While CBD oil is not well regulated as of this article, there are several essential things to look for to ensure you are aware of what is included with the product. CBD products come in 4 types.
- Whole Plant Medicine - Nothing is extracted. This contains all the cannabinoids, and other contents found naturally within hemp. This may or may not include a legally allowed percentage of THC.
- Full Spectrum CBD - This CBD extraction contains all the cannabinoids found within cannabis, including THC, but the amount of THC falls within the legal guidelines for the state in which it is sold.
- Broad Spectrum CBD - This CBD extraction contains all the cannabinoids found within cannabis except for THC.
- CBD Isolate - This CBD extraction isolates the cannabinoid from all other cannabinoids found naturally within cannabis.
The leading concern among new consumers is that some products on the market may contain more than trace amounts of THC, making them not only inappropriate for use by children and adolescents but also may cause a "high" feeling which may inhibit someone's daily routine.
If you pay attention to the label before purchasing the product, you can be confident that you are getting what you want.
If you are ever unsure about a product, you can always ask the vendor or go to the manufacturer's website and view the manufacturer's 3rd Party Lab test results, which reveal what is in the product as well as to what degree.
So what about CBD oil for ADHD? Is it a good an alternative approach to managing symptoms?
What is ADD/ADHD?
Everyone may have trouble staying still, paying attention, or controlling impulsive behaviors from time to time. For some people, however, the problems are so intrusive and persistent that they interfere in every aspect of their lives: home, academics, social interactions, and work.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a non-destructive disorder affecting 11% of school-age children, but it doesn't just affect children. Symptoms of ADHD from childhood last in more than 75% of cases. ADHD is characterized by inappropriate levels of negligence, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity.
Adults with ADHD can do very well in their lives, but without proper identification and treatment, this condition may have serious consequences, including academic failure, stress, disruption in the family, depression, substance abuse, crime, accidental injury, and failure at work.
NOTE: Early recognition and treatment are critical.
Medical science first documented children with negligence, impulsivity, and hyperactivity in 1902. Since then, this disorder has received many names, including minimal brain dysfunction, hyperkinetic reaction of childhood. Attention deficit disorder, attention deficit with or without hyperactivity disorder.
With the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the disorder has been renamed into Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. The present name reflects the main symptoms of hyperactivity and lack of attention.
What Causes ADHD?
Despite numerous studies, researchers have not yet determined the exact causes of ADHD, but scientists have discovered an active genetic link in 20 different studies linking ADHD to family history. People with ADHD don't need to look far to see others in their family suffering from this condition, but this isn't the only cause.
Other environmental factors may increase the risk of developing ADHD:
- Exposure to pesticides or lead in early childhood.
- Premature birth or low birth weight
- Brain damage
Early research considered smoking during pregnancy could increase the risk of ADHD, but new evidence is beginning to question this belief.
Scientists are still conducting research to determine the exact relationship between people with ADHD and environmental factors, but point out that no cause can explain all ADHD cases.
The following factors are not known causes of ADHD but may exacerbate symptoms in some children:
- Watching TV too much
- Consuming too much sugar
- Family stress (poverty, family conflict)
- Traumatic experiences
Treatment Options for ADHD
Treatments range from behavioral interventions to prescription drugs. In many cases, the medications themselves are effective enough treatment for ADHD, but the National Institute of Mental Health suggests it is essential to include other options as well.
No matter what you ultimately decide to do, please consult with a physician regarding your health concerns. Your health is not something to take for granted, even your mental health.
While CBD is not a cure for any disease, it has been shown to help with symptoms you may be experiencing. If you want relief and think CBD may be a solution for you, be sure to check out Mana Artisan Botanics™
Medical Treatment
Medications are most often used when treating a child with ADHD. But with the potential risks of side-effects and dependence on drugs, this can be a tough decision to make as a parent.
Before choosing any medication, it is vital that parents work together with their child's doctor to determine if medications are the best option for their specific situation.
If this is the case for you and your child, be sure to ask your doctor if your child needs treatment during school hours only or if they need therapy beyond periods of study. You and your doctor also need to determine which type of medication may be the best.
The main ADHD-specific medications on the market fall into two categories:
Stimulants: are the most prescribed class of ADHD medications. These drugs act to increase the number of chemicals in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. This effect improves your child’s concentration and helps them focus more.
Non Stimulants: Some non-stimulant medicines work by increasing the level of norepinephrine in the child's brain. Norepinephrine is designed to help with care and memory.
Alternative Treatment
When looking for alternative ADHD treatment options for your child, a combination of choices will likely yield the most significant benefits. This may include
- Psychotherapy
- Behavioral therapies
- Social skills training
- Support groups
- Parenting skills training
CBD Treatment
A 2015 study investigated the link between ADHD, depression, and marijuana use among students. Although researchers found that some students used marijuana to treat depression symptoms, their overall effect on these symptoms was not clear.
What is clear is that the cannabis plant offers many cannabinoids, including CBD oil, which may help with these conditions.
A 2013 study on ADHD and cannabis use also gave impressive results. After collecting data on 2,811 cannabis users, researchers found that daily cannabis users reported symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity when they did not use cannabis products.
Because the THC found in the marijuana cannabis plant may exacerbate symptoms of ADHD, removing this psychoactive compound from the cannabis products being consumed may result in an effective non-psychoactive treatment for a child suffering from ADHD.
Adult users may find that vaping cannabis products, specifically CBD may increase his or her focus for a short duration. This is not the case with all cannabinoids from the cannabis plant.
Due to the nature of American cannabis laws, there are risks involved with vaping, as illicit black market THC oil and vitamin E cartridges are linked to several recent deaths.
There are other ways to consume CBD oil, including:
- CBD Edibles
- CBD Oil Tinctures
- CBD Flowers
- CBD Topicals
- CBD Transdermal Patches etc.
Some brands like Mana Artisan Botanics™ offer CBD tinctures that are actually palatable.
It's hard to actively treat your symptoms when your CBD tastes bad.
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How CBD can Oil Treat ADD/ADHD Symptoms
Typically, ADHD symptoms occur in early childhood. According to DSM-5, there are several symptoms before age 12.
Predominantly Inattentive ADHD
- Not paying attention to details or making improper mistakes
- Having trouble maintaining focus
- Struggling to follow through with instructions
- Avoiding or disliking tasks that require constant mental effort
- Losing things
- Forgetfulness
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD
- Shaking hands or feet or turning on a chair.
- Having sitting problems
- Difficulties in doing things quietly.
- The child behaves as if they drive their own engine. Adults often feel inside as if the engine is running without them needing to focus on it.
- Speaking excessively
ADHD Combined
ADHD combined shares characteristics from both inattentiveness and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD presentations simultaneously. As these symptoms can change over time, children can adapt to different conditions while growing up.
Understanding the behaviors of children with this condition can offer context when we discuss how CBD oil works within our bodies.
When humans consume CBD products, the CBD oil reacts with two receptors in your body. These receptors, called CB1 and CB2, directly affect specific parts of your body.
CB1 is most abundant in the brain and is directly linked to epilepsy.
CB2 is most abundant in the immune system. It is related to pain and inflammation.
CBD oil's ingredients, when consumed, assist your body's endocannabinoid system by supplying it with cannabinoids it didn't have to make itself.
Increasing the use of these natural cannabinoids like CBD can have many benefits, including reducing anxiety and hyperactivity symptoms in children who suffer from ADHD.
What's the CBD Dosage for ADHD?
Based on widespread anecdotal evidence only, the standard CBD dosage recommendation may depend on your body weight. Start with 1 to 6 mg for every 10 pounds of body weight.
We've built a calculator for you so that you can find the lowest starting dose for your body weight below:
The above dosage recommendation is general and merely a suggestion. Your case may differ in that you may need a lot more, while others may need a lot less. Please consult with your physician before supplementing your treatment with CBD.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Additional research is needed before considering CBD oil as a standard ADHD treatment option, and like any treatment you find for yourself or your child, it is imperative that you discuss using a CBD product for your child with their doctor before treatment.
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If you'd like to learn know more about CBD products and how they can be used for treating symptoms of many conditions, please check out the resources on our website where we aim to equip you with the best study-sourced information so you can make the best decisions for your health.