Can I Use CBD Oil For ADHD? What the Research Says
Wondering if you can use CBD to manage your ADHD? While it’s been suggested to help, it’s not one of the more popular uses for cannabidiol. Common CBD uses include to manage chronic pain, anxiety, skin conditions, and many others. However, it seems like someone somewhere will claim CBD works for just about any condition. You may be wondering, can I use CBD oil for ADHD?
We’re here to answer that question. But let’s start with the basics.
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders for children. However, it’s not just a disorder that children face. It’s often diagnosed in childhood but continues into adulthood. There are also many people who do not receive an ADHD diagnosis until adulthood.
The condition is different for everyone. Many people with ADHD struggle to pay attention and control impulsive behaviors. They also may be overly active, squirming and fidgeting often.
Here are some common symptoms of ADHD:
- Forgetting or losing things often
- Frequently daydreaming
- Squirming and fidgeting often
- Excessive talking
- Difficulty focusing
- Difficulty getting along with others
- Struggling to take turns with others
This list is not comprehensive. It’s possible to have some of the symptoms without having ADHD. It’s also possible to have ADHD without matching all of the listed symptoms.
Children with ADHD do not grow out of the condition. And the symptoms can cause problems with daily life, including school and work. For diagnosis, doctors typically rule out hearing and visual problems before making a diagnosis from the child’s history.
How is ADHD treated?
Before we dive into the possibility of CBD helping with ADHD, let’s look at typical treatments for the condition. For the most part, ADHD is best treated with behavior therapy and medication in combination.
The traditional medicine route for treating ADHD includes stimulant medications like Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta. These medications are believed to work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. For many, this is an effective treatment. Paired with behavioral therapy, it can be enough to keep the condition from interfering with daily life.
For others, ADHD medication causes adverse effects. If you’re one of those people, it’s natural you may be curious about other options.
Can I Use CBD oil for ADHD treatment?
CBD is a non-intoxicating compound found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoid medication is a popular alternative to other pharmaceuticals for a variety of conditions.
When it comes to ADHD, the information we have is promising but not definitive.
You see, many people have had success using CBD to manage their ADHD symptoms. Keep in mind this does not equate to treating or curing their ADHD. It specifically refers to management of ADHD symptoms.
Additionally, the evidence is primarily anecdotal. There is little scientific evidence to backup the use of cannabis and ADHD, let alone just one component of the plant, CBD. Some studies have looked at the connection between cannabis use and ADHD. They found an insignificant improvement in brain function and symptom reduction. It was not considered any more effective than the placebo. However, it’s important to note that this study looked specifically at the marijuana plant as a whole, not just CBD.
Still, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence pointing toward CBD’s effectiveness at helping manage ADHD symptoms. In ADDitude Magazine, some anecdotal experiences with CBD and ADHD were described. Half of the respondents had positive experiences, feeling less manic or more able to relax when they used CBD. This is promising, but not definitive.
Since many people with ADHD also experience symptoms like anxiety and sleep troubles, CBD may be beneficial in managing those symptoms and thus improving their condition. Studies have found the compound to be useful for sleep troubles and anxiety in children. Therefore, it’s possible that CBD will help to manage some of the symptoms that go along with the condition.
CBD Oil for ADHD: The bottom line
We hope we’ve helped to clarify if you can use CBD oil for ADHD. The bottom line is that while we don’t have enough scientific evidence to back up its use, there are plenty of anecdotal cases where users have benefitted from its use.
Whether CBD will help with your ADHD or not is up to the individual person. If you are working with a medical professional, it’s a good idea to discuss the potential of CBD to manage symptoms.
Be sure to select a product that has undergone thorough CBD testing to ensure it is pure and potent. A good CBD company will always provide proof of testing. Nobody should consume products that may have pesticides or other contaminants present.
Stay tuned for our CBD database coming soon. We compile all of the best companies with products tested at an ISO-accredited laboratory so you can shop smart.