Adults with ADHD symptoms experienced more daily cannabis consequences, especially around sleep use
Among 62 regular cannabis users tracked daily for 14 days, those with more ADHD symptoms experienced more daily cannabis consequences, particularly on days when they used cannabis for boredom or sleep.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Higher past-6-month ADHD symptoms predicted more daily cannabis consequences overall. Using cannabis for boredom or sleep was associated with more consequences on those days. Although ADHD symptoms were associated with more consequences on days with sleep motives, the relationship was actually stronger on days without sleep motives, suggesting ADHD-related consequences may overlap with ADHD symptoms themselves.
Key Numbers
62 participants; ages 19-25; 60% male; 14 daily reports; higher ADHD symptoms predicted more daily consequences; boredom and sleep motives predicted more consequences; cannabis consequences overlapped with ADHD symptoms
How They Did This
Daily diary study of 62 emerging adults (ages 19-25, 60% male) who used cannabis at least twice in the prior 2 weeks. Baseline ADHD screening followed by 14 daily reports on cannabis use, consequences, and motives.
Why This Research Matters
People with ADHD use cannabis at higher rates and may experience more negative consequences. Understanding that ADHD symptoms interact with specific cannabis use motives can inform targeted intervention strategies.
The Bigger Picture
The overlap between ADHD symptoms and cannabis consequences suggests that some "cannabis problems" in people with ADHD may actually be manifestations of ADHD itself, complicating both assessment and treatment of cannabis use disorder in this population.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample (62 participants). Self-reported ADHD symptoms rather than clinical diagnosis. 14-day window is brief. Only regular cannabis users included, limiting generalizability. Cannot separate cannabis effects from underlying ADHD.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would treating ADHD reduce cannabis-related consequences?
- ?Are standard cannabis consequence measures valid for people with ADHD, given the symptom overlap?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis consequences overlapped with ADHD symptoms, complicating assessment
- Evidence Grade:
- Novel daily diary design capturing within-person variation, but small sample and brief observation window limit conclusions.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021.
- Original Title:
- Exploring the Relationship Between ADHD Symptoms and Daily Cannabis Consequences in Emerging Adulthood: The Role of Cannabis Motives.
- Published In:
- Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 82(2), 228-236 (2021)
- Authors:
- Goldstein, Abby L(3), Shifrin, Alexandra, Katz, Jasmin L, Iu, Lap K, Kofler, Danielle
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03160
Evidence Hierarchy
Follows a group of people over time to track how outcomes develop.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people with ADHD have more cannabis problems?
The study found that cannabis consequences in people with ADHD overlapped with ADHD symptoms themselves (like difficulty concentrating, restlessness). This means some "cannabis problems" may actually be ADHD symptoms rather than true cannabis-caused impairment.
Does using cannabis for sleep help people with ADHD?
Using cannabis for sleep was associated with more daily consequences, not fewer. While people with ADHD commonly report using cannabis to help with sleep, the data suggest this pattern is associated with more problems overall.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03160APA
Goldstein, Abby L; Shifrin, Alexandra; Katz, Jasmin L; Iu, Lap K; Kofler, Danielle. (2021). Exploring the Relationship Between ADHD Symptoms and Daily Cannabis Consequences in Emerging Adulthood: The Role of Cannabis Motives.. Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 82(2), 228-236.
MLA
Goldstein, Abby L, et al. "Exploring the Relationship Between ADHD Symptoms and Daily Cannabis Consequences in Emerging Adulthood: The Role of Cannabis Motives.." Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 2021.
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Exploring the Relationship Between ADHD Symptoms and Daily C..." RTHC-03160. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/goldstein-2021-exploring-the-relationship-between
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.