And if you needed one more reason why weed is a gift from God: new data suggests that medical marijuana eases the symptoms of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
According to Metro, the German study corralled 30 patients with ADHD who had little success with traditional methods of treatment and used herbal cannabis as a substitute. All subjects reported ‘improved concentration and sleep’ and ‘reduced impulsivity’ following cannabis therapy.
Hold up, check out this kitten giving it’s buddy a massage.
Patients found the treatment so successful that 22 of the 30 patricipants chose to discontinue their prescribed pharmaceutical drugs in favor of medical marijuana.
Previous research on the subject is limited but the most in-depth may be cannabis research figurehead, Dr. David Bearman.
Bearman states that since ADHD pertains to a psychological irregularity in the brain’s dopamine levels involved in cognitive processes like memory and attention, cannabis could correct the levels in a more effective way than traditional drugs like Adderall and Ritalin.
“Cannabis appears to treat ADD and ADHD by increasing the availability of dopamine,” Dr. Bearman wrote. “This then has the same effect but is a different mechanism of action than stimulants like Ritalin (methylphenidate) and dexedrine amphetamine, which act by binding to the dopamine and interfering with the metabolic breakdown of dopamine.”
Translation (courtesy of Leafly): The compounds found in cannabis, called cannabinoids, could potentially correct the dopamine deficiency observed in ADD/ADHD patients if dosed appropriately and administered safely.
Hold on, quick boobie break.
In the U.S., only two states–California and Colorado, allow the prescription of medicinal cannabis to treat ADHD and it is only at the doctors discretion.
There’s only one thing left to be said:
[h/t Metro]