Medical Marijuana for ADD or ADHD

What is ADD/ADHD?

ADD/ADHD is a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. It often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. It may contribute to low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and difficulty at school or work. Current treatments include medication and talk therapy.

Does ADD/ADHD qualify me for medical marijuana use?

Under Missouri’s medical marijuana rules, ADD/ADHD is a qualifying medical condition. Any Missouri with an ADD/ADHD diagnosis is eligible to receive their medical marijuana card. This is great news since there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that shows cannabis can help treat ADD/ADHD!

How does medical marijuana help treat ADD/ADHD?

Dr. David Bearman, a figurehead of cannabis research, has studied the relationship between the cannabinoid system and ADD/ADHD and discovered potential therapeutic value as cannabinoids interact with the brain’s dopamine management systems.

“Cannabis appears to treat ADD and ADHD by increasing the availability of dopamine,” Dr. Bearman wrote. “This then has the same effect but is a different mechanism of action than stimulants like Ritalin (methylphenidate) and dexedrine amphetamine, which act by binding to the dopamine and interfering with the metabolic breakdown of dopamine.”

Put simply, the compounds found in cannabis, like CBD and THC, could potentially correct the dopamine deficiency observed in ADD/ADHD patients if dosed appropriately and administered safely. While under the influence of marijuana, boring and arduous tasks become more manageable, and mood swings tend to level out.

Cannabis can be used to help treat symptoms like…

  • Hyper-impulsivity: You have CB1 receptors that decrease and modulate neuronal activity and produce a calming effect.

  • Panic attacks: THC, the chemical compound in marijuana, deconditions CB1 receptors.

  • Anxiety: CBD works as an anti-anxiety agent and binds to your CB2 receptors.

  • Lack of attention: THC will slow down the overactivity of your ADD brain, so you can stay focused on the task at hand.

  • Hyper-sensibility to situations that are stressful: CBD and THC help to relieve fear and anxiety.

  • Insomnia: Since THC slows your brain down, it helps promote sleepiness.

  • Depressive tendency: When THC binds to your CB1 receptors, it enables the release of serotonin.

Learn more here about getting your medical marijuana card!