ADHD - CBD as a natural alternative to Ritalin?
|
Time to read 6 min
Those who suffer from ADHD are often confronted with many prejudices. People with ADHD are considered overactive, unfocused, and not very adaptable. Sufferers suffer from the condition, as they find it difficult to perform everyday tasks.
Especially in professional environments or at school or university, their condition often puts many obstacles in their way.
The treatment of choice is the administration of Ritalin.
Not all affected individuals benefit equally from the medication, especially since it causes some disturbing side effects.
If you suffer from ADHD, you may have already wondered whether you can alleviate the symptoms of the condition naturally, for example by using the dietary supplement CBD.
CBD for ADHD - The most important information at a glance
Sufferers of ADHD feel restless, are easily distracted, and tend to impulsive behavior.
Users report that CBD is effective against ADHD and that taking the dietary supplement calms them. CBD for ADHD is therefore an option for adults to alleviate the symptoms of the condition.
The effectiveness of cannabidiol for ADHD has not been scientifically proven.
You should discuss the use of CBD for ADHD with your medical professional.
Recommended products
What is ADHD?
The abbreviation stands for "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." This outlines the main symptoms of the disease.
The attention deficit is shown by the fact that affected individuals cannot concentrate on one thing for a longer period of time. Focused work is therefore difficult for them. Those who suffer from ADHD are easily distracted by stimuli from their surroundings. In addition, thoughts arise that interfere with the activity currently being performed.
Another key symptom is hyperactivity. For this reason, the condition is known as "Fidgety Philip Syndrome."
The symptoms often manifest themselves in childhood and are characterized by impatient behavior and general restlessness. At school, affected children find it difficult to sit still, which often leads to disturbances in the classroom.
As they get older, most affected individuals manage to control impulsive behavior better. However, attention disorders continue to be a problem, especially when attending further educational institutions and in professional life. If impulsivity cannot be controlled sufficiently, social exclusion is often one of the consequences.
A severe manifestation of ADHD in adulthood makes affected individuals appear socially incompetent and leads them into a variety of problem situations in their professional and private lives. In some cases, impulsive behavior leads to conflicts with applicable laws.
If people suffering from ADHD seek medical therapy, psychopharmacological treatment is usually given. Preparations containing methylphenidate are mainly used. The best-known product containing this active ingredient is Ritalin.
Accompanying psychotherapy usually complements the medicinal treatment.
ADHD in children and adults
The symptoms of the disease usually appear in childhood. In younger patients, the disease manifests itself through permanent restlessness and a tendency towards impulsive behavior.
Due to the symptoms, children with ADHD are considered troublemakers, and their academic performance is often reduced.
With increasing age, most affected individuals manage to control their impulsive behavior better. However, attention disorders continue to be a problem, especially when attending higher education institutions and in professional life. If impulsivity cannot be controlled sufficiently, social exclusion is often one of the consequences.
A severe manifestation of ADHD in adulthood often makes affected individuals appear socially incompetent and leads them into a variety of problem situations in their professional and private lives. In some cases, impulsive behavior leads to conflicts with applicable laws.
ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely to exhibit impulsive and disruptive behavior, especially in childhood. The main symptom of ADHD in women is primarily their inattentiveness.
In adulthood, these symptoms manifest as reduced work efficiency and concentration disorders. Those affected work more slowly and often suffer from the nagging feeling of having to check tasks repeatedly. Patients often get lost in unimportant details and find it difficult to make decisions.
Women who suffer from ADHD often react irritably to disturbances or supposedly negative statements made by others about themselves. In some cases, the disease is accompanied by the development of addictive behavior.
Can ADHD symptoms be alleviated by CBD oil?
If you suffer from the symptoms of ADHD, you may be wondering if CBD is an alternative to Ritalin for ADHD. CBD users particularly appreciate the calming effect of the oil.
If CBD has a relaxing and calming effect and ADHD is characterized by restlessness and distractibility, then CBD oil for ADHD should be the ideal treatment. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.
First, we refer to the study situation: The fact is that research into CBD and other hemp products is still in its infancy. If you search the internet for answers to the question of whether CBD oil is effective for ADHD, you will find various and contradictory answers.
A study published in 2017 by US researchers found that taking CBD leads to a slight improvement in symptoms. However, the effect size was weak and hardly differed from the effect reported by those subjects who had only received a placebo. [1]
Current research provides evidence of the effectiveness of cannabis in the treatment of various diseases, including ADHD. [2]
Is CBD oil an alternative to Ritalin for ADHD?
At this point, we would like to reiterate that the effectiveness of CBD oil for ADHD has not yet been scientifically proven.
Nevertheless, many people suffering from ADHD report an improvement in their symptoms when taking CBD. They feel calmer, more balanced, and less distractible, which leads to an increase in their quality of life and performance.
Researchers have shown that CBD can alleviate the symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety. [3]
Nevertheless, we advise you to discuss the use of CBD for ADHD with your doctor or therapist.
The treatment of ADHD with medication such as Ritalin and supplementary psychotherapy currently represents the scientifically recognized standard.
Therefore, you should discuss any deviations from this procedure with your doctor or psychotherapist.
Taking Ritalin and CBD together - a good idea?
Users of CBD oil for ADHD report that the use of the supplement improves their sleep quality.
Since Ritalin often leads to disturbed sleep or difficulty falling asleep, the calming effect of CBD can help alleviate the side effects of the medication.
No serious interactions are known when taking Ritalin and CBD simultaneously.
If you are considering taking CBD and Ritalin, please discuss this step with your doctor or therapist.
FAQ - CBD & ADHD
Do CBD drops work for ADHD?
The effectiveness of CBD drops for ADHD has not been scientifically proven. However, affected individuals report an improvement in well-being.
What should the CBD dosage be for ADHD?
You can find the ideal dosage of CBD oil for ADHD by experimenting. Start with drops per day and observe the effect. After a week, you can increase the CBD dosage for ADHD. A dangerous overdose is not possible, as you will at most become drowsy. Make sure that you do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery after taking CBD.
Can I give CBD oil to children with ADHD? Are there experiences regarding the use of CBD oil in children with ADHD?
We advise discussing any treatment of children with CBD with the responsible medical professional and not relying on anecdotal reports from experts.
Can I take CBD oil for ADHD during pregnancy?
There is no scientific evidence as to whether taking CBD during pregnancy has health benefits or disadvantages. Therefore, we advise against taking CBD if you are pregnant.
Sources and Studies
[1] Cooper, R. E., Williams, E., Seegobin, S., Tye, C., Kuntsi, J., & Asherson, P. (2017). Cannabinoids in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomised-controlled trial. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 27(8), 795-808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.05.005
[2] Oberhofer, E. (2022). Hinweise auf Wirksamkeit von Cannabis mehren sich. CME, 19(3), 36-37. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11298-022-2323-0
[3] Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836.
