Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Adults with ADHD share their medical cannabis experiences

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Approximately 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent. Taking place from 17-23 March, Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that aims to challenge misconceptions about those living with neurodivergent conditions and to empower these individuals by celebrating their differences. 

Founded by teenager Siena Castellon in 2018, the event aims to create a more inclusive culture in society, supporting schools, universities, workplaces, and organisations around the world to recognise the skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals.

What is ADHD? 

ADHD is one of the most common neurodivergent conditions, affecting an estimated 5-10% of children and 3-4% of adults worldwide. Rates of ADHD diagnosis increased 20-fold in the UK between 2008-2018. 

While it is usually diagnosed in childhood, increasingly people are being diagnosed later in life and many go undiagnosed for many years. This is particularly true for women, due to differences in how it presents in males and females.

Releaf patients Isabelle and Georgia, who we will hear from later in this blog, were both diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 20, having been previously told their symptoms were due to anxiety and depression in their teens. 

ADHD is generally characterised by traits of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can impact day-to-day, including education, work and social life. It is therefore important that organisations and individuals in society are aware of this and how they can provide support.

Unique strengths and challenges of ADHD

No two individuals with ADHD are the same. It can affect everyone differently, which can make getting the right diagnosis and treatment challenging. 

Many adults view some of their ADHD traits as positive, giving them unique strengths such as the ability to ‘hyperfocus’, as well as creativity, adaptability, and enthusiasm. However, they can also cause challenges and struggles in daily life, such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness and feeling overwhelmed with everyday tasks. 

Releaf patient and father-of-three, Ollie noted that his ADHD “heightens intuition and empathy.” But at the same time, he has often struggled to focus due to overthinking. 

He explained: “It was always like squirrels running around, or like having 50 or 60 browser windows open at the same time, and knowing exactly what was going on in every one of them.”

Georgia, now 27, struggled with difficulty concentrating, anxiety and trouble sleeping for years before she got her diagnosis.

She said: “With my ADHD, I either have so much energy that people around me are like, "Oh my God, does she ever stop!" - or I'm so drained that I can't do anything, and I get really fatigued.”

ADHD and medical cannabis

Can you get medical cannabis for ADHD?

Ollie and Georgia are among hundreds of patients in the UK who are now using medical cannabis treatment to help address some of these challenges. 

Cannabis-based medicines are available privately, through clinics like Releaf, for individuals whose symptoms have not been effectively managed by at least two other treatments. 

How does cannabis improve symptoms of ADHD?

Scientific research on medical cannabis and ADHD is still in its infancy, but real-world observations and patient-reported outcomes suggest it can be beneficial for managing common symptoms such as anxiety and poor sleep, as well as generally improving quality of life and overall well-being. 

Releaf’s Clinical Director, Dr David Tang, explained how CBMPs work differently to conventional ADHD medications.

He said: “Unlike conventional pharmaceuticals, which are generally one receptor type targets, medical cannabis has a team of different compounds that all work to almost ‘graphic equalise’ a human being.”

“When it comes to ADHD, there are so many different aspects, so to be managed just by one pill targeting just a few receptors - I just think the concept is fanciful.”

Patient perspectives: Georgia, Isabelle and Ollie 

Since starting medical cannabis treatment, Georgia says her sleep has improved, as a result, helping her establish a better routine and making her more productive during the day. 

She says: “Over the past six months, it's improved my routine, my work-life balance, and my productivity. 

“I'm sleeping better, I'm getting up earlier in the morning, and I've been coming to work on time, or even early. I'm then more productive in the day because I'm having more quality sleep.”

Isabelle, 21, believes medical cannabis has enabled her to tackle the day-to-day challenges that had, at times, felt overwhelming before.

She says: “I guess the best way for me to put it is that after I medicate with my prescribed cannabis, life’s challenges feel smaller and much less overwhelming. The big tasks aren’t as daunting, and I feel more relaxed overall. It’s really changed my life in that way.”

Ollie also found that medical cannabis improved his day-to-day life by helping “be in the moment” instead of overthinking all the time. 

However, one of the biggest benefits for him has been having more autonomy over his treatment plan. Unlike other medications he tried through his GP, with the ongoing support of his doctor at Releaf, he is able to adjust the dose as needed depending on his changing situations and stressors.

He says: “That's what healthcare should be about: the patient should be in the driver's seat. That's what Releaf feels like.”

An expert’s insight 

Dr Tang reiterated some of these perspectives when drawing on his own experience of the use of medical cannabis treatments in ADHD. 

He said: “Medical cannabis can help to reduce inattentiveness and anxiety while promoting focus - it can stop all the millions of thoughts racing round from escaping instantaneously - because that is how noisy the ADHD brain is.”

Dr Tang added: “It almost acts like an antidote to 21st century life: the hyper-anxious, social media driven lifestyle - the inflammation, the chronic conditions, the poor sleep, the substance misuse. It lets us check out from it for a bit and just recuperate - if it's applied properly that is.”

How to get medical cannabis for ADHD

If you have a diagnosis of ADHD and think you may benefit from treatment with medical cannabis, it’s important to do so under the guidance of a medical professional. 

You can use the Releaf eligibility checker to determine if it's right for you. A team of expert clinicians will then review your application and if appropriate you will be invited to schedule an appointment with a specialist consultant.

You can find out more about medical cannabis via the FAQs page or by contacting a member of the team.