Three Young Men with ADHD Report Improvements After Adding Cannabis to Treatment
Three males aged 18-23 with ADHD who added cannabis to their treatment reported improvements in depression (30-81%), anxiety (up to 33%), emotional regulation (22-78%), and inattention (7-30%).
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Semistructured interviews and validated rating scales showed improvements in PHQ-9 depression scores (8-22 points, 30-81%), SCARED anxiety scores (0-27 points, up to 33%), CEER-9 regulation scores (2-7 points, 22-78%), and SNAP-9 inattention scores (2-8 points, 7-30%). Mild adverse events included short-term memory problems, dry mouth, and sleepiness.
Key Numbers
PHQ-9 improved 8-22 points (30-81%); SCARED improved 0-27 points (up to 33%); CEER-9 improved 2-7 points (22-78%); SNAP-9 improved 2-8 points (7-30%); plasma CBD 0-15.29 ng/mL; plasma THC 1.32-13.76 ng/mL
How They Did This
Case series of three males (ages 18, 22, 23) with ADHD who integrated cannabis into their treatment. Pre- and post-cannabis validated rating scale scores were compared, and plasma cannabinoid levels were measured.
Why This Research Matters
Many ADHD patients self-medicate with cannabis despite a lack of evidence. These detailed cases with validated measures and plasma levels provide a starting point for understanding potential benefits and risks.
The Bigger Picture
An increasing number of ADHD patients are turning to cannabis despite no clinical trials supporting its use. These case reports suggest potential benefits worth studying but cannot substitute for controlled trials.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only three patients, all male. No control group or blinding. Cannot separate cannabis effects from other treatments or natural variation. Self-reported symptom improvements.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would these improvements hold up in a randomized controlled trial?
- ?Are the benefits driven by THC, CBD, or both?
- ?Do the memory side effects offset attention improvements?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Depression scores improved 30-81%
- Evidence Grade:
- Three-patient case series without controls. Provides detailed individual data but cannot establish efficacy.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022
- Original Title:
- Cannabis for the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Report of 3 Cases.
- Published In:
- Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 5(1), 1-6 (2022)
- Authors:
- Mansell, Holly(3), Quinn, Declan(2), Kelly, Lauren E(6), Alcorn, Jane
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04035
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis help with ADHD?
These three case reports showed improvements across multiple ADHD-related measures after adding cannabis, but with only three patients and no controls, this cannot be considered evidence of efficacy. Clinical trials are recommended.
What side effects were reported?
Mild adverse events included short-term memory problems, dry mouth, and sleepiness. Cannabinoids were not detected in blood before dosing, suggesting no accumulation between uses.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04035APA
Mansell, Holly; Quinn, Declan; Kelly, Lauren E; Alcorn, Jane. (2022). Cannabis for the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Report of 3 Cases.. Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 5(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1159/000521370
MLA
Mansell, Holly, et al. "Cannabis for the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Report of 3 Cases.." Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1159/000521370
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis for the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivit..." RTHC-04035. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/mansell-2022-cannabis-for-the-treatment
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.