Annika AngeloConsidering cannabis affects dopamine significantly, it’s interesting to ask this question: do people with ADHD experience weed differently from neurotypicals? To answer this question, we need to understand the connection of endocannabinoid system to ADHD.
The Endocannabinoid-ADHD Connection
Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD) isn’t technically a real diagnosis right now; however, it is a real phenomenon that affects people. CECD occurs when, for some reason, either the person’s body doesn’t produce adequate levels of endocannabinoids or their receptors are over/underactive. This has been linked to conditions like fibromyalgia, fertility issues, and even gastrointestinal disorders like IBS.
And, more recently, ADHD.
For example, this 2021 study found that people with ADHD had higher levels of endocannabinoids. The theory here is that the ADHD brain is trying to overcompensate from the extra oxidative stress, the elevated nervous system responses, and the overactive hyperactivity responses. How? It releases more endocannabinoids than neurotypicals do – which is great!
…if our endocannabinoid levels weren’t chronically elevated. Higher levels over time can reduce the effectiveness of the receptors in our brain, which then could actually make our ADHD worse. This is actually one theory for why sometimes our short-term memory can be so bad. Downregulated endocannabinoid receptors are linked to worsened memory!
This theory is actually supported by this study that found that people with ADHD who use cannabis have different responses in their brains compared to neurotypicals. Namely, neurotypicals have increased activity in their cerebellum, which is important for movement and cognitive processing. This means that the ADHD brain does not engage as much in ‘compensatory action’ to reduce the effects of cannabis on the brain – likely, because it’s already used to higher levels.
Do people with ADHD experience the cannabis “high” differently?
The super interesting question here is if that plays into why people with ADHD are more likely to use higher doses of weed regularly than the general population – do we actually experience less effects than the general population? Or is it just that our brain so wired toward addiction?
Unfortunately, we cannot completely answer this question due to the fact that we do not have adequate research in this area, coupled with how it is difficult to accurately assess differences in personal experiences. However, it is fair to say that people with ADHD seem to respond to cannabis differently in their brains.
And that, to me, is exceptionally interesting.
Even so, it’s important to follow the guidelines for cannabis use, despite whether or not people with ADHD experience weed differently.
General Guidelines for Use
While getting high can be enjoyable, there are some important long-term effects of weed on ADHD that are important to be aware of. Below are the general optimal guidelines to follow if you want to still use weed products without making things worse for yourself in the long run. Check out this article for more information on optimal guidelines for people with ADHD.
- Choose edible versions over inhaled versions
- Take no more than 10mg at a time
- Consume this no more than twice a week
- Ensure your blend is at minimum 50/50 CBD to THC, favoring CBD.
- Do not use if under 21 years of age.
If you microdose – using 1mg or less, – you can use it more often than the twice a week without significant negative impacts. If you are prescribed this, please continue to follow your physician’s directions.
