ADHD (once referred to as ADD) is a neurological disorder that can cause difficulty focusing, accomplishing tasks, making decisions, and regulating emotional responses. While ADHD is a spectrum-based disorder, it can be debilitating to the extent of interfering with work, relationships, and personal care. Luckily, treatments for ADHD exist, and one that might surprise you is cannabis, especially some interesting strains that’re most commonly recommended to those with ADHD.
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What Exactly is ADD/ADHD and How is It Diagnosed and Treated?
Early diagnosis and a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan can significantly improve the quality of life for someone with ADHD. It’s important for individuals suspected of having ADHD to seek evaluation from a qualified healthcare provider to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment..
Symptoms
ADHD symptoms are categorized into two areas:
- Inattention: Difficulty sustaining attention, following through on instructions, and staying organized. This can manifest as careless mistakes in work, difficulty sustaining attention in tasks, and being easily distracted.
- Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Excessive activity, fidgeting, inability to stay seated, interrupting, and acting without much consideration for consequences.
These symptoms vary in severity and can lead to significant challenges in academic, occupational, and social settings.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ADHD involves a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional, typically a psychologist, psychiatrist, or pediatrician. The process includes:
- Clinical Interview: To gather a detailed personal and family history.
- Rating Scales and Checklists: Completed by parents, teachers, and sometimes the individual themselves.
- Observation: Behavioral observation in different settings.
- Medical Examination: To rule out other conditions that might mimic ADHD symptoms, such as hearing or vision problems, sleep disorders, or other psychiatric disorders.
Now, there is no single test for ADHD; diagnosis is based on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which requires symptoms to be present in two or more settings (e.g., at home and at school) and to interfere with or reduce the quality of social, academic, or occupational functioning.
Treatment
Treatment for ADHD is multifaceted and can include:
- Medications: Stimulant medications (e.g., methylphenidate, amphetamines) are the most common and have been shown to be effective in improving symptoms in children and adults. Non-stimulant medications are also available and may be preferred in certain cases.
- Behavioral Therapy: For children, especially those under 6, behavioral interventions are recommended as the first line of treatment. This can involve parent training in behavior management, behavioral interventions in schools, and therapy to help with organization and planning skills.
- Lifestyle and Dietary Changes: While not a replacement for medication and behavioral therapy, certain lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet, and ensuring adequate sleep can help manage symptoms.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Especially for adults with ADHD, CBT can help manage symptoms by teaching coping strategies and ways to change negative thought patterns.
- Educational Support: Accommodations in the educational setting, such as extra time on tests or a quiet room for work, can help individuals with ADHD succeed academically.
How Can Certain Cannabis Strains Help with ADHD?
Cannabis has been explored as a potential treatment for ADHD, with some patients and healthcare providers reporting benefits in managing symptoms. Still more research and data is needed.
Still, here’s how certain cannabis strains might help with ADHD:
- Improved Concentration: Some users report that specific strains of cannabis, particularly those high in CBD (cannabidiol), can help improve focus for individuals with ADHD. This is thought to be due to CBD’s effects on the brain’s dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter involved in focus and attention.
- Reduced Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Cannabis, especially strains with a balance of CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), might help reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in some ADHD patients. THC interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system, which can have calming effects and thereby reduce these symptoms.
- Anxiety and Stress Relief: Many individuals with ADHD also struggle with anxiety and stress, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Certain cannabis strains are known for their anxiety-reducing effects, potentially helping to manage this aspect of ADHD.
- Improved Sleep: Sleep problems are common in people with ADHD, and some find that cannabis helps regulate their sleep patterns. Indica strains, in particular, are often reported to aid in relaxation and improve the quality of sleep.
- Alternative to Traditional Medications: Some patients seek cannabis as an alternative treatment for ADHD due to concerns over the side effects or ineffectiveness of traditional stimulant medications. Cannabis is sometimes seen as a more natural or tolerable option.
Why Does the Strain You Select Matter So Much Then?
Before going over the strains we’ve picked out, let’s talk about why cannabis strains matter a lot more than you might think. The cultivar of cannabis is its strain, and different parts of the world naturally leave us with distinctive cultivars that have unique chemical compositions based on the nature of the climate and environment. Not only that, but breeders are always crossing cultivars together to produce unique strains through deliberate breeding methods.
There are three types of strains:
- Sativa strains are regarded as “daytime” strains, with more uplifting, focus-enhancing, sociable, and energizing effects.
- Indica strains are a perfect nighttime fav since they can produce deep feelings of relaxation and calm in the body and mind.
- Hybrid strains come from crossing an indica with a sativa, producing a unique balance of these traits.
Each THC strain can deliver totally different effects from another. For instance, taking a sativa that’s super stimulating is unwise if you’re trying to mellow out and go to bed. Taking a potent indica during work hours can prevent you from getting anything done, which is a problem if you’re trying to derive focus-enhancing, energizing effects from cannabis.
Thankfully, there are loads of different cannabis strains out there today, and it’s simple to look up a strain online to learn all about it. Because of this, it’s easier than ever to choose the perfect strain based on the specific effects that you’re trying to achieve.
Our Picks for the Best Strains for ADD/ADHD
If your main goal with cannabis is relief from ADHD symptoms, we’ve got you covered. All 5 of the strains below are often recommended to ADHD patients on the medical market, thanks to their unique terpene profiles that can provide relief from a variety of ADHD symptoms.
Option #5: Green Crack
Green Crack is infamous, and because of that, people may unfairly sleep on it out of fear of its intensely potent ‘high;. But, the reality is that many people with ADHD find that it’s less intense due to their unique neurotransmitters. This 65% sativa-dominant strain is the result of inbreeding Skunk #1, and it’s got about 20%-25% THC.
Green Crack is hands down the most stimulating strain of all time, and its euphoric effects are nothing short of legendary, giving you a giddy, hyper type of feeling that lasts for a while. But, if you have ADHD, you may find that what it really does is help you focus and accomplish tasks like never before.
Option #4: Desert Diesel
Desert Diesel is maybe a less famous cousin of Sour Diesel, one could say, with a moderately high 17%-20% THC. This 60/40 sativa-leaning hybrid is a unique cultivar that boosts mood, motivation, and focus, with euphoria that lasts and lasts. Its flavor is unique, with hints of sour milk, lemons, and, of course, diesel.
Desert Diesel can boost your concentration and executive function beyond words, all while regulating mood so you feel more even throughout the day. Its ability to help you focus on one task at a time can provide serious relief to those who have a hard time concentrating.
Option #3: Strawberry Cough
Named after its flavor of juicy strawberries and black pepper (hence the “cough” part), Strawberry Cough is an 80% sativa-dominant hybrid that can give you a major boost in focus, along with mood, evening you out while helping you feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day as productively as possible. It’s also a very euphoric strain that can ease stress and anxiety, as well as irritability, all of which are common traits among those with ADHD.
Strawberry Cough is the perfect strain to reach for when you want to get things done, whether they be chores around the house, or a difficult task at work. The ‘high’ never gets too stimulating, so you can enjoy a calm type of concentration on what’s in front of you.
Option #2: Amnesia Haze
Amnesia Haze is an 80% sativa-dominant hybrid that really lives up to its name. With about 22% THC, this strain is beloved for its clear-minded ‘high’, in spite of its name, and it can really allow you to feel focused, alert, and happy for hours at a time. It’s a great wake-and-bake option for those who want to enjoy a euphoric high without feeling out of it and unproductive during the daytime hours.
Amnesia Haze has a fruity, peppery, and hashy flavor that’s quite famous, and can give you major giggles. It’s one of the most commonly recommended strains for ADHD, which is no surprise.
Option #1: Blue Dream
Hands down, the most commonly suggested strain for ADHD is Blue Dream, as any medical dispensary will tell you. It can tap into the needs of individuals with ADHD, helping them get far more accomplished while feeling calm, enthusiastic, and alert. At the same time, you’ll be treated to a delicious blueberry taste with each and every puff.
Blue Dream is a 60% sativa-leaning hybrid that can help you feel both relaxed and joyous, and its ‘high; can enhance creativity and optimism. At the same time, it’s never too stimulating, so you won’t have to worry about struggling to wind down during the evening hours.
Find Relief from ADHD Symptoms with Cannabis!
Cannabis has what it takes to boost focus, concentration, mood, and important cognitive functions, and as you can see, some strains are better equipped than others when it comes to addressing the very real needs of people with ADHD. If you’re seeking out relief from your symptoms, we can’t recommend any of these 5 strains enough.
