Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
How It May Help
Using It With Medications
Substance Use Disorder
Risks
Because weed (Cannabis sativa) has been linked to relaxation, many people wonder if it can be helpful in managing ADHD symptoms such as trouble focusing and impulsive behavior.
The research on whether cannabis can provide short-term relief of ADHD symptoms is mixed, and researchers are still trying to learn more about cannabis and ADHD. Using cannabis when you have ADHD is associated with risk, like the potential for developing substance use disorder. Using it with ADHD medications may also cause unwanted effects.
Here’s what you should know about the effects of cannabis on people with ADHD.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
How Weed Could Help With ADHD Symptoms
To understand how marijuana might provide relief for ADHD symptoms, it’s important to understand the two components of cannabis, which are:
When you smoke or consume cannabis, you take in both THC and CBD.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects 11% of school-aged children and an estimated 4.4% of adults.
Cannabis for ADHD: What Research Says
More research is needed to determine if weed can have benefits for adults with ADHD. However, at this time, most states with medical cannabis programs do not include ADHD as a qualifying condition for getting a license.
Could Microdosing Cannabis Help With ADHD?There’s not enough research to conclude whether cannabis helps people with ADHD. This includes microdosing, or taking ultra-low doses of cannabis to help manage symptoms without a high. If you’re interested in microdosing to help control ADHD, talk with your healthcare provider.
Could Microdosing Cannabis Help With ADHD?
There’s not enough research to conclude whether cannabis helps people with ADHD. This includes microdosing, or taking ultra-low doses of cannabis to help manage symptoms without a high. If you’re interested in microdosing to help control ADHD, talk with your healthcare provider.
Marijuana and Kids
Even states with recreational cannabis laws don’t allow people under 21 years old to purchase or consume weed. Medical marijuana programs for children are extremely limited, and ADHD is not a qualifying condition.
Using Weed With ADHD Medications
There’s limited research on how cannabis interacts with ADHD medications, such as Adderall (dextroamphetamine-amphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate). A small 2015 study of adults without ADHD found that combining Ritalin with THC caused a significant increase in heart rate compared to Ritalin alone.
If you’re on ADHD medications, it’s important that you be upfront and honest with your healthcare provider about your marijuana use.
Weed use is becoming mainstream and is legal in some places. Where it is legal, it is better regulated and safer to use. Buying marijuana products from a legal, regulated source means you will know what is in the products and how much is safe to use. You cannot know this if buying from an unregulated dealer.
Your healthcare provider can help you understand the benefits and risks of using cannabis with ADHD medications.
How to Talk to Your Doctor About Marijuana
Some people believe thatdifferent strainsof marijuana produce different effects. Strains are different varieties of the cannabis plant. Common marketing distinguishes between these two strains:
CBD oil and CBD products are advertised as providing the benefits of cannabis without the “high.” However, limited research has found inconsistent evidence for the benefits of CBD products. One review of studies concluded that CBD products could have short-term benefits for people with ADHD, but that long-term use was associated with ongoing problems in cognitive performance and impacts on success in school or at work.
If you’re considering cannabis for your ADHD, talk to your healthcare provider about trying CBD.
When Does Weed Use Become a Substance Use Disorder?
About 30% of people who use cannabis will develop a substance use disorder.A substance use disorder occurs when substance use begins to interfere with a person’s day-to-day functioning.
Research shows that CBD alone, without THC, is not addictive.So, if you are concerned about developing a substance use disorder, you may want to choose a product with only CBD as opposed to both CBD and THC.
Marijuana use has other long- and short-term risks, including:
If buying from an unregulated dealer, you cannot be sure what is in the product, which may have other substances added, some of which have their own health risks.
How Much Cannabis Is Too Much?If your cannabis use is interfering with your day-to-day functioning, it’s time to seek help. Remember that even in states with recreational cannabis programs, cannabis is illegal for people who are under the age of 21.
How Much Cannabis Is Too Much?
If your cannabis use is interfering with your day-to-day functioning, it’s time to seek help. Remember that even in states with recreational cannabis programs, cannabis is illegal for people who are under the age of 21.
Summary
There’s little research on whether weed can help with ADHD. The research that exists is mixed: Some studies have found that cannabis can help with ADHD symptoms, while others conclude there is insufficient evidence to make that conclusion.
In most cases, ADHD doesn’t qualify for state medical marijuana programs, and cannabis should never be used to treat ADHD in people under age 21. It’s best to have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider about using cannabis if you have ADHD.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NIDA.Cannabis Drug Facts.Calapai F, Cardia L, Sorbara EE, et al.Cannabinoids, blood–brain barrier, and brain disposition.Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(3):265. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030265Batalla A, Bos J, Postma A, Bossong MG.The impact of cannabidiol on human brain function: a systematic review.Front Pharmacol. 2021 Jan 21;11:618184. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.618184.National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Hergenrather JY, Aviram J, Vysotski Y, Campisi-Pinto S, Lewitus GM, Meiri D.Cannabinoid and terpenoid doses are associated with adult ADHD status of medical cannabis patients.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2020;11(1):e0001. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10384Francisco AP, Lethbridge G, Patterson B, Goldman Bergmann C, Van Ameringen M.Cannabis use in attention - deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A scoping review.J Psychiatr Res. 2023;157:239-256. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.11.029Dhamija D, Bello AO, Khan AA, et al.Cannabis use in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-a benefit or a curse: A systematic review.Cureus. 2023 Jun 26;15(6). doi:10.7759/cureus.40969Stueber A, Cuttler C.Self-reported effects of cannabis on ADHD symptoms, ADHD medication side effects, and ADHD-related executive dysfunction.J Atten Disord. 2022;26(6):942-955. doi:10.1177/10870547211050949Blest-Hopley G, Colizzi M, Giampietro V, Bhattacharyya S.Is the adolescent brain at greater vulnerability to the effects of cannabis? A narrative review of the evidence.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:859. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00859Kollins SH, Schoenfelder EN, English JS, et al.An exploratory study of the combined effects of orally administered methylphenidate and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Thc) on cardiovascular function, subjective effects, and performance in healthy adults.J Subst Abuse Treat. 2015;48(1):96-103. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2014.07.014Pearce DD, Mitsouras K, Irizarry KJ.Discriminating the effects of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica: a web survey of medical cannabis users.J Altern Complement Med. 2014;20(10):787-791. doi:10.1089/acm.2013.0190McPartland JM.Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica versus “Sativa” and “Indica.”In: Chandra S, Lata H, ElSohly MA, eds.Cannabis Sativa L. — Botany and Biotechnology. Springer International Publishing; 2017:101–121. DOI:10.1007/978–3–319–54564–6_4Ayyash HF, Ogundele M, Cartas BC, Dahabra M. G632Effectiveness of cannabidiol oil in the management of ADHD and its co-morbidities: Review of the evidence.Arch Dis Child. 2020;105(Suppl 1):A228-. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2020-rcpch.546National Institute on Drug Abuse.Is marijuana addictive?World Health Organization.Drugs (psychoactive): Cannabidiol (compound of cannabis).Scheier LM, Griffin KW.Youth marijuana use: a review of causes and consequences.Curr Opin Psychol. 2021;38:11-18. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.06.007Dahlgren MK, Sagar KA, Racine MT, Dreman MW, Gruber SA.Marijuana use predicts cognitive performance on tasks of executive function.J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2016;77(2):298-308. doi:10.15288/jsad.2016.77.298
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NIDA.Cannabis Drug Facts.Calapai F, Cardia L, Sorbara EE, et al.Cannabinoids, blood–brain barrier, and brain disposition.Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(3):265. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030265Batalla A, Bos J, Postma A, Bossong MG.The impact of cannabidiol on human brain function: a systematic review.Front Pharmacol. 2021 Jan 21;11:618184. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.618184.National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Hergenrather JY, Aviram J, Vysotski Y, Campisi-Pinto S, Lewitus GM, Meiri D.Cannabinoid and terpenoid doses are associated with adult ADHD status of medical cannabis patients.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2020;11(1):e0001. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10384Francisco AP, Lethbridge G, Patterson B, Goldman Bergmann C, Van Ameringen M.Cannabis use in attention - deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A scoping review.J Psychiatr Res. 2023;157:239-256. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.11.029Dhamija D, Bello AO, Khan AA, et al.Cannabis use in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-a benefit or a curse: A systematic review.Cureus. 2023 Jun 26;15(6). doi:10.7759/cureus.40969Stueber A, Cuttler C.Self-reported effects of cannabis on ADHD symptoms, ADHD medication side effects, and ADHD-related executive dysfunction.J Atten Disord. 2022;26(6):942-955. doi:10.1177/10870547211050949Blest-Hopley G, Colizzi M, Giampietro V, Bhattacharyya S.Is the adolescent brain at greater vulnerability to the effects of cannabis? A narrative review of the evidence.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:859. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00859Kollins SH, Schoenfelder EN, English JS, et al.An exploratory study of the combined effects of orally administered methylphenidate and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Thc) on cardiovascular function, subjective effects, and performance in healthy adults.J Subst Abuse Treat. 2015;48(1):96-103. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2014.07.014Pearce DD, Mitsouras K, Irizarry KJ.Discriminating the effects of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica: a web survey of medical cannabis users.J Altern Complement Med. 2014;20(10):787-791. doi:10.1089/acm.2013.0190McPartland JM.Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica versus “Sativa” and “Indica.”In: Chandra S, Lata H, ElSohly MA, eds.Cannabis Sativa L. — Botany and Biotechnology. Springer International Publishing; 2017:101–121. DOI:10.1007/978–3–319–54564–6_4Ayyash HF, Ogundele M, Cartas BC, Dahabra M. G632Effectiveness of cannabidiol oil in the management of ADHD and its co-morbidities: Review of the evidence.Arch Dis Child. 2020;105(Suppl 1):A228-. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2020-rcpch.546National Institute on Drug Abuse.Is marijuana addictive?World Health Organization.Drugs (psychoactive): Cannabidiol (compound of cannabis).Scheier LM, Griffin KW.Youth marijuana use: a review of causes and consequences.Curr Opin Psychol. 2021;38:11-18. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.06.007Dahlgren MK, Sagar KA, Racine MT, Dreman MW, Gruber SA.Marijuana use predicts cognitive performance on tasks of executive function.J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2016;77(2):298-308. doi:10.15288/jsad.2016.77.298
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
NIDA.Cannabis Drug Facts.Calapai F, Cardia L, Sorbara EE, et al.Cannabinoids, blood–brain barrier, and brain disposition.Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(3):265. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030265Batalla A, Bos J, Postma A, Bossong MG.The impact of cannabidiol on human brain function: a systematic review.Front Pharmacol. 2021 Jan 21;11:618184. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.618184.National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Hergenrather JY, Aviram J, Vysotski Y, Campisi-Pinto S, Lewitus GM, Meiri D.Cannabinoid and terpenoid doses are associated with adult ADHD status of medical cannabis patients.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2020;11(1):e0001. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10384Francisco AP, Lethbridge G, Patterson B, Goldman Bergmann C, Van Ameringen M.Cannabis use in attention - deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A scoping review.J Psychiatr Res. 2023;157:239-256. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.11.029Dhamija D, Bello AO, Khan AA, et al.Cannabis use in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-a benefit or a curse: A systematic review.Cureus. 2023 Jun 26;15(6). doi:10.7759/cureus.40969Stueber A, Cuttler C.Self-reported effects of cannabis on ADHD symptoms, ADHD medication side effects, and ADHD-related executive dysfunction.J Atten Disord. 2022;26(6):942-955. doi:10.1177/10870547211050949Blest-Hopley G, Colizzi M, Giampietro V, Bhattacharyya S.Is the adolescent brain at greater vulnerability to the effects of cannabis? A narrative review of the evidence.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:859. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00859Kollins SH, Schoenfelder EN, English JS, et al.An exploratory study of the combined effects of orally administered methylphenidate and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Thc) on cardiovascular function, subjective effects, and performance in healthy adults.J Subst Abuse Treat. 2015;48(1):96-103. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2014.07.014Pearce DD, Mitsouras K, Irizarry KJ.Discriminating the effects of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica: a web survey of medical cannabis users.J Altern Complement Med. 2014;20(10):787-791. doi:10.1089/acm.2013.0190McPartland JM.Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica versus “Sativa” and “Indica.”In: Chandra S, Lata H, ElSohly MA, eds.Cannabis Sativa L. — Botany and Biotechnology. Springer International Publishing; 2017:101–121. DOI:10.1007/978–3–319–54564–6_4Ayyash HF, Ogundele M, Cartas BC, Dahabra M. G632Effectiveness of cannabidiol oil in the management of ADHD and its co-morbidities: Review of the evidence.Arch Dis Child. 2020;105(Suppl 1):A228-. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2020-rcpch.546National Institute on Drug Abuse.Is marijuana addictive?World Health Organization.Drugs (psychoactive): Cannabidiol (compound of cannabis).Scheier LM, Griffin KW.Youth marijuana use: a review of causes and consequences.Curr Opin Psychol. 2021;38:11-18. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.06.007Dahlgren MK, Sagar KA, Racine MT, Dreman MW, Gruber SA.Marijuana use predicts cognitive performance on tasks of executive function.J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2016;77(2):298-308. doi:10.15288/jsad.2016.77.298
NIDA.Cannabis Drug Facts.
Calapai F, Cardia L, Sorbara EE, et al.Cannabinoids, blood–brain barrier, and brain disposition.Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(3):265. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030265
Batalla A, Bos J, Postma A, Bossong MG.The impact of cannabidiol on human brain function: a systematic review.Front Pharmacol. 2021 Jan 21;11:618184. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.618184.
National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Hergenrather JY, Aviram J, Vysotski Y, Campisi-Pinto S, Lewitus GM, Meiri D.Cannabinoid and terpenoid doses are associated with adult ADHD status of medical cannabis patients.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2020;11(1):e0001. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10384
Francisco AP, Lethbridge G, Patterson B, Goldman Bergmann C, Van Ameringen M.Cannabis use in attention - deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A scoping review.J Psychiatr Res. 2023;157:239-256. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.11.029
Dhamija D, Bello AO, Khan AA, et al.Cannabis use in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-a benefit or a curse: A systematic review.Cureus. 2023 Jun 26;15(6). doi:10.7759/cureus.40969
Stueber A, Cuttler C.Self-reported effects of cannabis on ADHD symptoms, ADHD medication side effects, and ADHD-related executive dysfunction.J Atten Disord. 2022;26(6):942-955. doi:10.1177/10870547211050949
Blest-Hopley G, Colizzi M, Giampietro V, Bhattacharyya S.Is the adolescent brain at greater vulnerability to the effects of cannabis? A narrative review of the evidence.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:859. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00859
Kollins SH, Schoenfelder EN, English JS, et al.An exploratory study of the combined effects of orally administered methylphenidate and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Thc) on cardiovascular function, subjective effects, and performance in healthy adults.J Subst Abuse Treat. 2015;48(1):96-103. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2014.07.014
Pearce DD, Mitsouras K, Irizarry KJ.Discriminating the effects of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica: a web survey of medical cannabis users.J Altern Complement Med. 2014;20(10):787-791. doi:10.1089/acm.2013.0190
McPartland JM.Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica versus “Sativa” and “Indica.”In: Chandra S, Lata H, ElSohly MA, eds.Cannabis Sativa L. — Botany and Biotechnology. Springer International Publishing; 2017:101–121. DOI:10.1007/978–3–319–54564–6_4
Ayyash HF, Ogundele M, Cartas BC, Dahabra M. G632Effectiveness of cannabidiol oil in the management of ADHD and its co-morbidities: Review of the evidence.Arch Dis Child. 2020;105(Suppl 1):A228-. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2020-rcpch.546
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Is marijuana addictive?
World Health Organization.Drugs (psychoactive): Cannabidiol (compound of cannabis).
Scheier LM, Griffin KW.Youth marijuana use: a review of causes and consequences.Curr Opin Psychol. 2021;38:11-18. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.06.007
Dahlgren MK, Sagar KA, Racine MT, Dreman MW, Gruber SA.Marijuana use predicts cognitive performance on tasks of executive function.J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2016;77(2):298-308. doi:10.15288/jsad.2016.77.298
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