Self-Reported Effects of Cannabis on ADHD Symptoms, ADHD Medication Side Effects, and ADHD-Related Executive Dysfunction

Stueber, Amanda; Cuttler, Carrie

doi:10.1177/10870547211050949

Cited by 25 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 73 publications

(109 reference statements)

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“…In previous studies of patients who self-medicate a health condition with cannabis, proportions of patients who reported the use of products with high doses of THC were also high (Sexton et al 2016 ; Turna et al 2020 ; Stueber and Cuttler 2022 ). In a study of students who mostly use cannabis to self-medicate their ADHD symptoms, the use of products with high THC/low CBD was reported by 41% of participants while 24% reported use of high THC/high CBD products (Stueber and Cuttler 2022 ). The use of products with THC concentration > 20% was reported by 27% of this study’s participants (Stueber and Cuttler 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…In a study of students who mostly use cannabis to self-medicate their ADHD symptoms, the use of products with high THC/low CBD was reported by 41% of participants while 24% reported use of high THC/high CBD products (Stueber and Cuttler 2022 ). The use of products with THC concentration > 20% was reported by 27% of this study’s participants (Stueber and Cuttler 2022 ). Turna et al also observed in a Canadian sample that products with high THC concentration were reported to be used by 32% of the study participants, with the highest proportion observed among mixed cannabis users (Turna et al 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A description of self-medication with cannabis among adults with legal access to cannabis in Quebec, Canada

et al. 2022

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Objective Cannabis is increasingly used for medical purposes, particularly in countries like Canada where cannabis was recently legalized for recreational use. We aimed to assess self-medication with cannabis post-cannabis legalization among adults in the Canadian province of Quebec. Methods This is a cross-sectional online survey of a self-selected convenience sample conducted in Quebec, Canada, from November 2020 to January 2021. Individuals aged ≥ 21 years who endorsed using cannabis bought in legal recreational cannabis stores to self-medicate a health condition were included. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stratified according to sex, age, and the type of cannabis use (exclusively medical versus medical and recreational use). Results Four hundred eighty-nine participants were included. The median age was 34 years, and 48% were women. About 25% reported exclusive medical use of cannabis. Treated conditions included anxiety (70%), insomnia (56%), pain (53%), depression (37%), and many others. Reasons for not consulting in cannabis clinics included lack of information (52%), the complexity of the process (39%), accessibility of cannabis clinics (23%), and others. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dosage > 20% was reported by 32%. Smoking was the main route of use (81%). Possession of prescribed drugs was reported by 56%. Professionals consulted for information on cannabis included recreational cannabis store agents (36%), physicians (29%), and others. Overall, significant differences were observed for many of the comparisons according to sex, age, and the type of cannabis use. Conclusions Many conditions are self-medicated with cannabis. The use of high doses of cannabis, smoking as a preferred method of use, and concurrent use of other medications may pose some risks to individuals. Addressing the reported barriers to medical access to cannabis is urgently needed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A description of self-medication with cannabis among adults with legal access to cannabis in Quebec, Canada

et al. 2022

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“…From a neurobiological perspective, treatment by stimulants reduces the use of substance abuse in persons with ADHD [ 63 , 64 ], consistent with the self-medication hypothesis [ 65 ]. Indeed, some studies report results suggesting that the use of cannabis could reduce ADHD symptoms [ 66 – 70 ]. In addition, in students with ADHD, cannabis use is a moderator of ADHD symptoms severity—executive dysfunction relationship and is linked with a reduction of their perceived medications’ side effects [ 66 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, some studies report results suggesting that the use of cannabis could reduce ADHD symptoms [66][67][68][69][70]. In addition, in students with ADHD, cannabis use is a moderator of ADHD symptoms severity-executive dysfunction relationship and is linked with a reduction of their perceived medications' side effects [66]. From a cognitive perspective, a deficit in executive functions such as planning and response inhibition is particularly linked with ADHD [71].…”

Section: Comparison With Other Studies and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of course, some questions remain unanswered. The pathway from ADHD symptoms to cannabis use disorder through high cannabis use frequency could be explored via a mediation analysis Cannabis use could have a self-medication purpose to reduce ADHD symptoms and enhance executive functions [66][67][68][69][70], which is relevant regarding the fact that. ADHD is linked with poorer academic achievement [4,75].…”

Section: Implications Unanswered Questions and Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and cannabis use after 1 year among students of the i-Share cohort

et al. 2022

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Background Cannabis use in university students is associated with academic achievement failure and health issues. The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and cannabis use after 1 year among students according to previous cannabis use. Methods Students in France were recruited from February 2013 to July 2020 in the i-Share cohort. 4,270 participants were included (2,135 who never used cannabis at inclusion and 2,135 who did). The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) was used to assess ADHD symptoms at inclusion. Cannabis use frequency was evaluated 1 year after inclusion. Multinomial regressions were conducted to assess the association between inclusion ADHD symptoms and cannabis use after 1 year. Results Increase in ASRS scores was linked with a greater probability to use cannabis after 1 year and to have a higher cannabis use frequency (once a year—once a month adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.24 (1.15–1.34), more than once a month adjusted OR: 1.43 (1.27–1.61)). Among participants who never used cannabis at inclusion, this association disappeared (once a year—once a month adjusted OR: 1.15 (0.95–1.39), more than once a month adjusted OR: 1.16 (0.67–2)) but remained in participants who ever used cannabis at inclusion (once a year—once a month adjusted OR: 1.17 (1.06–1.29), more than once a month adjusted OR: 1.35 (1.18–1.55)). Conclusions High levels of ADHD symptoms in students could lead to continued cannabis use rather than new initiations.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cannabis Use, and the Endocannabinoid System: A Scoping Review

Ryan,

Fruchtman,

Sparr‐Jaswa

et al. 2024

Developmental Psychobiology

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There is emerging evidence that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Increasing evidence suggests that a number of neurobiological correlates between endogenous cannabinoid function and cognitive dysfunction are seen in ADHD, making the ECS a possible target for therapeutic interventions. Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder are more prevalent in individuals with ADHD, compared to the general population, and there is growing popular perception that cannabis is therapeutic for ADHD. However, the relationship between cannabis use and ADHD symptomology is poorly understood. Further understanding of the role of the ECS in ADHD pathophysiology and the molecular alterations that may be a target for treatment is needed. To further the science on this emerging area of research, this scoping review describes the preclinical and clinical evidence seeking to understand the relationship between the ECS and ADHD.

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Self-Reported Effects of Cannabis on ADHD Symptoms, ADHD Medication Side Effects, and ADHD-Related Executive Dysfunction

Cited by 25 publications

References 73 publications

A description of self-medication with cannabis among adults with legal access to cannabis in Quebec, Canada

A description of self-medication with cannabis among adults with legal access to cannabis in Quebec, Canada

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and cannabis use after 1 year among students of the i-Share cohort

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cannabis Use, and the Endocannabinoid System: A Scoping Review

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