ADHD and MARIJUANA

[Faria]

Hi I'm new to this site and was wondering about someone who has ADD/ADHD and whether or not it is wise to smoke pot while on the meds or off.  Just curious to know if anyone else smokes pot when the meds wear off.  For me I have smoked pot since I was fifteen years old, five years after I was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.  I am 27 now any suggestions would be very helpful.

Thanks,
David

[daneast]

I have a boyfriend been diagnosed with ADHD and he has started smoking weed and i think it has changed him totally but Not in a good way !!!!!!
He is aggresive and more selfish than ever !!! and he admits its not doing him any good but cant seem to give it up .  I think personally being with my boyfriend 15 years he is not the man he used to be

[JRT1082]

Thats just incorrect. "The nickname Pot comes from the Spanish word Potiguaya, which means Marijuana Leaves. It’s a Mexican-Spanish word that is a contraction of potación de guaya, which referred to an alcoholic drink made of marijuana leaves soaked in Brandy or Wine. The name became popular in the United States in the late 1930s and early 1940s."

[Lindsaylilly]

That is the most misinformed, incorrect, and ignorant response I've ever seen. First of all pit doesn't kill brains cells, the government test that led to this assumption has been publicly critized for its poor design. During the test monkeys received marijuana smoke through a gas mask however, the scientists did not follow procedure and pumped too much smoke into the monkeys mask in too little time, this caused a lack of oxygen which is what killed the monkey and caused the brain cells to die. The brains cells were killed as a result of lack of oxygen and not by the drug itself. Secondly, pot does not contain "over 300 ingredients that are harmful to your body" that is an absolute lie, pot actually has very few active ingredients which is way it is very safe. Pot smoke does not contain the same amount of harmful carcinogens as cigarette smoke, this is an unfortunate and incorrect stigma. The only reason consuming marihuana is considered to be detrimental to health at all is because most people consume marihuana through smoking. Obviously using this method the plant matter is incinerated which releases the active ingredients but also releases undesirable products such as CO2 which aren't harmful to the body in small amount. Pure cannabis use has never been linked to any forms of cancer and there have been a grand total of ZERO DEATHS directly contributed to marijuana use. It is a non addictive substance. The DEA will show statistics that say the most common drug that teens go to rehab for is marijuana which is true, HOWEVER this is true because when a minor is convicted of possession or some other cannabis related offense he or she is given the option to go to jail and or pay a hefty fine OR go to rehab and avoid jail. Naturally most people choose to go to "rehab" for cannabis addiction because they want to avoid jail. Weed isn't addictive because when users are withdrawn from the substance their aren't any serious physical problems. With truley addictive substances such as herion, the body will have a serious negative physical reaction when it is no longer exposed to the drug. As far as the "Stepping Stone theory" that smokin pot will lead to increased drug use of hard drugs like cocaine and heroine; it is documented that less than 1 in every 104 marijuana users does cocaine and even less than 1 in 104 use heroin. Cannabis is known to be less addictive than tobacco, alcohol and even caffeine. Marijuana can be consumed without and health problems through edibles which work by making a butter out of the active ingredient THC and this is then used to make baked goods. These baked goods are obviously eaten and give the same desired effect of smoking which is feeling "high". There is also vaporizing which involves hosting the plant material to a point which will release the active ingredients such as the THC and cannabinoids which will make the user feel "high" but doesn't burn the plant matter so there isn't any harmful smoke or carcinogens. Many police chiefs have gone on record saying that they would prefer marihuana be legal to alcohol because there are many deaths, beatings/abuses, and crimes committed when under the influence or because of alcohol. Cannabis has never been implemented as the cause of any crime.

So next time you try and present false information to sway someone's opinion please do some research first. Surely your capable of doing this if I can, after all I smoke pot recreationally and even I took the time to do my research and become well informed and I'm just a lazy stoner right. Haha some people amaze me

[genealowiz]

I'm sure she was referring to this
http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/on-marijuana-and-adhd/

Dr. Hallowell's Blog
On Marijuana and ADHD
35I want to make clear my view on the use of marijuana by people who have ADHD.  I am writing this post because of a recent piece in the New York Times that misled some readers.

I am totally and completely opposed to the use of marijuana by people who have ADHD.  John Ratey and I made this clear some fifteen years ago in our book Answers to Distraction, and our opinion has not changed.  The reason I feel this way is that I have seen too many patients get into enormous difficulties due to their use of pot.  Not only can they get into trouble with the law, they can develop a dependency that leads them to be less productive in their lives than they otherwise could be.  People with ADHD are at great risk for developing addiction or dependency on all illicit substances, as well as activities like gambling, spending, sex, food, and even exercise.  In my experience, marijuana ranks at or near the top of the list of substances that cause problems for people who have ADHD.

I hope this clarifies my position.  Pot and ADHD do not mix well.

Happy Holidays to you all!!!!!

[LenaButler]

If you are considering using marijuana for anything, medicinal or not, you should know what side effects you could potentially be seeing.

http://www.testcountry.com/infographics/side-effects-of-using-marijuana.html

[wolfantix]

I should also add that in my state, ADHD is NOT a diagnosis that would permit the prescription for pot as a treatment. Here in my state (WA) any form of mental diagnosis (and ADHD is considered a psychological disorder) is not allowed to use weed to treat as they fear it may cause patients to become worse. Further more pain management can be accepted only if traditional medications have no effect or if the patient has a terminal illness. As I had gained a dependency to prescription pills such as Vicodin (hydrocadone) and Percaset (oxycodone)  my Dr. decided that weed would be the best form of treatment. I have since stopped use of my "medication" as I have seen a submission in my pain as well as a return of my appetite. I have seen no difference in my academic performance with the exception that it is a bit more difficult to concentrate on my work and am once again easily distracted.

[wolfantix]

I do have a prescription due to a herniated disk in my neck that is uncorrectable along with stomach issues that cause "morning sickness" and a lack of appetite.

[A7x1314]

I'm 16 years old and I have severe ADHD. I have found that marijuana has helped so much. I used to be on Adderall* and Xanax. Once I started smoking, i've calmed down so much that I don't need the medication. I am still prescribed but I only when I feel as if I won't be able to control my self. I'm sorry to say that your facts on marijuana are completely false. I'm sure you've gotten much criticism for your false facts so I'm not going to go off on you.

[Carpe_Vino]

I have had ADD for as long as I can remember. My mother always insisted that my brother and I (he also has it) were fine and had no need to see a Dr.

YEARS I've suffered and after so many different things, smoking/eating marijuana helped tremendously! Except the attention span is shorter than adderall and I end up rather tired. Though eating was my preferred method.

All in all, I can only HIGHLY recommend this book:
Healing ADD by Daniel G. Amen, M.D.

There are six different types of ADD and it make a huge difference on how to treat with diet and meds.

Currently I am not taking prescription meds or marijuana as I will be TTC in a few months and need to not be dependent on drugs.
Changing my diet and increasing certain vitamins has done wonders.

Oh, wolfantix, thank you! Ignorance is annoying....

[specialmom]

Do you have a legal medical prescription for pot?

[wolfantix]

JoD3_8,

Ma'am, Your facts on "pot" are completely and totally false. Please do more research and post truth rather than opinion. To think that pot is called pot due to "pot holes in the brain similar to acne" is absolutely on of the most ridiculous  statements I have ever heard. Further more I have found no such conclusions in my research to this fact. Many other posters have said actual facts such as it is called "pot" as an abbreviation for a Latin word that means "marijuana leaf", and another person who should the very factual FLAWS of a study with monkeys where the were smoked for long periods of time with very little oxygen. Here are truths to side affects of "pot"  
Short term memory loss (true but the severity also depends on the strain and types of cannabanoids or CBD in the medicine)
Impaired judgment is true. Any medication that can make you drowsy (which is a prominent effect of the Indica strains) will also impair thought and reaction times.
Studies are still being performed to the carcinogenic properties of pot, but so far the studies are showing that the carcinogens are from the burning of the material when smoking. There is no indication of any carcinogenic properties when vaporized or orally ingested.

[wolfantix]

It sounds like you may have got some pot that may have been laced with PCP or LSD. Back before I could get the stuff legally, I had to get off the street where I had a similar reaction. Who knows what dealers put in there weed to make it go further, cost more, or just make it more potent or addictive. I can only recommend that you talk to a legal Dr. that can prescribe pot (if your state allows) and see if this form of medicine is right for you. In most cases, the Dr. will not expect payment if they are unable to assist you or if the medication is improper for your ailment. As for the generational question, I am unsure if it can skip generations....I am a third gen ADHD where both my father and Grandfather had it (although it was only accepted in my era as a real problem). But neither of my sisters have ADHD. Indeed many studies show that this is most common in males.

[wolfantix]

I agree with you. We need to use caution and study the effects of pot on the ADHD.   Incidentally I have just seen a program on Discovery Science channel indicating that ADHD may be a genetic condition that was beneficial to humans back when we were still tribal and nomadic civilizations. We (ADHD) had the edge in survival because we were always on the move and were quicker to notice predators that were hunting us there fore enabling us to escape faster than the more sedentary people. Now it is a detriment as we live in a more stationary society.

[wolfantix]

I am 36 and have been using "pot" to help with my ADHD. When I was younger I was on retiline (spelling?) and I was a zombie, albeit I was getting good grads and focusing was good...but I was not eating, still had severe social dysfunction, and had zero drive to do anything. I spent most of my time alone in my room reading, drawing and Nintendo was my best friend. I was swapped sever different amphetamine based meds all with the same effect and lead me to an addiction to Meth. I was placed on several different depression drugs as well including Depakote, Prozac, and Zoloft. All of these made me emotionless and mean. When I started using pot, I noticed a marked improvement in my attention span, social interaction, and desire to interact with the world that had shunned me.
BUT... I am a case from a handful of successes from pot and ADHD. We need to use caution and study this more before jumping to a conclusion. It took me years to fine tune the "dosage" (I find it best when I smoke to get just to an elevated state then to maintain that level rather than getting totally stoned). We people with ADHD are highly susceptible to addiction and weed is addictive (more psychosomatic than physical)  but addictive none the less, and I am no exception to this. For me this is the affordable option. If I could afford the medical bills...I would be using Serotonin therapy (where I get a small injection of Serotonin 2x weekly) as I have a deficiency in this chemical produced by the brain (which is stimulated by pot).    To any ADHD adult out there who may read this.... please use caution and do serious research before turning to pot for treatment. And if you do use weed....please use it wisely and pay attention to your habbit and consumption as it is very easy to become addicted to it.

[noramay]

I smoked weed to quit using cocaine also and am now on adderol and love it so far. I don't stay high very long so I am not sure how long I will continue using marijauna? My counsler told me that on this med I might even quit smoking cigarettes. That couldn't hurt any.

[ChrisMMJ]

I just had a thought on this subject. First, Pot is short for "potiguaya", which is "marijuana leaves" in the mexican dialect of Spanish. Secondly, I have had trouble with ADHD my entire life. irritation depression and anxiety you couldn't imagine, and Stimulants have far worse effects on your body than marijuana. Third, I am now on my 2nd year of college and about to start my life for once and i owe it to Marijuana, my inability to understand and focus on a subject or a teacher has been eliminated and i can stop and focus on my homework as well. I have been on many stimulants including Concerta, Ritalin and not just Methylphenidates but Amphetamines as well. These have given way to new meanings of anxiety and feelings of depression. If you can find degenerative materials within Medical Marijuana (Scientific Journal entries) please inform me of this as i have not come across such "facts". Like any other medication it works for some but not for others. If someone without ADHD takes stimulants then they are obviously a drug addict loving the high. Same goes for Marijuana. Sorry it just irritates me to no end when people degrade something they clearly have little to no understanding of and basing information on what they observe from there adolescent teen.

[greymeanie154]

it does not put holes in your brain. you are wrong. marijuana does nothing detrimental to the human body. you can not die from it. the one and only reason it kills brain cells is because you are breathing in smoke, not clean oxygen/air. cigarrets kill more brain cells. and alcohol. and asprin. and advil. and all your other man maid ******** in this world. stop being such stereotypes people.

[AnonymousHelper]

No disrespect intended ma'am, but there are various ways to consume cannabis and if it vaporized there are no carcinogens. It is pure water vapor and THC/CBD depending on what strain of cannabis is consumed. Also, that is not the reason it is referred to as pot.

I have ADHD, am 18 years old and cannabis helps me do homework after school. My medicine wears me completely out mentally during the day so that by the time I get home it is impossible for me to concentrate on homework and I have absolutely no motivation. Cannabis makes my homework a fun and challenging puzzle instead of a required task/chore.
There are also studies that show that ADD sufferers are able to focus more clearly while under the influence of "pot" because it awakens the pariental lobe of the brain that.

[AnonymousHelper]

No disrespect intended ma'am, but there are various ways to consume cannabis and if it vaporized there are no carcinogens. It is pure water vapor and THC/CBD depending on what strain of cannabis is consumed. Also, that is not the reason it is referred to as pot.

I have ADHD, am 18 years old and cannabis helps me do homework after school. My medicine wears me completely out mentally during the day so that by the time I get home it is impossible for me to concentrate on homework and I have absolutely no motivation. Cannabis makes my homework a fun and challenging puzzle instead of a required task/chore.
There are also studies that show that ADD sufferers are able to focus more clearly while under the influence of "pot" because it awakens and increases activity in the pariental lobe.

[rob103]

I do not mean to disprove your comments but the most harmful thing about pot is the police, and the black market. I used to smoke Marijuana and my parents test my urine and they found traces of Phencyclidine (PCP) Needless to say i stopped smoking after that. The point is that if marijuana was legal the PCP would had never been there. And furthermore Marijuana is not called pot because of " it literally causes divots (pot holes) in your brain.  Kind of like sever acne, on a face." Your are ignorant for thinking so. marijuana kills brain cells -- is based on research done during the second Reefer Madness Movement. A study attempted to show that marijuana smoking damaged brain structures in monkeys. The test was performed by placing a gas mask on a monkey and pumping marijuana smoke in for 30 mins at a time, with no brakes for oxygen or clean air.  The study was poorly performed and it was severely criticized by a medical review board. Studies done afterwards failed to show any brain damage, in fact a very recent study on Rhesus monkeys used technology so sensitive that scientists could actually see the effect of learning on brain cells, and it found no damage.

So please stop informing people things that you know nothing about.

[rob103]

I do not mean to disprove your comments but the most harmful thing about pot is the police, and the black market. I used to smoke Marijuana and my parents test my urine and they found traces of Phencyclidine (PCP) Needless to say i stopped smoking after that. The point is that if marijuana was legal the PCP would had never been there. And furthermore Marijuana is not called pot because of " it literally causes divots (pot holes) in your brain.  Kind of like sever acne, on a face." Your are ignorant for thinking so. marijuana kills brain cells -- is based on research done during the second Reefer Madness Movement. A study attempted to show that marijuana smoking damaged brain structures in monkeys. The test was performed by placing a gas mask on a monkey and pumping marijuana smoke in for 30 mins at a time, with no brakes for oxygen or clean air.  The study was poorly performed and it was severely criticized by a medical review board. Studies done afterwards failed to show any brain damage, in fact a very recent study on Rhesus monkeys used technology so sensitive that scientists could actually see the effect of learning on brain cells, and it found no damage.

So please stop informing people things that you know nothing about.

[katfan77]

i am 33 yrs old & have fought with adhd all of my life. outside of a doctor nobody has any clue about what this does to you (they only know the science), my parents still act like they hold a grudge against me for stuff i did 20-30 yrs ago. cannabis works best for me with an adderall in the morning, nobody want to hear this works for some reason. if i take the adderall all day like they tell me i experience side effects that i hate. why is it we are told pot is so wrong when science has proven all the propaganda wrong. JOd3 you have absolutely no clue what you are talking about, pot has NEVER killed anyone in the 12000+ years people have used it & the study ronald regan propped up to show pot was harmful & was said to prove pot killed braincells was complete b.s.. the monkeys they used were hooked to a machine that forced pure cannabis smoke into their lungs with very low oxygen levels at a rate of 90 joints worth in just 5 mins & after they died after just a few months the brain showed a large # of dead braincells. well you dumb f&*ks when you freaking suffocate the first thing that happens is braincell loss that is after death so by suffocating monkey's with pot smoke was proof for regan that it not only killed braincells it killed you. how ironic it is the s.o.b. died from alzheimer's & researchers are finding that it could be one of the best substances known to slow & help the effects.

[staceman]

i have a 20 year crack cocaine addiction and was diagnosed with a.d.h.d about 6 months ago and placed on 15mg of adderal i realy dont know how it has helped my a.d.h.d but it sure as hell has helped alot with my cocacaine addiction it dose have side effects for mebut i recently discovered that adding weed too the mix has realy been a good thing for me i lost my scripts for adderal during a move and within 1 week fully relapsed in too my crack cocaine addiction just got bak on meds and dont want cocaine at all and the weed  gives me appetite as well as alows me too get a good nights sleep can anyone relate too this combination

[tomsudblg]

My son was diagnosed with ADD when he was in the third grade.I have refused to have him take any of the perscription meds.He has been in private school thru 8th grade and doing pretty good(C average).We wanted him to enjoy his H.S. years,so I let him smoke some weed and do homework.It's been amazing to say the least.He just finished 9th grade,happy and carrying a 3.8 GPA.He's the same kid weather he smokes or not,his friends can't even tell when he's high.It allows him to REALLY focas on whatever he wants and he does a great job at anything weather it be surfing,school,playing games or even when he cooks he does a better job of it.I recommend smoking weed for everyone,throw away all those perscription drugs and that killer alchohl.This stuff is all natural.