ADHD patients treated with medical cannabis showed significant improvements in quality of life, anxiety, and sleep quality sustained over 12 months, with mostly moderate adverse events.
ADHD clinicians, medical cannabis prescribers, and patients exploring treatment options.
12-month improvementsin anxiety and sleep quality sustained throughout follow-up in ADHD patients on medical cannabis
What the researchers found
Significant improvements in EQ-5D-5L (quality of life) at 1, 3, and 6 months, and in GAD-7 (anxiety) and sleep quality scores at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (all p<0.01).
Why it matters
ADHD is often accompanied by anxiety, sleep problems, and reduced quality of life. This registry data suggests medical cannabis may address these common comorbidities.
The numbers in context
68 patients met criteria. 61 adverse events in 11 patients (16.18%). Most AEs were moderate (38.24%). Significant improvements in HRQoL, anxiety, and sleep sustained through 12 months.
How the study worked
Observational registry analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry using patient-reported outcome measures at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
Who was studied
68 ADHD patients treated with cannabis-based medicinal products from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.
What this study cannot tell us
No control group or randomization. Small sample (n=68). Registry data subject to selection bias. Cannot prove causation. Attrition over 12 months not detailed.
How to read the evidence
Uncontrolled registry data; provides preliminary real-world evidence but cannot establish causation.
When this study was published
Recent UK Medical Cannabis Registry data.
The bigger picture
While controlled trials are lacking, this registry data provides real-world evidence that medical cannabis may be tolerable and associated with symptomatic improvement in ADHD, supporting the case for randomized controlled trials.
Replication
Uncontrolled registry data; RCTs needed to confirm efficacy.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- Would these improvements hold up in a placebo-controlled trial?
- Which cannabis formulations are most effective for ADHD-related symptoms?
Read the original research
UK Medical Cannabis Registry: An analysis of clinical outcomes of medicinal cannabis therapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Neuropsychopharmacology reports, 43(4), 596-606
Citation
Ittiphakorn, Pim; Erridge, Simon; Holvey, Carl; Coomber, Ross; Rucker, James J; Sodergren, Mikael H. (2023). UK Medical Cannabis Registry: An analysis of clinical outcomes of medicinal cannabis therapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.. Neuropsychopharmacology reports, 43(4), 596-606. https://doi.org/10.1002/npr2.12400