How Medical Marijuana Helps to Enhance Focus in Patients with ADHD?
ADHD is a condition that affects millions of people in the US. More than 6 million children have been diagnosed with this chronic condition. The numbers definitely point to the fact that a more reliable cure is needed. So, what would that be?
Cannabis!
Yes, you heard that right!
Medical marijuana is loaded with multiple benefits which makes it usable for alleviating the symptoms of ADHD. Ideally, you can contact medical marijuana doctors online to gain more insight on the same.
So, does cannabis actually increase focus in patients in ADHD? The answer is yes! Before we dive deeper into it, let’s have a grasp of what it means.
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition which mostly affects children and teenagers. Well, it can persist into adulthood and basically impacts focus, memory, organizational skills, and self-control.
Children with ADHD tend to hyperactive, impulsive, and easily distracted.
A closer look at the symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD include:
- Hyperactivity
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Talking excessively
- Mood swings
- Low self-esteem
- Anger issues
- Boredom
What options of treatment do we have?
Predominantly, the treatment options include the following:
1) Stimulants: These basically work by increasing the brain mechanism. It establishes that by triggering the release of dopamine, a chemical which plays an important role in thinking and attention. These medications are aimed at increasing the concentration and are pretty effective in battling the fatigue associated with ADHD.
The list of stimulants include amphetamines, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate.
2) Non-stimulants: Non-stimulants are different from stimulants in their action. These are particularly slow-acting and affect brain differently. They are aimed at increasing attention, focus, and impulsiveness in ADHD patients.
This class of medications include atomoxetine, clonidine, and guanfacine.
3) Antidepressants: Although these are not approved by the FDA, they are still being employed into use because antidepressants mimic the effect of stimulants by triggering the release of dopamine and norepinephrine.
So, why are we stressing on the use of medical marijuana for ADHD? Because these medications come with the harmful side-effects which can disrupt the functioning of the body.
Marijuana and ADHD
We need to take note of the fact that medical marijuana is deeply therapeutic. The range of effects it produces are highly beneficial in treating a range of medical conditions.
Well, ADHD does not have a cure, but cannabis can induce effects which can alleviate the symptoms and provide the much-needed relief.
ADHD patients are known to be over-impulsive and socially awkward. Use of medical marijuana can bring a sense of balance and relaxation in the body. It’s worth noting that most patients take cannabis because it increases dopamine levels in the brain. This directly impacts brain functionality and induces a sense of relaxation.
Most ADHD patients have a hard time getting their thoughts together. Thankfully, cannabis presents a solution. The active compounds THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system to bring a sense of balance in the brain.
Related article: THC and CBD, and the Entourage Effect!
How does it establish that?
The ECS is basically a network of receptors, enzymes and endocannabinoids spread throughout the body. The two main receptors include CB1 and CB2. The first one marks dominating presence in the brain or the central nervous system. CB2 has limited presence in the brain but plays an important role in influencing the receptors.
So, when cannabis is ingested or smoked, the active compounds interact with the endocannabinoid receptors to release the feel-good hormones which bring a sense of relaxation in the body.
Cannabis basically helps in facilitating the homeostasis. It means that it ensures every function in the body operates in a healthy balance.
Enhancing focus through cannabis is all about the right dosage. It is biphasic, which means it produces opposite effects at high and low doses. THC is known to enhance brain function at medium and low doses. Excess consumption can produce intoxicating effects beyond control. Therefore, it is advised to seek professional help before taking cannabis.
Also, every strain is different. The genetic makeup essentially dominates the effect a particular strain will produce on you. An amalgamation of terpenes, THC, and CBD sketch the feel and benefit cannabis induces.
Tips To Treat ADHD with Cannabis
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Choosing a Strain: To treat ADHD, it is better to choose strains which are high in THC. The level of THC basically corresponds to the number of psychoactive effects you will experience when you consume the strain. And with high levels of THC, it will help you get a sense of balance and whole-body relaxation that you need.
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Beginners: Are you a beginner? Getting medical cannabis treatment for the first time? Then choosing a strain for yourself might get trickier. For you, it is best to choose a strain that is well balanced with its THC and CBD content. That is because you will experience its effects for the first time so start with the strain which is easier to handle and then gradually move to more potent ones.
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The Best Strains For You: Green Crack, Sour Diesel, Gorilla Glue, True OG, and Blue Dream could be just the right strains for you. All of them are high THC strain that will definitely give you the punch you need. Also, they are common so finding them at your nearest dispensary won’t be difficult.
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Taking the Unconventional Route: The beauty of medical marijuana is that it gives us so many options. First to choose the strain of our choice then the way to consume it. Smoking is though the most common, but other methods like tinctures, topicals, vapes, and patches. CBD oils are also a route you can take if you don’t want to smoke it up.
Research
Let’s not stick to assumptions. There is substantial research which points to various aspects of medical marijuana’s efficacy in alleviating the symptoms of ADHD.
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A survey of online forum shows that nearly 25% percent of participants believed that cannabis is effective in alleviating the symptoms of ADHD. While these are positive reviews, but the research pointing towards the efficiency of medical marijuana for treating ADHD.
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A study conducted by Nature journal in 2017 shows that THC induces the release of dopamine for a short period of time. This also means that long-term use can potentially cause more harm than good. So, it’s necessary that you take the right dose to reduce the symptoms of ADHD.
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In 2015, 30 patients were analyzed for effect of cannabis in treating the disorder. The patients included 28 males and 2 females. It was observed that there was marked improvement in the concentration and impulsive behavior reduced too. The individuals also observed a slight improvement in their sleep pattern.
To ensure you’re getting the right form of help, you can contact medical marijuana doctors online. This can ensure you’re on the right path to therapy and alleviate the symptoms of ADHD.
So, the potential of medical marijuana to enhance the focus in patients of ADHD typically depends on the dose and type of strain. There are elements of research which point to the fact that cannabis can be very effective in reducing the symptoms of the disorder. With constant research on the works, it is expected that cannabis will prove to be more effective in the coming future.
