Table of Contents
- What is ADHD?
- Cannabis and ADHD
- The Best Cannabis Strains for ADHD
- Buying Cannabis Strains Online for Treating ADHD
With more than 1 in 20 adults dealing with ADHD, it’s important to understand every possible remedy and option for treating symptoms.
Cannabis is known for effectively addressing a wide range of physical and mental ailments in adults, such as chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, stress, and more. But did you know that cannabis can also be a great option for people with ADHD and ADD?
Here’s how cannabis and ADHD work together and some of the best strains for finding better focus and addressing the symptoms of ADHD.
What is ADHD?
ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. Mainly, it causes impairment with regulating focus.
Diagnosed ADHD and associated disorders affect 4-6% of Canadian adults – while many more live with minor symptoms or undiagnosed ADHD. Even so, it’s a big part of the population (1 in 21) who are dealing with issues surrounding focus.
ADHD affects everyone’s relationship with a focus in a different way. For some, it means that they have difficulty staying focused, while others have a hard time breaking focus or becoming overly focused on specific tasks. And for some, ADHD causes trouble with switching focus or finding focus on particular tasks.
Cannabis and ADHD
As researchers learn more about the brain and ADHD, more studies are being done on how we can better treat the symptoms. While plenty of medical options and chemical remedies exist, cannabis is a popular option among many adults with ADHD.
And since cannabis became legal in Canada in 2018, we’re seeing more studies on how cannabis and ADHD can go hand in hand.
Cannabis can be used to treat several challenges that people with ADHD face, such as:
- Lack of focus
- Low energy
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Lack of restraint
Though there hasn’t yet been the amount of research necessary to make cannabis a frontrunner in medicinal treatments for ADHD, many people with ADHD (and ADD) have found cannabis to be helpful in treating their regular symptoms.
The Benefits of Cannabis for Treating ADHD
While we can’t give medical advice (my Ph.D. certificate seems to have gotten lost in the mail), there’s much anecdotal evidence that points to cannabis being a beneficial treatment for ADHD symptoms.
Cannabis, for starters, has fewer known side effects compared to some medical treatments for ADHD. Calming and relaxing strains of cannabis may also be helpful for dealing with hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity, symptoms that are sometimes associated with ADHD.
THC for Mental Clarity and Focus
When looking for the best strains of cannabis for ADHD, it’s all about terpene profiles. Cannabis strains that will best address ADHD symptoms are those that promote better focus and mental clarity. In many cases, this actually means choosing strains with a higher concentration of THC.
Addressing ADHD is, after all, not only about sedation but also about obtaining greater focus and concentration while optimizing energy levels.
CBD for Hyperactivity and Anxiety
Not all cannabis products or strains have psychoactive or intoxicating effects. In fact, some do quite the opposite.
CBD (cannabidiol) products have been popular among people dealing with anxiety and insomnia without the psychoactive effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Essentially, CBD doesn’t make you feel high.
The anti-anxiety, relaxing, and calming effects of CBD could be a treatment for adults with ADHD.
Photo by Dingzeyu Li on Unsplash
The Best Cannabis Strains for ADHD
Depending on how ADHD affects you will determine which strain will be your best option. These cannabis strains all offer a variety of different effects, ranging from better focus and mental clarity to calming and relaxation.
1. Garlic Sherbert (Lucky Farms)
THC Level: 19%
Indica Dominant
Grade: AAA
Flavours/Aromas: Sweet, Earthy, Citrus, Spicy
Garlic Sherbert is the perfect choice for those living with ADHD and affected by feeling anxious or dealing with a lack of focus. This Indica-leaning hybrid strain offers effects of calm focus, with happy and hungry sideliners. It’s commonly used for treating stress, anxiety, and depression.
2. Ice Cream Cake Kush (Lucky Farms)
THC Level: 24%
Grade: AAA
Flavours/Aromas: Cheesy, Creamy, Nutty, Sweet
Ice Cream Cake Kush will leave a sweet taste, along with beneficial effects for ADHD. The lifting and relaxing effects are helpful for those with hyperactivity or trouble putting a stop to deep focus. It offers a relaxing body high that can lead to sleepiness. It’s also popular for treating loss of appetite, depression, and chronic pain.
3. Sunset Sherbert (Cream of the Crop)
THC Level: 20-22%
Grade: AAA
Flavours/Aromas: Creamy, Fruity, Nutty, Sweet
Some people with ADHD, they can lack a sense of calm, even when anxiety and stress are not an issue. Sunset Sherbert is a strain that will help produce feelings of calm and relaxation. It offers a happy and relaxed body high and is sometimes used to treat depression, anxiety, and stress.
4. Thin Mint (Cream of the Crop)
THC Level: 24-26%
Grade: AAA
Flavours/Aromas: Chemical, Mint, Sweet, Kush
This Indica-dominant strain is a popular choice for people with ADD and ADHD. Not only is it refreshingly minty, but it’s also known for its effects of greater focus. It is an energizing high that leaves many feeling more focused and happy. Along with ADHD and ADD, it’s great for treating fatigue and stress.
5. Gelato Runtz (Cream of the Crop)
THC Level:
Grade: AAA
Flavours/Aromas: Berry, Citrus, Creamy, Fruity
Gelato Runtz is an Indica-dominant strain that’s great for relaxing after a stress-filled day. It offers feelings of an energizing body high along with euphoria. It’s great for addressing a range of symptoms, such as fatigue and stress, which can also help deal with ADHD.
6. Blue Alien (Cream of the Crop)
THC Level: 17-19%
Grade: AA
Flavours/Aromas: Berry, Blueberry, Candy, Sweet
This Indica strain of cannabis from Cream of the Crop is specifically designed to treat ADD and ADHD in adults. It offers a cerebral high that can be euphoric and lead to sleepiness. It’s great for addressing an overactive mind that has difficulty finding focus. Along with ADHD, it’s used for treating anxiety and stress.
7. Lemonhead #5
THC Level: 22-24%
Grade: AA
Flavours/Aromas: Sweet, Lemon, Sour, Citrus
This Sativa-dominant strain can be beneficial for those with ADHD. The high THC content counterbalances symptoms that cause a lack of focus and inattention. It offers a happy and energetic cerebral high that can help increase concentration and focus. In addition to ADHD, stress, and depression, this strain can help soothe painful stomach cramps.
8. Purple Blueberry (Jungle Ridge)
THC Level: 17-19%
Grade: AA
Flavours/Aromas: Berry, Grape, Spicy, Sweet
Purple Blueberry by Jungle Ridge is a Sativa-dominant strain commonly used to treat symptoms of glaucoma, inflammation, depression, and migraines. It offers a relaxing cerebral high that can cause feelings of creativity and a state of calm. It may be helpful for people with ADHD who have difficulting finding the relaxation necessary for deep focus.
9.Chemdawg (Superdank)
THC Level: 19-21%
Grade: A
Flavours/Aromas: Chemical, Diesel, Pine, Earthy
While this affordable Indica strain is popular for treating anxiety and pain, it also offers a range of benefits that are helpful for ADHD. It offers a high cerebral euphoria and happy, creative feelings. Along with ADHD, it can be used to treat migraines, insomnia, and cramps caused by PMS.
Bonus: Sour Diesel
THC Level: 19%
This strain is THC-dominant and known for the effects of energetic euphoria that kick in with record speed. It’s possible that it can help with greater mental clarity as long as it’s dosed properly. If you’re willing to experiment with dosage, Sour Diesel could be a great option for treating a lack of focus caused by ADD and ADHD.
CBD Products for ADHD
In addition to dried flowers, CBD products are available in a wide range of options for consumption. From tinctures, edibles, and capsules to vape pens, oils, and concentrates, CBD comes in all shapes and forms.
Here are a few CBD products you may want to try.
- Edibles: CBD Jelly Bites (Twisted Extracts) – 500MG CBD per package
- Oil: CBD Oil (Trichome Gardens) – Syringe CBD Oil 50mg CBD or 100mg CBD
- Isolate: CBD Isolate (Kleerx) – 1000mg CBD Crystals
- Capsules: CBD Capsules (Trichome Gardens) – 10x 15mg CBD Capsules, 150mg CBD total
- Tinctures: CBD Full Spectrum Tincture (Vitalita) – 2250mg CBD | 3000mg CBD | 4500mg CBD – 30 mL Bottle
- Cream: CBD Night Cream (Vitalita) – Made with 750mg full spectrum hemp extract.
- Roll on: CBD Relief Roll-On (Vitalita) – Made with 100mg CBD Isolate.
Buying Cannabis Strains Online for Treating ADHD
The right cannabis strain for treating ADHD depends on your own unique set of symptoms and concerns. It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all answer. Finding a cannabis strain or product that brings you great focus, concentration, calm, or balance could take trial and error.
Depending on whether you deal with a lack of focus, hyperactivity, difficulting concentrating or switching concentration, or another symptom altogether, it’s likely that there’s a strain of cannabis – be it with THC or CBD – that can offer beneficial effects.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/marijuana-and-adhd
https://caddac.ca/about-adhd/#:~:text=Attention%20Deficit%20Hyperactivity%20Disorder%20(ADHD,the%20country%20has%20the%20disorder.
https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/medication-list
https://www.healthline.com/health/marijuana-and-adhd#benefits
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28576350/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/does-weed-help-with-adhd-benefits-vs-risks-5210315
