CBD and ADHD
A number of scientific studies have demonstrated that cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have enormous therapeutic potential for the treatment of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
CBD and THC are the best-known cannabinoids. Although both are extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant, they show important differences: THC is psychotropic (gets you high!), while CBD has no psychotropic effects. What’s more, according to WHO guidelines, CBD is generally well tolerated and shows an excellent safety profile as it doesn’t often induce frequent or serious side effects.
If you’re searching for CBD products locally, such as where to buy hemp gummies in Australia or any other CBD products, Down to Earth is here for you.
What Is ADHD?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with abnormal nervous system development that’s present at birth or may develop shortly after birth. It’s usually seen in attributes like a short attention span, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Although ADHD is considered a childhood disorder, it may go undetected and not be diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood.
Usually, ADHD symptoms are recognized before age 4, but they often don’t impact social or academic life until middle school years.
Although the data varies, ADHD is estimated to affect 5 to 15% of children, with it being more frequent (twice as often seen) in boys.
ADHD: The Main Symptoms
Symptoms of ADHD can change over time, so the expression of the disorder in adulthood may not be the same as in childhood. For example, a child’s hyperactivity may lessen and be replaced by impulsivity, restlessness, and the risk of drug addiction in adulthood.
In children, ADHD is characterized by an inability to sustain attention and concentration for extended periods and by an inability to complete a task. Children with ADHD may also display hyperactivity and a range of impulsive behaviors.
A high percentage of children with ADHD (approximately 20-60%) have learning struggles, with problems in reading, writing, and numeracy skills most reported. Affected children often act as if their mind is elsewhere and they are not listening. Schoolwork can be messy, characterized by lots of careless mistakes. They frequently jump from one incomplete task to another or fail to follow through on requests, so fail to complete assigned tasks.
In adults, symptoms may be similar to those of mood or anxiety disorders, associated with difficulty concentrating, restlessness, mood swings, and impatience.
ADHD: The Causes
Although an exact cause of ADHD hasn’t yet been identified, very often there are inherited genetic factors that can make an individual more prone to the development of the disorder. Scientific studies suggest that ADHD is probably due to abnormalities in the transmission of nerve impulses and information processing within the brain (for example, impaired hormones like dopaminergic or endocannabinoid system transmission). For example, clinical studies show that in adolescents with ADHD, there’s variants in the gene that codes for the CB1 receptors. Also, CB2 receptors have been associated with other psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Other risk factors could be low birth weight (less than 1.5 kg), history of head injury or brain infection, iron deficiency, exposure to lead or other heavy metals, and fetal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, or cocaine during the pregnancy. ADHD can also be associated with traumatic childhood events, such as rape or abuse.
Cannabinoids and ADHD: What Is the Correlation?
There’s a growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that the Phyto-cannabinoids CBD and THC possess therapeutic properties useful for the treatment of ADHD. As with other mental disorders, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and autism spectrum disorders, clinical data indicates that cannabinoids may be very valuable treatment tools.
A recent clinical study evaluated the effects of Sativex Oromucosal Spray (an antispasmodic drug containing cannabinoids and used for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis) in 30 adults with ADHD. This study demonstrated that Sativex improved ADHD symptoms as it decreased typical ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity or impulsivity and improved attention spans.
A further study involving 2811 subjects found that people who didn’t use cannabis were more likely to have a diagnosis of ADHD, suggesting that cannabinoids may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of ADHD.
Nowadays, you can buy pure hemp gummies in Australia and other CBD products easily. However, never use CBD for ADHD or any other medical conditions without consulting your doctor first. As we mentioned earlier, you can buy CBD edibles online and any other CBD products from our store.
Final Thoughts
Although several preclinical and clinical studies suggest that cannabinoid treatment may be a valid approach to the treatment of ADHD, the way cannabinoids work in response to this disorder isn’t yet known. It’s been hypothesized that cannabinoids may enhance dopaminergic transmission, which is believed to be the main way by which psychostimulants also reduce symptoms of ADHD and improve the cognitive performance of patients. However, other mechanisms may be involved, including regulation of cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system in general. In short, the true potential is not yet fully explored or understood.
At Down to Earth, you can buy CBD edibles online. We can say without a doubt that we sell the best hemp gummies in Australia. All our products are tested by independent labs to ensure that our products are pure and premium. You can check the lab reports on our website.
Finally, if you need more information, check out our blog. If you still have questions, drop a comment or contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.