. Numerous studies have shown that various performance functions, such as divided attention, selective attention, long-term attention and vigilance are impaired [7].

Case Description

The subject had a record of several violations of the German drug control law. He also had a record of numerous violations of traffic laws, including speeding, running of a red traffic light and driving under the influence of cannabis during which a high THC concentration in blood had been detected. Seven years ago, the subject had been diagnosed with ADHD (ICD 10 F90.0) for the first time, and that diagnosis had been assessed repeatedly and independently since by several psychiatric units. There was some evidence from his carrier that typical symptoms were already present in childhood, they were, however, not properly recorded. Comorbidities such as addiction, including cannabis, or personality disorders were absent. He had been treated over a period of about 12 months through a combination of methylphenidate (Ritalin®, 20-30 milligram/day) and behaviour therapy. Being not sufficiently efficacious, the medication was stopped. A subsequent certificate by a specialist for general medicine suggests that ADHD symptoms were much improved under cannabis and that dronabinol (THC) had been prescribed, even though ADHD is not indicated for this drug. Prior to the first contact the subject had been advised not to consume any medicinal or recreational drug. During that first visit he showed grossly conspicuous behaviour. His attitude was pushy, demanding and lacking distance. He expressed impatience, for example by drumming his fingers on the table. He also constantly shifted position, folded arms behind his head or leaned over the table in front of him. He was not open to discussing the potential impairment of driving skills caused by cannabis consumption. As the conversation continued and he was informed of the preconditions for a positive assessment of his suitability to operate a vehicle, his behaviour became even more conspicuous and aggressive. Finally, he got up, grabbed the table, leaned forward and shouted that he needed a driving license and that he needed cannabis. Overall he showed behaviour typical of persons who suffer from ADHD. During this visit, an appropriate performance of the tests was impossible. He was then offered to undergo, at a later time, a test of the impact of dronabinol on performance. During this appointment he appeared fundamentally changed and was not disturbed at all. He stated that he had stopped smoking cannabis, was taking dronabinol on a regular basis and that he had consumed it just two hours ago. He appeared calm, but not sedated, organized and restrained. Unlike during the first meeting he was able to accept and discuss arguments. When trying to make clear that THC was indispensable for his quality of life he became more engaged but without losing restraint. Rather, he was understanding of the position of the expert and indicated that the path to get back his driver license may be long but that he was willing to undertake it. His behaviour, motor function, mood and consciousness did not give any indications of a prior use of a psychoactive substance. The tests of performance functions that are relevant to driving skills involved the four subtests of ART2020, a computer-controlled test system, which is commonly used to assess driving performance. These subtests evaluate complex reactions (RST3), sustained attention (Q1), directed attention (LL3) and visual surveying and perception (TT15). In addition the functions of "vigilance" and "divided attention" were tested with the attention test module (TAP). The results of these tests (see Fig. 1) showed that the subject met, in all of the functions tested by ART2020, not only minimum criteria but that he achieved average or, in some areas, even above-average results. In the very demanding tests for "vigilance" and "divided attention" categories he also showed average performance. ADHD or acute effects of THC by themselves would usually impair performance particularly in these tests. A blood sample was taken after completion of the tests. It showed a very high concentration of THC (71 ng/mL serum), of the psychoactive metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC (30 ng/mL serum) and of the main nonpsychoactive metabolite 11-nor-delta-9-carboxy-THC (251 ng/mL serum). Such levels indicate recent as well as frequent consumption of THC-containing matters, and the analyte pattern also suggests smoking. Detection of cannabinol in hair (5.3 ng/mg) along with THC (3 ng/mg) gives evidence that the medication could not have been the only source of the THC. Only much later did the subject, who had been arrested for a drug offence a few days after the second visit, report that he had not consumed pharmaceutical dronabinol products but instead smoked cannabis just before the tests, since it was much less costly.

Conclusions

The present case report suggests that individuals suffering from ADHD, a dysfunction with a symptomatic change in activity levels, may - in some cases - benefit from cannabis treatment in that it appears to regulate activation to a level which may be considered optimum for performance. There was evidence, that the consumption of cannabis had a positive impact on performance, behaviour and mental state of the subject. The present observation corroborates previous data of Müller-Vahl et al. [8] suggesting that in patients suffering from Tourette syndrome, treatment with THC causes no cognitive defects. Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a neurobehavioral disorder associated with motor and vocal tics as well as behavioural and cognitive problems. The authors also hypothesized that the effects of cannabinoids in patients may be different from those in healthy users suggesting an involvement of the central cannabinoid receptor systems in the pathology of the disorder. The same conclusion may be drawn from previous studies [1, 2] and the present case report, although more information on these atypical effects should be provided and the underlying mechanisms are still to be elucidated.


Source: Cannabis-Med.Org
 
thanks for this post you have made me feel normal

i can relate to the test subject in some ways

i also have ADHD i was on 80mg of ritalin a day at the age of 12 till i was 15 when i got fed up of having stomach craps, lack of sleep (6 days at a time), feeling sick an loss of appetite
so i tried cannabis an it worked really well but supply over here is few an far between an at £25/g i had to go without on a regular basis i then found myself in the downhill spiral of bad on the spot decisions ending in convictions an disqualification from driving for multiple speeding followed close behind then anxiety depression set in as i was awaiting court date after court date

it finally went to far when i ran a red light at 100mph/180kmph hit a car, telegraph pole an granite wall all that happened over 15' lucky no one was hurt but that was 6 years ago now an i still suffer from ptss since i got my license back i dont go out in my car unless i have had something to smoke an so far i have held my license for 1year the longest single period yet

my life at the moment is not full i dont go out i stay at home as often as i can so i don't get into any situations plus i dont like public spaces they make me paranoid for 2 reasons

if im high people look at me like im a smack head they dont understand that its a medication to me if what i was doing was leagal i would not feel the same

if im not high im paranoid that im going to get into a situation that will lead me to getting into trouble ie i was helping my gf to get the car out of a tight space when some impatient person nearly took the front of the car off i said what an a**hole he stopped an got out started shooting his mouth off so i told him to piss off then his missus got out an i told him to put his dog back on its leash(meaning his wife) they reported me an i got another conviction for disorderly

my personal opinion is that cannabis helps me lead a more normal way of life an i fit into society better its just a shame that the authority's cant see me for anything other then the guy in there reports

thanks for this post

reaper
 
I am adhd and have been self medicating since I was 15
I was a test case for ritalin compared to todays doses they were overdoseing me bad
I would come home from school and my mom would dose me and I would be asleep in a half an hour
after they droped me off the program I went throe withdral bad
fast forwad 5yrs and some one offerd me someweed I didnt feel rushed anymore and I could relax enuph to concenterate
my schoolworrk improved geratly
now today if I dont smoke for 3 days I can feel the rushing feelinging come back
I lose concentration and cant sleep
when I do sleep I have nightmares (night terrors)and dont sleep for long
my friends tell me when I had to stop for a year I was bouncing off the walls
and had more depression and thoughts of killing myself
now I am not sad as often and never think of offing myself
I sleep better and verry little bad dreams ( and when I do have them their not so bad)
so tell me that canibus dosent help ahadd and I will tell you that your wrong
 
I am struggling with the legitimacy of most ADD/ADHD cases because many of those diagnosed are children who have a hard time paying attention. They are then referred by the public school system to a "specialist". These specialists then prescribe REAL drugs, such as Ritalin and Adderall (legal forms of Speed), and send the kids back to school so that they pay attention and the specialist gets a big check.
That isn't to say that ADD/ADHD doesn't really exist, it absolutely does and it is a real problem for some people. Knowing that cannabis can be a solution to this problem is incredible and needs to become a much more recognized form of treatment.
Unfortunately, the specialists, public school administrators, and other like-minded ignorant people wont ever allow it to be known as a legitimate treatment.
Ignorance rules our world.
 
I can only add (pun intended) that not only cannabis helps with ADHD, but also with depression and anxiety, one or both of which are co-morbid conditions present in a high percentage of ADHD sufferers, according to Barkley
 
I am adhd and have been self medicating since I was 15
I was a test case for ritalin compared to todays doses they were overdoseing me bad
I would come home from school and my mom would dose me and I would be asleep in a half an hour
after they droped me off the program I went throe withdral bad
fast forwad 5yrs and some one offerd me someweed I didnt feel rushed anymore and I could relax enuph to concenterate
my schoolworrk improved geratly
now today if I dont smoke for 3 days I can feel the rushing feelinging come back
I lose concentration and cant sleep
when I do sleep I have nightmares (night terrors)and dont sleep for long
my friends tell me when I had to stop for a year I was bouncing off the walls
and had more depression and thoughts of killing myself
now I am not sad as often and never think of offing myself
I sleep better and verry little bad dreams ( and when I do have them their not so bad)
so tell me that canibus dosent help ahadd and I will tell you that your wrong

I have noticed same,i have ad/hd and without blueberry or mazar i would be vert different person,i mean i was like angry,hatefull,violence came naturally to me,but when i founded weed, i was like totally different person. Nice and easygoing,just chill dude. So at least in my case the weed has practically saved me life!
 
thanks for this post! i knew weed helped me in some way, i was diagnosed with adhd at a young age and refused to take ritalin just like daymon,, cause the shitty side effects! i can become a completely different person in seconds, affecting myself and people around me, when im smoking cannabis im calm, occupied, funny and no doubt safe!! not to say i haven't got angry while im stoned before but its completely different and bit more controllable, iv avoided things i usually couldn't, more self control less of the attitude and violence

Thanks again, very helpful :)
 
Very nice post indeed. I'm also one who has been diagnosed with major depression, ADHD and just a general anxiety disorder.

I have the same experience as most people with prescription drugs. Achy sore muscles/back, night terrors, extremely moody at times, unpredictable, dizzy, and generally a super heavy feeling that drags me down all the time making me feel useless and unwanted or unmotivated. (Even though I have a good occupation, and amazing Wife and Family I can't seem to shake these feelings)

Cannabis definitely provides me SOME relief of these symptoms! I always feel much better, more easy going and relaxed after smoking some cannabis. Different strains are definitely way better then others for my symptoms; But there is no doubt in my mind that cannabis is something that actually gave me the strength to make it through life without hating everything and also kept me calm enough in order to succeed in life. I've never been lucky enough to know what strain and kind of quality cannabis I have actually been smoking. I find it can be hit or miss and I have good weeks and bad weeks because of this. If it was a controlled substance it would be much easier to get the proper strain and also not stress about running out.

I've recently lost trust for the person that I was purchasing my cannabis from though :( I feel like I only want to buy cannabis from someone who is a true friend, and/or a trustful source.

I'm super scared of what the next few weeks without Cannabis is going to bring for me and I hope I can continue to function well. I've been medicated every day now for almost 15 years and am just terrified I'm going to be an intolerable cranky bastard without it. It's a busy time of year here at my retail golf store and I just hope I am able to stay happy and treat customers super well. Hopefully someday I may have a harvest of my own.

For me Cannabis definitely provides some relief for ADD, Depression and GAD with much less negative side effects compared to prescription meds. It sucks though that being on a constant search for Cannabis and always worrying about running out causes its own major form of stress. If it was legal definitely a lot less people would struggle with similar issues to mine. Although Cannabis has a slight negative effect on my Short Term Memory, I don't really care as it keeps me happy and I come up with some decent ideas which I credit to smoking Mary J.

Hope you all enjoy the day and have some good luck. :)
 
I have noticed same,i have ad/hd and without blueberry or mazar i would be vert different person,i mean i was like angry,hatefull,violence came naturally to me,but when i founded weed, i was like totally different person. Nice and easygoing,just chill dude. So at least in my case the weed has practically saved me life!

Also same thing here.... I feel angry, violent and hateful and I hate myself it seems; However weed does seem to provide relief. Usually I'm singing a tune when I walk in the door after smoking a J. I think Mary J would definitely make the world a more peaceful and enjoyable place to live if people would just accept it for being like any other plant and not judge ones decisions for smoking it. Weed seems to effect everyone a little differently.
 
I gave in. I just love Mary J. It makes me feel so much happier! Colours are brighter, things seem more interesting and easy to pay attention to. I have WAY less random negative thoughts. Life just feels acceptable and happy with Mary J.

Without it I worry about everything, get more stressed and aggravated. I feel like I become sad just due to the very tough world we live in.... Sad for myself and sad for others that are definitely in much worse situations then myself. Even sad for innocent animals that have incredibly tough lives.

Somehow Mary J seems to allow me to actually WANT to push forward and live my life to it's fullest while I am able to.

Thank you Mary J.
 
Hi shanker65,

With a concentrated cannabis oil included to your MJ regimen your ailments/illness would be completely under control. I have two sons and a daughter with ADHD, also one with severe PTSD from the 1st gulf war (his change was amazing until he started ingesting the oil). A sativa dominate strain made into a concentrated cannabis oil has changed their lives. Amazing healing powers with MJ.

Best regards,

Motoco
 
The pharmaceutical narcotics currently prescribed to adults and children for ADHD often have unacceptable, life-wrecking side-effects (including anxiety, depression, tics and heart attacks), as well as high potential for abuse, addiction and negative life outcomes such as suicide.

In an ensemble effect with terpenes and other cannabinoids found in cannabis, THC treats a lack of focused attention in ADHD sufferers via the same neuromodulatory process used by those pharmaceuticals, but with an almost benign side-effects profile. THC increases Dopamine in the mid-brain through retrograde inhibition, which results in ADHD sufferers being able to concentrate.

The only way for most ADHD patients to legally access this vital medicine is for a definitive study of efficacy to be done. Until then sufferers of this chronic debilitating condition will continue to be denied their basic human right to happy, healthy lives by doctors and governments claiming that insufficient evidence exists... lets give them the evidence!
 
Hi shanker65,

With a concentrated cannabis oil included to your MJ regimen your ailments/illness would be completely under control. I have two sons and a daughter with ADHD, also one with severe PTSD from the 1st gulf war (his change was amazing until he started ingesting the oil). A sativa dominate strain made into a concentrated cannabis oil has changed their lives. Amazing healing powers with MJ.

Best regards,

Motoco

As a person with ADD for a very long time, this seems to good to be true. Are they still using the oil? Please fill me on details when you get the time.
 
I am 53, and was diagnosed with severe ADD last year. I always knew something was wrong, but of late the symptoms have increased to where I jump around in conversation and writing (I'm working on a book) and I walk into rooms and have no idea what I entered for. I described it to my doctor as "my thoughts bounce around like a ping pong ball in a wind tunnel"... It's downright noisy in my head, so many thoughts spinning I can't hold on to any one thought more than a second.

I also have a bad back. I'm on Social Security as its too painful to stand for long, sit for long, bend, twist, lift, you name it. I smoked pot as a kid, and didn't start again until I had tried everything for pain and finally went and got a MMJ card... My husband came home and I was numb in the recliner. :)

I don't know how pot affects my ADD... I smoke a lot... I feel like it makes me more forgetful, but I will pay attention to the spinning in my head and such.

My doctor prescribed a dose of Adderal that my insurance won't cover (90 mg/day) so I take 60 plus Wellbutrin, which I read may enhance the Adderal or Ritalin's effect. (I am not depressed, not anymore, I used to be, bad, and had anxiety attacks for years too)

Thanks for an interesting thread... I may do some more research on ADD and weed.
 
adhd survivior here. diagnosed as an adult. went the legal way on ritalin for a few years as the system offered eduction if i did. got a much needed diploma on the stuff but i was wired. reminded so much of what it was like to be on coke, maybe without the cravings, but i hated it all the same. got me through the toughest part of the school work tho, so it had it's place. wound up bingeing then hoarding at the end. didn't like where that was going, plus there was tons of trouble with people trying to cop my meds. i tossed the program for good after i graduated.


fast forward a couple yrs and i had all the attendant social issues that blanket an adhd monkey without a control. then i found the cbd and thc pills. i had been self medicating pretty heavy for years, i really did wanna be stoned most of the time. then i had an epiphany - it wasnt the high i wanted, as much as the effects just before or after.

friends started helping me, and with a little experimentation i wound up with a thc heavy indica pill, and a high cbd sativa counterpart.

the cbd helps with other issues and caps the indica pills so i don't get stoned. at this point my tolerance is so high i rarely feel stoned if i smoke. i really don't smoke much at all anymore.

the transformation with the pills is awesome. i went from a state of constant near fired at work to employee of the month material. i am much more centered and have never felt so in control of my thoughts and emotions. it has led to a level of maturity i never experienced before. i don't get the problems with sleep depravation, and step around the ritalin / alcohol disaster a lot of adhd people fall into.

now the only trouble is with supply. the solution for me is a mix off mmj access and growing.
 
Old thread but I'll add my experience here too. I have ADD and depression, anxiety, the whole lot. I recently discovered that a more sativa strain (Royal Jack from RQS) works a lot better for my symptoms than the more stoney ones. It's kinda weird because I've always thought that the more indica types are supposed to calm you more,but in my case that introspective stone is not a good thing,it makes me paranoid. I feel a lot more focused and happy after smoking some Jack, the racing thoughts don't harass me. On the other hand, cbd oil also works well. A high cbd sativa,is there such a thing?

Would people have any recommendations for particular strains?
 
i am growing a high cbd indica strain right now. i understand how you feel about the sativas. when it comes to smoking i also prefer sativas for the same reasons you do. i do mostly canna pills however, and the sativa based pills just weren't doing it. the indica pills seem to work better over all.
 
i am growing a high cbd indica strain right now. i understand how you feel about the sativas. when it comes to smoking i also prefer sativas for the same reasons you do. i do mostly canna pills however, and the sativa based pills just weren't doing it. the indica pills seem to work better over all.

Do you make the pills yourself?
 
Surprised I missed this thread before now. Or maybe not.... Haha.

I've long felt that smoking has helped slow my mind down enough to communicate with others. It allows me to trouble shoot more effectively and makes staying on one menial but necessary task at a time possible.
Interesting to see the possible correlation with ∆9 thc. I'm hoping like you guys to find a strain or strains that helps me develop a better treatment plan than "get high all the time".
 
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