The Dark Side of Cannabis: How High THC Strains Can Worsen ADHD
If you’re like many of us, you’ve always felt different, you may not have known until late in life about your ADHD. Or maybe you were tested younger, but didn’t get the support that you needed. Or if you’re like me and others, the stigma of medications, the lack of access to healthcare and therapy, and misdiagnosis caused many of us to not get the treatment we needed. You've been exhausted, frustrated, and desperate for relief. For many of us, when we get to a certain point, we start self-medicating. Unfortunately for us, marijuana is one of the number one dopamine-seeking drugs of choice for people with ADHD.
But here's the harsh truth: the weed you're smoking might be making your ADHD worse, not better. This isn’t entirely your fault though, some aspects of weed do seem to help with some of the symptoms. However, with so much misinformation and lack of regulation in the cannabis industry, it's easy to fall into the trap of high THC strains that wreak havoc on our already struggling brains. I know, because for 18 years, I have struggled with marijuana addiction.
The THC Problem
THC, the compound that gets you high, is like kryptonite for the ADHD brain. It hits us right where we're already vulnerable:
Executive function
Impulsivity
Memory
Sound familiar? That's because these are the exact areas that ADHD affects. When we consume high THC strains, it's like pouring gasoline on the fire of our symptoms. We might feel a temporary sense of relief or euphoria, but in the long run, we're just digging ourselves deeper into the hole of dysfunction.
For those who are on medication, this effectively negates the effects of medications, causing people to stop using them. After time, these issues begin to make ADHD symptoms become worse and worse, stacking on the worst aspects of ADHD, and causing us to ignore the strengths that we may have. It was bad in the 90’s, but today’s strains are significantly worse.
The Potency in Today’s Cannabis
Speaking of, let's talk about the potency of today's weed. It's not the mellow herb of the past. Commercial strains can have mind-blowing THC levels of 10-30%, with some vape pens hitting a staggering 85-90%. That's like going from drinking a beer to drinking pure ethanol. A quick look at this chart shows just how potent marijuana has become.
The Addiction Trap
As if the THC levels themselves weren't bad enough, having ADHD puts us at a significantly higher risk of addiction, even for drugs like marijuana. When we find something that gives us a moment of peace from the constant chaos in our heads, it's all too easy to chase that feeling until it consumes us. In fact, research has shown that people with ADHD are more likely to develop substance abuse problems. I won’t go into it a lot here, but you can read about it in this ADDitude article: The Truth About ADHD and Addiction.
The CBD Misconception
Why does it seem to help though? The most popular hypothesis is because of the CBD content in weed. CBD, the non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, has shown some potential for managing anxiety and mood issues. However, most strains today only have a tiny amount of CBD, usually 1-3%. This Healthline article on the differences between indica and sativa strains dives deeper into the CBD content of various strains.
To get a therapeutic dose from smoking cannabis, you'd have to smoke an absurd amount. This can be bumped up significantly by using gummies or concentrated tinctures. However, the research on CBD for ADHD specifically is very limited. While some anecdotal evidence suggests CBD may help with ADHD symptoms, as noted in this ADDitude piece on patients trying CBD oil, more studies are needed to draw firm conclusions.
Navigating the Medical Maze
So if weed isn't the answer, what is? Getting a proper diagnosis and treatment is crucial, but for many of us with ADHD, that's easier said than done. We face obstacles at every turn, from lack of insurance to the pervasive stigma around adult ADHD. We're frequently misdiagnosed with conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety, while the root cause of our struggles goes unaddressed.
To get there, you'll need to find ADHD-informed psychiatrists who truly understand the complexities of the condition. Come armed with a detailed list of your symptoms to help them see the full picture. Don't be afraid to ask questions, demand thorough testing, and fight for the care you deserve.
It's also essential to work with a therapist who gets both ADHD and trauma. So many of us with ADHD have faced significant trauma, which can compound our symptoms and make treatment even more challenging. As pointed out in this article from Jefferson Health:
"People with ADHD are 3 to 4 times more likely to have experienced trauma, which can further complicate symptoms and treatment."
A skilled therapist can help you untangle those knots and develop coping strategies that work for your unique brain.
Lifestyle Changes That Matter
What if you don't have access to proper diagnosis and treatment yet? While those are invaluable tools, they're not the only way to start taking control of your ADHD. There are lifestyle changes you can make today that can have a profound impact:
Make sleep and work-life balance non-negotiable priorities
Exercise regularly to give your dopamine levels a natural boost
Fuel your brain with a nutrient-rich diet full of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs
Simplify your life and learn to say no to unnecessary stressors
Learn ADHD-specific meditation and mindfulness techniques to help manage emotional dysregulation
Develop ADHD-friendly organization and executive functioning strategies
Implementing these changes can feel utterly overwhelming when you're already drowning in ADHD symptoms. That's where the guidance of an ADHD coach can be life-changing. A coach can help you navigate the medical maze, identify the most impactful lifestyle shifts, and create a step-by-step plan to make it all feel manageable. They can be your ally, your accountability partner, and your cheerleader on the path to a thriving life with ADHD.
You're Not Alone on This Journey
Living with ADHD in a world that wasn't built for our brains is an ongoing battle. It's messy, it's exhausting, and it can feel utterly hopeless at times. But no matter how lost you feel right now, know this: you are not alone, and you are not broken.
Your brain is a marvel, full of creativity, passion, and resilience. It just needs the right support and strategies to shine. By educating yourself, fighting for your needs, and surrounding yourself with people who get it, you can start to build a life that works with your ADHD, not against it.
Your ADHD is not a weakness, it's a different power waiting to be unleashed. One step, one day, one victory at a time. And whenever you need a reminder that you're not walking this path alone, know that the Men’s ADHD Support Group is here, cheering you on every step of the way.
Join us as we redefine what it means to thrive with ADHD, together. Your brightest chapter is just beginning.
Shane Thrapp is a Certified ADHD Life, Relationship, and Career Coach, and the Operations Director for our nonprofit.
Through his business, Creating Order From Chaos, he has helped hundreds of people find their paths through the chaos of life with ADHD and find their order and purpose.
He is also the Operations Director for our nonprofit Men’s ADHD Support Group and a public speaker who works to be a voice in advocacy for adult ADHD awareness.
If you want to help support our efforts, then please consider donating or volunteering so that we can keep Inspiring, Educating, and Empowering men to thrive with their ADHD.
