Research on the consequences and effectiveness of using marijuana to treat children, teens, and young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder continues to evolve.
However, the results are mixed and do not advocate the use of the drug for this condition on a medical basis.
Medical marijuana is still illegal in many states, and research has not proved its suitability for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This article looks at the scientific research and other evidence for and against the potential use of marijuana as a treatment for symptoms of ADHD.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects around 6–9 percent of children and young adults, and about 5 percent of adults, globally.
A person with ADHD might find it hard to focus on tasks, frequently fidget, show signs of restless behavior, and they may be unable to stay still or quiet at appropriate times.
ADHD can lead to people having relationship problems or difficulties with academic work at school and college despite having normal or superior intellectual abilities.
Treatment for ADHD usually involves doctors prescribing stimulant medications, such as Ritalin or Adderall.
These medications are believed to help correct the levels of a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine. However, they may have unpleasant side effects.
To avoid these adverse effects, some people with ADHD use marijuana as a treatment option. This is because marijuana is believed to have the same impact on dopamine levels as prescription medications.
However, there remain many unanswered questions about how useful it is, and its safety, especially for children and young people.
Supporters of marijuana often claim it is a safe drug and has no risks of addiction. But opponents call it a “gateway drug,” potentially leading to the use of other drugs, and they claim it is more dangerous than some realize.
Marijuana is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs in the U.S. and is popular among younger adults. Most people smoke or eat the plant to produce a “high.”
In recent years, marijuana has made news as an alternative treatment for a variety of health conditions, including pain and mental health problems.
Despite these facts, questions and doubts remain.
A study of 268 separate online discussion threads reported that 25 percent of people said they believed that marijuana had a positive role to play in ADHD symptom management. The study points out, however, that research proving a connection between marijuana the management of ADHD is limited.
Some schools of thought suggest that ADHD migt stem from a lack of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex region of the brain.
As a neurotransmitter, dopamine is a chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells in the brain. Dopamine is believed to affect thought processes, including memory and attention.
Substances in recreational drugs, such as marijuana, lead to the production of more dopamine in the reward center of the brain.
The brain’s reward center gives an individual a pleasant sensation when they use marijuana and other drugs. However, this cycle of recreational drug use and increased dopamine can lead to the development of dependence.
Nature journal published a study in 2017 that discusses the dopamine-releasing action of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active chemical component in marijuana, and the source of its pleasure sensation. The researchers advised that THC boosts short-term dopamine levels but may dull the system that releases dopamine long-term.
This varying effect suggests that even if marijuana provides short-term symptom relief, better focus, or sedation for people with ADHD, longer-term use may result in more harm than good.
However, in the journal Brain, an imaging study by researchers at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom disputed the connection between ADHD and dopamine. They, instead, related ADHD to the structure of the gray matter in the brain.
One trial from 2017 tested a cannabinoid medication on people with ADHD. While the participant number was small and the findings were not statistically significant, the results did show small improvements in ADHD symptoms. The results also suggested that adults who take cannabinoids for ADHD experience the side effects less than children.
A further review of available clinical evidence on marijuana cited a case that — although not involving ADHD — showed that a child with autistic spectrum disorder had improved hyperactivity levels after receiving a cannabidiol treatment.
However, other research shows a relationship between marijuana dependence and ADHD.
One study of 99 people seeking treatment for cannabis use disorders showed an estimated ADHD prevalence of between 34 and 46 percent.
Overall, research seems to indicate that, although marijuana seems to alleviate certain short-term effects of ADHD, it may present a heightened risk of dependence and might even make ADHD worse.
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