A scoping review found emerging evidence that endocannabinoid system dysfunction may contribute to ADHD, potentially explaining both the high rates of cannabis use in ADHD populations and the popular perception that cannabis is therapeutic for the condition.
ADHD researchers, addiction psychiatrists, cannabinoid pharmacologists
Cannabis use disorder more prevalent in ADHD than general population
What the researchers found
The review identifies neurobiological overlap between endocannabinoid function and cognitive dysfunction seen in ADHD. Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder are more prevalent in individuals with ADHD compared to the general population. However, the relationship between cannabis use and ADHD symptomology remains poorly understood.
Why it matters
ADHD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, and many patients self-medicate with cannabis. Understanding whether there is a genuine neurobiological basis for this could lead to targeted cannabinoid therapies or better risk communication.
The numbers in context
Cannabis use disorder more prevalent in ADHD than general population; neurobiological correlates identified between ECS function and ADHD cognitive dysfunction.
How the study worked
Scoping review of preclinical and clinical evidence on the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and ADHD, including studies of ECS dysfunction and cannabis use patterns in ADHD populations.
What this study cannot tell us
Scoping review maps the landscape but does not systematically assess evidence quality. Preclinical and clinical evidence is still limited. Cannot distinguish whether ADHD patients use cannabis because of ECS dysfunction or for other reasons.
How to read the evidence
Scoping review that maps an emerging field; evidence is early-stage and largely preclinical.
When this study was published
2024 publication
The bigger picture
If ECS dysfunction contributes to ADHD, it could explain both the therapeutic potential and the elevated risk of cannabis use disorder in this population. This has implications for whether cannabinoid-based treatments could be developed for ADHD.
Questions still open
- Could ECS-targeted therapies treat ADHD without the risks associated with cannabis use?
- Is the high rate of cannabis use in ADHD self-medication or shared vulnerability?
Common questions
Does cannabis help with ADHD?
Why do people with ADHD use cannabis more often?
Read the original research
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cannabis Use, and the Endocannabinoid System: A Scoping Review.
Developmental psychobiology, 66(7), e22540
Citation
Ryan, Jennie E; Fruchtman, Mitchell; Sparr-Jaswa, Andrea; Knehans, Amy; Worster, Brooke. (2024). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cannabis Use, and the Endocannabinoid System: A Scoping Review.. Developmental psychobiology, 66(7), e22540. https://doi.org/10.1002/dev.22540
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