Does CBD Oil Help with ADHD in Children and Adults?
ADD and ADHD are a spectrum of cognitive disorders affecting learning and attention.
How can CBD oil help support these neurological conditions? What’s the dose? Is it safe for children?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder affecting roughly 1 in 15 children and 1 in 20 adults
The conventional treatment for ADHD is stimulant medications such as Ritalin, Concerta, or Adderall.
While these medications work in the short-term, they come with a long list of potential side effects and there’s no evidence these medications can improve focus or attention long-term.
Many people are reaching for a bottle of CBD oil to help with ADD or ADHD instead — here’s why.
Bottom Line: Using CBD for ADD/ADHD
CBD is used to regulate the neurological system.
More specifically, it supports the balance between the stimulating side of the nervous system (the sympathetic nervous system) and the relaxing side of the nervous system (parasympathetic nervous system).
Through this effect, CBD is able to reduce hyperactivity associated with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and insomnia.
In the case of ADD (non-hyperactive inability to focus), CBD may only be of mild help directly but may offer more indirect support through other symptoms that are associated with ADD such as insomnia or anxiety.
What is ADD/ADHD?
Attention deficit disorders are common neurological conditions affecting our ability to concentrate on a given task for extended periods of time.
These conditions are often debilitating, making it nearly impossible for some to follow through with even simple tasks at work or school.
Both ADD and ADHD are most common in children, but can also affect adults.
A large meta-analysis published in 2006 found a correlation between low dopamine gene expression and ADHD [2]. This suggests that ADHD is characterized by low dopamine function. Although this is disputed, it does give doctors something to focus on. This is why children with ADHD are often prescribed drugs designed to stimulate dopamine concentrations.
This doesn’t always work, as there are many different factors that contribute to ADHD. The condition is generally thought of as a collection of symptoms rather than a disease (we will discuss this further later).
Symptoms of ADD/ADHD
- Restlessness
- Fidgetiness
- Frequent interrupting
- Frequent talking
- Intrusive habits
- Inability to pay attention
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Poor self-image
- Forgetfulness
- Mood swings
Some people with ADHD experience what we can call hyperfocus.
This involves periodically entering a state of intense focus — with an inability to pay attention to anything outside of that activity.
This is a rare, contradictory symptom of the condition — but nonetheless, it exists in some people with ADHD.
ADD and ADHD is more common in children. Sometimes, it can be difficult to spot ADHD initially. The earlier the diagnosis, however, the sooner changes to learning structure, diet, lifestyle, and medications or supplements can be made.
Early Signs of ADD/ADHD in Children:
- Trouble paying attention in school or work
- The appearance of not listening
- Failing to complete assigned tasks
- Avoidance of activities that require sustained focus
- Frequently losing items
- Interrupts conversations often
What Causes ADHD?
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes ADHD. It’s a complicated psychological condition that likely results from a number of different factors.
Even diagnosing the condition is difficult, as there are no lab tests for a conclusive diagnosis. Instead, psychiatrists will use symptoms and various behavioral tests and surveys to make an educated diagnosis — although these are often unreliable, as ADD and ADHD are more of a spectrum of disorders than they are a specific set of symptoms.
Causes of ADHD May Include:
- Genetic factors
- Chemical exposure at a young age
- Diet high in refined carbohydrates
- Allergies
- Traumatic head injuries
- Vitamin B deficiencies
- Zinc deficiency
There are Two Main Types of Attention Deficit Disorders:
Attention deficit isn’t considered a disease — it’s a disorder.
The difference here is more than semantics because it tells us something about the known cause for the condition.
The difference is that a disorder is defined at a behavioral level — its presence doesn’t imply a neurological disease. You can think of disease as referring to physical or functional damage (lowered function).
What this means is ADHD is more of a symptom or quality than it is a diagnosable medical disease. There are multiple different factors that come together to cause ADHD.
ADD and ADHD are usually thought of more as a scale than a box — with ADD on one end and ADHD on the other.
1. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
ADD is considered a milder version of ADHD — but “mild” isn’t quite the right word. For some, this condition can be severe, making it nearly impossible for people to study effectively.
2. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
This form of the disorder involves hyperactivity.
This is generally caused by changes in neurotransmitter levels. Although this may be true, it’s far more complex than that.
Some research suggests ADHD is caused by low dopamine, while some suggest high dopamine causes the condition.
Additionally, there’s evidence that other neurotransmitters may be involved — such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA.
This is why ADHD is better regarded of as a symptom, rather than a disease.
What Type of Attention Deficit Disorder is CBD Best Used for?
One must identify whether the ADHD involves the sympathetic nervous system (stimulating side) or whether the parasympathetic nervous system (restorative side) is most active.
*Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) = the part of the nervous system that makes us feel alert and stimulated. It’s heavily involved with the stress response.
*Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) = the part of the nervous system that brings us back to normal after the SNS activates. It stimulates digestion and immune function and helps us relax.
Here’s an example of some of the symptoms common to ADHD that change depending on what part of the nervous system is hyperactive:
| Common ADHD Symptoms | Sympathetic Nervous System Dominance | Parasympathetic Nervous System Dominance |
| Inability to concentrate | Too distracted | Too bored |
| Digestive dysfunctions | Diarrhea and weight loss | Constipation and weight gain |
| Immune dysfunctions | Sick often | Rarely sick |
| Neurological dysfunction | Anxiety and insomnia | Depression |
This gets far more complicated, as ADHD can involve portions of both, so it’s best to talk with your health practitioner if you want further details.
CBD is Best for SNS-Dominant ADHD
Generally speaking, CBD is more likely to benefit SNS-dominant forms of ADHD. It supports most of the common symptoms, and in some patients, the underlying cause.
What Are the Conventional Treatment Options for ADD/ADHD?
1. Dietary Changes
Diet plays a major role in the symptoms of ADHD.
Nutrient deficiencies and blood sugar irregularities are common in ADHD sufferers. It’s best to speak with a registered dietitian or nutritionist before consuming any nutritional supplements.
2. Lifestyle Modification
One of the biggest problems with ADD and ADHD is that day-to-day activities at school or at work become difficult. This requires those affected to adapt their learning styles to something that’s going to work for them. This can involve tutoring sessions, interactive lesson structures, or homeschooling.
It’s also important to consider other factors of mental health to lower the burden of ADHD on performance.
3. Pharmaceutical Stimulants
Pharmaceutical stimulant medications are commonly used for treating the condition.
These drugs work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain by stopping enzymes from breaking it down. This increases the threshold needed to activate the reward center in the brain.
When the reward center is activated more easily, it becomes much simpler to focus on a given task. These drugs are highly effective for increasing attention and focus, but often come with a long list of negative side-effects that worsen the longer the drug is taken.
Common Drugs Used for Treating ADD/ADHD
- Concerta
- Modafinil
- Adderall
- Dexedrine
- Ritalin
- Vyvanse
How to Use CBD for ADHD Symptoms
Step 1: Source High-Quality CBD
The first thing to do is look for some high-quality CBD oil or CBD capsules.
CBD gummies are an excellent option for both children and adults alike. Just make sure to check the dose and store the gummies far out of your child’s reach, just like any other medication.
Finding high-quality CBD can be challenging — there are a lot of really poor-quality products out there thanks to the lack of regulation in this space.
Top-Rated CBD Oils For ADD & ADHD
- Royal CBD Oil
- CBDistillery CBD Oil
- Hemp Bombs CBD Oil
- Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil
- Kat’s Naturals Relax
Step 2: Determine the Dosage
Determining the dosage of CBD can be a challenge for first-time users. You can use our CBD oil dosing guide to assess the daily dose of CBD based on your desired strength and weight.
When using CBD for the first time, we recommend taking the smallest applicable starting dose and building up slowly over the course of a week. This is a wise thing to do whenever starting any new supplement to see how it affects your individual body.
For ADHD, we recommend only taking CBD if you’ve discussed it with your medical practitioner. CBD and the other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant may interact with other pharmaceutical stimulants, antidepressants, or other medications.
Giving Smaller Doses to Children
- CBD oils are easily given in lower doses by measuring fewer drops of the oil.
- Gummies can be split into halves, thirds, or quarters with a knife to get the right dose measured out.
- Capsules, however, are very hard to split into smaller doses and, therefore, need to be bought already in the exact desired dose.
Below, we’ve outlined two general dosing recommendation charts — one for children and one for adults. Based on weight and desired strength, these charts provide a general starting point for dosing CBD oils and capsules.
Always start at the lowest strength and increase the dose gradually as needed.
Daily Doses of CBD by Weight and Strength (in mg) (Children)
| Weight (lbs) | Low Strength | Medium Strength |
|---|---|---|
| 30 lbs | 2.6 mg | 7.8 mg |
| 40 lbs | 3.6 mg | 10.8 mg |
| 50 lbs | 4.6 mg | 13.8 mg |
| 75 lbs | 6.4 mg | 19 mg |
| 100 lbs | 7.5 mg | 22.5 mg |
Step 3: Take CBD Daily for One Month, Then Reassess
It’s important to be consistent with CBD (or any medication, for that matter) when treating ADD or ADHD. Symptoms may take several weeks of regular use before they begin to improve. Others find relief from symptoms almost instantly — it really depends on the individual.
A good step to take to track your progress is to make some baseline notes on the symptoms. If you’re visiting a health practitioner, this is something they will most likely be doing as well, to track any changes.
