X Best Ways To Use Cannabis If You Have ADHD
For some people with ADHD, cannabis may just be the best thing out there.
Many recreational or medical users find that cannabis use may cause them to feel unfocused, especially when they are too high. But for individuals with ADHD, it can help restore a sense of calm, make one feel centered, and even help with focus.
So why does cannabis work so well for ADHD?
That’s because weed just weed works efficiently when it interacts with the body’s systems, which are responsible for regulating motivation, mood, and attention.
Understanding ADHD
ADHD means attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but despite its name, this medical condition isn’t exclusively affecting one’s focus. It’s all about how the brain regulates itself. For this reason, individuals who struggle with ADHD struggle with racing thoughts, emotional intensity, reactivity, difficulty starting and finishing tasks, restlessness, and great difficulty getting motivated, even with things that they care about.
They know what they have to do, but their body struggles with getting started.
People with ADHD go through life with a much lower dopamine activity in their brain, which is what causes all of these issues. A healthy amount of dopamine is necessary for us to feel a sense of reward, and ensure that daily tasks feel manageable.
How Cannabis Helps ADHD
The human body has its own amazing regulatory network.
It’s called the endocannabinoid system. The primary function of the endocannabinoid system is to maintain balance and restore homeostasis, particularly in regulating our mood, stress levels, emotional responses, sensory input, and attention.
When we consume cannabis, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system directly. For individuals with ADHD, the interaction between weed and the endocannabinoid system can spell the difference between a noisy, restless mind - and one that has turned down the volume.
That’s why people with ADHD often report feeling less overwhelmed, focused, and steadier when they get high.
Best Ways to Use Cannabis If You Have ADHD
Cannabis is one of the best natural therapies out there for ADHD, but it should be used with careful thought and caution. Keep in mind that the very same product that can help improve focus for someone with ADHD can cause another to get derailed if the timing or dosage is off.
These are the best ways people with ADHD can benefit from cannabis.
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Microdose THC: When it comes to THC, less is more, especially when it comes to medicating. Recreational users may want to get blasted by consuming more and more, but for those with medical conditions, especially ADHD, 1 to 2 mg of THC may just be the sweet spot for you.
Microdosing is effective at mitigating restlessness without affecting energy. It can also enhance your ability to engage with tasks or reduce memory impairment that is usually associated with smoking too much THC.
If you’re using a vape, just one light puff can do the trick. Edibles also work well if you’re consuming a calculated low dose.
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Quick onset products: ADHD brains work best when there is the benefit of immediate feedback. When it comes to cannabis, this means fast-acting products.
When you’re working with weed products that offer quick relief, there’s less of a chance you’ll accidentally overdo it, since you’ll feel it so much faster. This gives you the ability to stop as soon as you feel you’ve hit the sweet spot.
Cannabis products that are known for their quick onset include vape pens, sublingual tinctures, joints, or dry herb vaporizers. Stay away from edibles, which are far too easy to overdose particularly for beginners.
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Low THC or balanced THC:CBD products: Too much THC can easily overstimulate the ADHD brain. On other hand, balanced formulas will work so much better.
Look for cannabis products that have 1:1 THC:CBD ratios, or a 2:1 CBD:THC ratio. Low doses of THC are well balanced by adequate CBD, ensuring that any reactivity and anxiety are mitigated. It will reduce the risk of spiraling thoughts too, since CBD has calming properties.
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CBD during the day, THC at night: Strategically splitting your cannabis dosage during the day is an effective way to make the most out of your weed. CBD during the day supports focus and motivation, without running the risk of burnout. Meanwhile, THC at night helps relax you from the inside out.
During the day, give some CBD capsules or oil a try. Smoke a few puffs of CBD-dominant flower or low to zero THC strains. At night, microdose THC, or try some edibles to help induce sleep.
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Don’t continuously use cannabis all day long. Using weed from the moment you wake up, through the time you go to bed, can quickly lead to tolerance buildup. It can also come with side effects, such as blunted focus or reduced motivation, which someone with ADHD already suffers from. In other words, it can make ADHD symptoms worse.
Instead, opt for one or two intentional consumption windows in each day. If it helps, you may also want to have a clear time to stop and start. You can also benefit from a few smoke-free days a week if you can handle it.
CONCLUSION
Cannabis can be a powerful tool for people with ADHD. It doesn’t fix the attention issue, but rather supports overall regulation.
Using weed thoughtfully and intentionally, with the right dose and motivation, can be powerful for quieting the noise. These tips can help you develop a strategic approach to cannabis use that makes living with ADHD more tolerable. Self-awareness is essential, and soon cannabis can be a practical aid that contributes to a balanced, focused, and in-control way of living life.
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