What are the effects of cannabis on ADHD?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Cannabis is often used by adults with ADHD as a form of self-medication, but there is limited clinical research on its effects; some evidence suggests that it may improve inattention symptoms while also posing risks for neurocognitive deficits. Adults with ADHD may be more likely to use cannabis, which highlights the need for further clinical trials to understand its effect on ADHD symptoms.

    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]

    What are the effects of cannabis on ADHD? - Examine