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Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was to identify associations between the doses of cannabinoids and terpenes administered, and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).MethodsParticipants were adult patients licensed for medical cannabis (MC) treatment who also reported a diagnosis of ADHD by a physician. Data on demographics, ADHD, sleep, and anxiety were collected using self-report questionnaires. Data collected on MC treatment included administration route, cultivator, cultivar name, and monthly dose. Comparison statistics were used to evaluate differences in reported parameters between low (20–30 g, n=18) and high (40–70 g, n=35) MC monthly dose and low adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS, 0–5) score (i.e. ≤3.17 score, n=30) or high ASRS score (i.e. ≥3.18 score, n=29) subgroups.ResultsFrom the 59 patients that answered the questionnaire, MC chemovar could be calculated for 27 (45%) of them. The high MC monthly dose group consumed higher levels of most phyto-cannabinoids and terpenes, but that was not the case for all of the cannabis components. The high dose consumers and the ones with lower ASRS score reported a higher occurrence of stopping all ADHD medications. Moreover, there was an association between lower ASRS score subgroup and lower anxiety scores. In addition, we found an association between lower ASRS score and consumption of high doses of cannabinol (CBN), but not with Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).ConclusionThese findings reveal that the higher-dose consumption of MC components (phyto-cannabinoids and terpenes) is associated with ADHD medication reduction. In addition, high dosage of CBN was associated with a lower ASRS score. However, more studies are needed in order to fully understand if cannabis and its constituents can be used for management of ADHD.
Highlights
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, heritable, neuropsychiatric disorder affecting 2.5%–5% of adults.[1,2] It is described as a neurodevelopmental syndrome that emerges in childhood or early adolescence; in 60%–70% of cases it persists into adulthood.[3,4,5] It is characterized by symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity, and impulsivity, or both.[6]
Participants were adult patients licensed for medical cannabis (MC) treatment who reported a diagnosis of ADHD by a physician
For the 27 patients that monthly MC chemovar could be calculated for, we found that the high MC dose group consumed significantly higher amounts of the following phyto-cannabinoids compared to the low MC dose subgroup: THC, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), CBD, and cannabinol (CBN) (OR -1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.3 to -0.5; odds ratio (OR) -1.1, 95% CI -2 to -0.25; OR -0.05, 95% CI -0.85 to 0.74; and OR -1.1, 95% CI -2 to -0.27; P
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, heritable, neuropsychiatric disorder affecting 2.5%–5% of adults.[1,2] It is described as a neurodevelopmental syndrome that emerges in childhood or early adolescence; in 60%–70% of cases it persists into adulthood.[3,4,5] It is characterized by symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity, and impulsivity, or both.[6] These core symptoms typically manifest as restlessness, mind-wandering, emotional instability, and an inability to relax or concentrate.[7] Lower educational attainment and lower levels of employment are reported in patients with adult ADHD.[8] Psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorder, and antisocial disorders are common psychiatric comorbidities in ADHD.[9,10] The neurobiology and brain circuitry of both ADHD and other comorbid psychiatric disorders are reported as being similar.[11] A large body of evidence reveals that untreated adult ADHD leads to various negative psychosocial consequences.[6] Effective treatment can help prevent these negative outcomes.[12]
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