What are the effects of cannabis on ADHD?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Cannabis is a common form of self-medication among adults with ADHD, but there is very little clinical research to support claims of either harm or benefit from regular cannabis use. Some data suggest that adults with ADHD may be 2-3 times more likely to use cannabis than adults without ADHD and may also be at an increased risk for cannabis use disorder.

    Cannabis may improve symptoms of inattention in ADHD. However, cannabis use is also associated with neurocognitive deficits and reduced memory and executive functions in adults with and without ADHD. Thus, while many adults with ADHD advocate for cannabis’s therapeutic effects, clinical trials are needed to study the direct effects of cannabis use on ADHD symptoms.[1]