There’s a good chance you’ve recently heard something about cannabidiol (CBD). Unlike its intoxicating cousin THC, CBD is non-psychoactive. Thanks to this, more and more people in Australia and other countries are using CBD oil for its many health and wellness benefits.
One specific condition some individuals take CBD oil for is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a condition characterized by difficulty in paying attention and staying focused on tasks. It has two main subtypes — inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive.
ADHD is estimated to affect 1 in 20 Australians or about 1.2 million people. According to a 2015 Mental Health Report, ADHD is particularly common in Australian children and adolescents, affecting 7.4% of this age group.
So, can CBD oil help children and adults cope with the symptoms of ADHD? Let’s take a closer look.
How Can CBD Oil Help with ADHD?
Many of the symptoms of ADHD, such as being hyperactive, restless, and easily distracted, are linked with too much activity.
Since CBD oil is known to have a calming effect on the mind and body, it can help reduce these overactive symptoms. This means CBD oil can be particularly helpful for the hyperactive-impulsive subtype of ADHD.
In addition, CBD has been demonstrated to reduce anxiety and stress in research studies. These effects can indirectly help with ADHD by helping people focus, clear their mind, improve mood, and sharpen memory.
Furthermore, research suggests the symptoms of ADHD are linked to an imbalance of dopamine and norepinephrine — two key neurotransmitters (brain chemicals).
Theoretically, CBD could be useful here as well because it helps the body’s endocannabinoid system maintain homeostasis — a healthy state of balance. This means it could help keep these and other neurotransmitters and brain systems in a balanced state.
CBD Oil and ADHD Research
Research on the use of CBD oil and other cannabis preparations for ADHD is just beginning. However, the evidence we have is overwhelmingly positive.
For example, one notable trend uncovered by researchers is that people with ADHD often self-medicate with cannabis. This suggests cannabis (which contains CBD and other cannabinoids) helps them control their ADHD symptoms.
This was highlighted by a 2013 study looking at 2,811 cannabis users. This study found that people who regularly smoke cannabis reported symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity when they weren’t smoking.
In addition, a 2017 study by King’s College London looked at the effects of Sativex — a pharmaceutical drug containing THC and CBD — on 30 adults with ADHD. Compared to the placebo group, the 15 adults given the cannabinoid medication experienced improvements in hyperactive-impulsive and other symptoms of ADHD.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Children with ADHD?
Naturally, many parents are concerned about giving a cannabis-derived preparation like CBD oil to their children.
However, CBD oil is completely safe because it is non-psychoactive. In other words, it does make you high. In addition, research has shown that CBD is a remarkably safe substance, with doses as high as 1500 mg being tolerated well and not producing any significant side effects.
In addition, a 2015 survey found that all 117 parents who used CBD to help their children with seizures perceived it as being helpful.
CBD Oil vs ADHD Medication
Considering that prescription ADHD medications come with a host of unwanted side effects, natural, safe options like CBD oil are growing increasingly popular.
For example, stimulants — the most popular type of ADHD medication — can cause insomnia, appetite issues, weight loss, headaches, and other problems.
By comparison, CBD oil has only been associated with minor side effects such as sleepiness and dry mouth, and these symptoms are relatively rare and only become likely at higher doses.
CBD Oil Dosage For ADHD
As the case for most health conditions, there isn’t enough research to recommend the ideal dosage of CBD oil for ADHD.
However, the vast majority of people who use CBD oil take 15-50 mg doses 1-3 times daily. The best way to figure out the ideal dosage for you is to start off with the lowest possible dose and gradually increase until you feel the desired relief.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil for ADHD
To sum up, CBD oil holds great potential for relieving the symptoms of ADHD. If you’re buying CBD oil in Australia, we highly recommend using a full-spectrum CBD hemp oil like Good Alternatives.
Full-spectrum CBD oil has greater effectiveness than CBD isolate preparations offered by many Australian companies because it contains all of the beneficial compounds naturally present in hemp.
This particular CBD oil is made in the United States, the country with the most advanced CBD industry, and is backed by dozens of testimonials.
