CBD Treatment for ADHD: Everything You Need to Know
ADHD experts report that there are around 6.4 million American children that have a diagnosis of the learning difficulty. While it is most common in children, ADHD also affects a huge number of adults as well.
ADHD comes in varying degrees of severity. Some sufferers are able to manage it through lifestyle adjustments, while those with more serious cases often have to go on medication.
While ADHD medication is very effective, it can pose risks if you’re using it long-term. For this reason, many people have started using alternative treatments for the condition.
To learn about CBD treatment for ADHD and whether it might be effective in your case, keep reading.
What Are the Symptoms of ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) usually appears in children. It may or may not persist into adulthood, and some people do not receive a diagnosis until they become adults.
The most common symptoms of ADHD are:
- Inability to pay attention
- Hyperactivity
- A tendency to blurt out statements without thinking
- Impulsiveness
- Disorganization
- Restlessness
These symptoms are especially problematic for children, as they collectively make it very difficult for them to perform normally in school. While all children will display some ADHD symptoms in isolation at times, you should only be concerned if your child shows a number of these symptoms and they are severe enough to affect their school or home life.
What Is CBD?
CBD is one of the two main compounds in cannabis. Unlike the other main compound, which is called THC, CBD does not cause any psychoactive effects in users. What this means is that it won’t get you stoned.
However, it still offers a wealth of medical benefits. As scientists carry out more research on CBD, its range of health applications continues to broaden.
Some of the most significant reasons why people take CBD include the management of:
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
As you will see, there’s also plenty of evidence of CBD helping with ADHD.
How Does CBD Treatment for ADHD Work?
The use of CBD for ADHD is a relatively new phenomenon, so researchers aren’t all in agreement as to how exactly it helps. However, there is a growing body of anecdotal evidence from ADHD patients who have used CBD that the cannabinoid can be highly effective in easing the symptoms of the condition.
CBD is effective in many cases of ADHD as it has a natural calming effect. Its consumption has a soothing influence on the central nervous system, making ADHD patients less hyperactive and more inclined to focus on a single thing for a long period of time.
Could CBD Replace Traditional ADHD Medication?
There are a few different types of ADHD medication that a doctor might prescribe for you. Some of these (Adderall, Ritalin) are derived from amphetamines, which means that they have potent stimulant properties.
These properties work well for people with attention deficit issues, helping them to focus on the same thing for much longer than they could otherwise. Different patients respond differently to each drug, but they are generally effective in a high percentage of cases.
Unfortunately, they also come with side effects. These include irritability, racing heart, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.
ADHD medication also has abuse potential. A significant minority of people who use it end up becoming dependent on it.
For these reasons, many ADHD sufferers look for alternatives to their prescribed medications. A lot of people turn to CBD in the hope that they might be able to stop taking drugs like Adderall and Ritalin.
While this is an attractive idea, and one that may work in some cases, you should proceed with caution. ADHD is different for everyone, and you might not enjoy the same benefits as someone else who takes it.
While there is no risk inherent in experimenting with CBD, you should never stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting your healthcare professional.
How to Use CBD as an ADHD Treatment
There are many different ingestion methods when it comes to CBD. While all are effective at releasing the health benefits of the compound, a certain way of taking it might have advantages for you depending on your individual circumstances.
Below are some of the most common ways in which people take CBD.
Smoking
If you’re a weed enthusiast, this might be the option for you. Simply get some CBD flower, roll it up in a joint as you would with normal cannabis, and smoke up.
Vaping
This is a more modern and healthier alternative to smoking. You can get vaporizers that work with either CBD flower or CBD oil.
Eating/Drinking
This is perhaps the most convenient way of consuming CBD, as infused products are now freely available in malls and online stores across the country. You can either add oil to food yourself or buy ready-made snacks or beverages.
A Natural Solution for Your Attention Deficit Problems in 2020
No matter what stage in life you suffer from it, ADHD can be a huge problem. With the degree of importance attached nowadays to focus and productivity, the inability to pay attention to things can be hugely damaging.
If pharmaceutical treatments aren’t working for you, or you’d like to find something that will help you decrease your reliance on them, CBD treatment for ADHD could well be worth looking into.
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