Can CBD oil help with ADHD?

07. 03. 2024

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in cannabis that can have a number of beneficial effects on a person's physical and mental health. This has led many people to consider that CBD could also have uses in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Can CBD oil help with this disorder? What do we know, and what are the conclusions from the available research?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is most often diagnosed in childhood. It can cause symptoms including inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Before you decide to give CBD drops (oil) a try, we think it's important to give you the basics on what CBD oil is, what research says about its effects, what benefits it can have for relieving ADHD symptoms, and what its potential side effects are.

1. W hat is CBD oil?
2. How are CBD and THC different
3. CBD may reduce hyperactivity
4. CBD may reduce ADHD symptoms
5. Can CBD help with ADHD?
6. CBD for ADHD symptoms
7. Possible side effects
8. So should you try CBD oil for ADHD?
9. How to use CBD drops
10. Is CBD legal?
11. Conclusion

What is CBD oil?

CBD oil is extracted from hemp. After extraction from the plant, it is mixed with a carrier oil - hemp, coconut, or even olive or sunflower oil. Studies suggest that CBD is safe and is generally well tolerated by people, although further research needs to be done to look at the possible effects of long-term use. The cannabis plant contains hundreds of different compounds. The best known of these is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is also the most widely used. This substance is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. In other words, THC is the substance that causes the euphoric high that people associate with cannabis use. CBD is the second most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis. Although it does not cause a high like THC, it does have some effects on the brain and may have mental health benefits - including potential benefits for people with ADHD.

How are CBD and THC different?

People who advocate the use of CBD oil for ADHD highlight that:

CBD drops may be more effective than some other treatments
may have fewer side effects than traditional medications
unconfirmed evidence suggests they might help with some ADHD symptoms
may have other mental health benefits

One of the main benefits that attracts the use of CBD may be the relief of some of the side effects that traditional ADHD treatments can bring with them.</p

70 to 80% of children with ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms after taking stimulant medication for ADHD. However, these medications can cause side effects including sleep problems, decreased appetite and mood changes. Before you decide to try CBD for ADHD treatment, it's important to consider the research findings. At the same time, we highly recommend that you always consult with your doctor before pursuing any alternative remedies.

Research

What do the experts say? Is CBD really effective in treating ADHD? Interest in the use of CBD has largely outpaced research into its use, safety and effectiveness. The truth is that research into the use of CBD as a treatment for ADHD is currently insufficient. Most of what scientists already know is based on research into the use of cannabis itself, whether through smoking or other means, not directly from the effects of CBD oil or other CBD products.

Finally, even the studies on the use of cannabis in the treatment of ADHD are completely inadequate. Moreover, many of these studies rely on data based on user experience, which does not give them as much weight as the results of a randomized clinical trial.

CBD may reduce hyperactivity

A 2013 study looked at cannabis use and ADHD subtypes. Data collected from more than 2,800 study participants showed that people who did not use cannabis were more likely to report hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. This suggests that people who use cannabis for self-medication may experience relief from symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity.

CBD may reduce ADHD symptoms

One small randomized controlled trial in 2017 reported that adults with ADHD treated with the cannabinoid drug Sativex (which contains THC and CBD) experienced a modest reduction in ADHD symptoms without cognitive impairment. However, it is important to note that these improvements were marginal and thus not sufficient to demonstrate that cannabinoids are significantly more effective than placebo treatment.

A study from 2020 found that higher doses of medical cannabis led to reduced ADHD medication use in adults. Products containing higher doses of CBD were associated with lower ADHD scores.

Can CBD help with ADHD?

More research is needed

Although these findings suggest that hemp and cannabinoid compounds are promising as a treatment for ADHD, they do not prove that CBD alone can have any effect on the symptoms of the disorder. Further research is also needed to determine what role the endocannabinoid system plays in ADHD.

CBD for ADHD symptoms

Although evidence that CBD oil may be useful in the treatment of ADHD is still scarce, it may serve to manage some of the symptoms associated with the disorder. In fact, other comorbidities, including anxiety and depression, are relatively common along with ADHD. Although more research is needed to explore the effects of CBD in this regard as well, a number of studies have shown that CBD can be an effective tool in reducing the symptoms of a number of anxiety conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. CBD has also been found to have antidepressant effects, which may make it useful in the treatment of depression.</p

It is important to note that much of the research is still in the early stages. The effects of CBD, what conditions it can treat and what doses are most effective need to be explored in more depth. If you are considering taking CBD, you should also be aware that although it is usually well tolerated, its use can lead to the occurrence of side effects in some cases.

Possible side effects

CBD oil can have a number of side effects. Although many of these are mild, some of the common problems may include:

changes in appetite
sleepiness
headache
mood changes
involvement
stomach upset

Side effects may be more common at higher doses, although research suggests that CBD use is safe and well tolerated at doses up to 1,500 mg per day. It is also important to note that CBD may interfere with the metabolism of some drugs.

In addition to the most common side effects, concerns have also been raised about the possible worsening of some ADHD symptoms. Effects associated with marijuana use (i.e., THC content) are also common symptoms of ADHD. One potential problem is memory and attention disorders, which are often associated with cannabis use in general.</p

In an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), points out many of the potential negative side effects of cannabis use. These include attention and memory disorders, problems that can be long-term and worsen with chronic cannabis (not just CBD) use.

Another problem is that ADHD can be a risk factor for drug and alcohol abuse. The occurrence of impulsive symptoms may make people more likely to abuse cannabis or develop a cannabis use disorder. This reinforces concerns about the use of cannabis or cannabis-related products in the treatment of ADHD symptoms.</p

Whether CBD oil use may contribute to later marijuana abuse is not yet known. However, marijuana may have potentially negative effects on attention and motivation. Young people who smoke cannabis may also experience lasting cognitive and IQ impairment. Some research suggests that very high doses may pose a risk of liver damage. In a study in which mice were given very high doses of CBD, researchers observed an increased risk of liver toxicity. Further research is needed to determine whether the same risks apply to humans.

So should you try CBD oil for ADHD? There are a few important things to keep in mind:

CBD should not 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 choice for treating ADHD. There are a number of effective treatments currently available to manage the symptoms of this condition. Until further evidence demonstrates the usefulness of CBD for this purpose, it is better to stick with known treatments that have solid efficacy results.

Just because something is perceived as more "natural" doesn't mean it's the best choice. CBD oil appeals to some people because it is a natural product. Although CBD oil appears to have little or negligible side effects in the short term, scientists are still unsure of its potential effects with long-term use. We don't know if it actually works. It is not yet clear whether CBD could be effective in treating ADHD, and we will only get answers after further research.

There are different types of CBD oils to choose from, and it is not clear which products might be useful in treating ADHD. The different types vary according to what they contain. CBD isolate contains only CBD. Broad-spectrum products contain CBD and other cannabinoids, but not THC. Full-spectrum products contain CBD, THC and other cannabinoids.

How to use CBD drops

If you decide to try CBD oil for ADHD or for other reasons, we always recommend choosing products from reputable brands that transparently provide their customers with a certificate of analysis (you can see what such a certificate looks like for all of our CBD oils). There is also no research that compares the effects of different forms of CBD. In addition to being available in oil form, CBD can also be purchased in capsules, gummies, sprays, tinctures, gelatin candies, beverages, and vaping liquids.

Is CBD legal?

It is perfectly legal to sell, possess and use CBD in the Czech Republic. However, there are restrictions on the amount of THC allowed in the product (currently 1% or less). However, laws in most countries, including the Czech Republic, prohibit manufacturers from claiming that a product can prevent, treat or cure diseases. They can only do so if these claims are backed up by reliable scientific studies.

Conclusion

Although CBD oil and other CBD products may alleviate some symptoms of ADHD, there is simply not enough evidence to support their use as an alternative treatment for ADHD. If you decide to try it, be sure to consult your doctor first. He or she will be able to suggest the most effective and safest ways to help you better manage your symptoms.

In stock

39,91 €

Add to Cart