Higher doses of the minor cannabinoid CBN were associated with lower ADHD symptom scores in medical cannabis patients
In 59 medical cannabis patients with ADHD, higher monthly cannabis doses were associated with stopping ADHD medications, and higher cannabinol (CBN) consumption specifically was associated with lower ADHD symptom scores.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Higher cannabis dose consumers and those with lower ADHD symptom scores more frequently reported stopping all ADHD medications. An association was found between lower ADHD symptoms and higher CBN doses, but not with THC doses. Lower ADHD scores also correlated with lower anxiety.
Key Numbers
59 patients surveyed, chemovar data available for 27. High-dose group: 40-70 g/month. Low-dose group: 20-30 g/month. Lower ADHD scores associated with higher CBN doses. THC dose was not associated with ADHD scores.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional questionnaire study of 59 adult medical cannabis patients with physician-diagnosed ADHD. Cannabis chemovar data (cannabinoid and terpene content) could be calculated for 27 patients. Patients were stratified by monthly dose and ADHD symptom severity.
Why This Research Matters
CBN is a minor cannabinoid that has received little research attention. The association with lower ADHD scores, independent of THC, suggests that specific cannabis components beyond THC and CBD may have therapeutic relevance.
The Bigger Picture
If confirmed, the CBN finding could shift focus from THC-dominant products to cannabis formulations enriched in minor cannabinoids for ADHD management, though the evidence is far too preliminary for clinical recommendations.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample, especially for chemovar analysis (n=27). Cross-sectional design cannot determine if cannabis improved ADHD or if patients with milder ADHD chose higher doses. Self-reported ADHD diagnosis and outcomes.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would a controlled trial of CBN show ADHD symptom improvement?
- ?Why was CBN but not THC associated with lower symptoms?
- ?Is the medication reduction a result of symptom improvement or patient preference?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- CBN (not THC) associated with lower ADHD symptom scores
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: very small cross-sectional study with limited chemovar data.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2020 in Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal.
- Original Title:
- Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Doses are Associated with Adult ADHD Status of Medical Cannabis Patients.
- Published In:
- Rambam Maimonides medical journal, 11(1) (2020)
- Authors:
- Hergenrather, Jeffrey Y, Aviram, Joshua(2), Vysotski, Yelena, Campisi-Pinto, Salvatore, Lewitus, Gil M, Meiri, David
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02607
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBN?
Cannabinol (CBN) is a minor cannabinoid that forms when THC degrades over time. It is present in small amounts in aged cannabis and has been associated with sedative effects, though it has received far less research than THC or CBD.
Should people with ADHD use cannabis?
This study is far too small and preliminary to recommend cannabis for ADHD. The CBN finding is intriguing but needs replication in controlled studies. Current evidence does not support cannabis as an ADHD treatment.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02607APA
Hergenrather, Jeffrey Y; Aviram, Joshua; Vysotski, Yelena; Campisi-Pinto, Salvatore; Lewitus, Gil M; Meiri, David. (2020). Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Doses are Associated with Adult ADHD Status of Medical Cannabis Patients.. Rambam Maimonides medical journal, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.5041/RMMJ.10384
MLA
Hergenrather, Jeffrey Y, et al. "Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Doses are Associated with Adult ADHD Status of Medical Cannabis Patients.." Rambam Maimonides medical journal, 2020. https://doi.org/10.5041/RMMJ.10384
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Doses are Associated with Adult AD..." RTHC-02607. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/hergenrather-2020-cannabinoid-and-terpenoid-doses
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.