A review of the literature finds that people with ADHD are at higher risk for cannabis dependence and may self-medicate with it, while early evidence suggests CBD may have therapeutic potential through dopamine and norepinephrine modulation.
People with ADHD who use or consider using cannabis, and clinicians managing ADHD patients.
People with ADHD are at higher risk for cannabis dependence
What the researchers found
Individuals with ADHD have elevated risk for substance use and cannabis dependence. Some may use cannabis to manage anxiety or medication side effects. Both in vivo and clinical investigations suggest cannabinoids, particularly CBD, may have therapeutic potential in ADHD, possibly through modulation of dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems.
Why it matters
ADHD affects millions of people, and existing medications have significant side effects and limitations. If cannabinoids (particularly CBD) prove effective, they could offer a new treatment option for a population that already uses cannabis at elevated rates.
The numbers in context
Review covers epidemiological data on ADHD-cannabis co-occurrence, self-medication patterns, and multiple proposed pharmacological mechanisms including dopamine and norepinephrine modulation.
How the study worked
Comprehensive narrative review of literature on cannabinoid effects in ADHD, examining epidemiological associations, self-medication patterns, preclinical evidence, clinical studies, and proposed pharmacological mechanisms.
What this study cannot tell us
Narrative review with limited clinical evidence. Most mechanistic evidence is from animal studies. No large-scale RCTs of cannabinoids for ADHD exist. The review cannot determine whether cannabis use in ADHD is beneficial or harmful.
How to read the evidence
Narrative review compiling limited evidence. No large clinical trials exist for cannabinoids in ADHD.
When this study was published
Published in 2025.
The bigger picture
The intersection of ADHD and cannabis use is a growing clinical reality. Understanding whether cannabis use in this population is self-medication versus additional risk is essential for both ADHD treatment and cannabis policy.
Questions still open
- Could CBD specifically treat ADHD symptoms without the risks of THC? Would controlled clinical trials show benefit, or would the risks outweigh any therapeutic effect?
Common questions
Should people with ADHD use cannabis?
Why might CBD help ADHD?
Read the original research
Cannabinoids and ADHD: a New Frontier in Neuropharmacology?
Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN, 75(4), 146
Citation
Mavaddat, Helia; Fouladi, Abtin; Kashani, Ayeh Sabbagh; Khayatan, Illia; Andarzbaksh, Kamyab; Razavi, Seyed Mehrad; Rezazadeh, Amir. (2025). Cannabinoids and ADHD: a New Frontier in Neuropharmacology?. Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN, 75(4), 146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-025-02435-3
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