Effects of Medicinal Cannabis on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Scientists read internet forums to learn more about patients attempting to self-treat their ADHD using cannabis
As it appears, one of the first steps towards a more comprehensive research on hyperactivity disorder therapy using medical cannabis is the activity of researchers from Duke University on internet forums.
Research rarely begins in a laboratory, but is usually prompted by a situation or story that raises questions. Before we start mocking the fact that these researchers are collecting data for studies from internet forums, it's good to realize one thing: why would researchers connect ADHD treatment and cannabis, if there weren't curious experimenters trying home treatment and succeeding?
"One of the main goals of this study was to systematically characterize the most frequently used information portal by patients and caregivers, where they also leave their opinions and experiences: the Internet," the scientists explain. "Approximately 72% of adults and 84% of adolescents search for healthcare information online."
Currently, there is no official research, let alone clinical studies, that would address ADHD treatment using medical cannabis. The only available data comes from studies looking at cannabis use as problematic. These studies only examined the relationship between cannabis use disorder and the occurrence of hyperactivity with attention deficit.
While these analyses of information from internet forums lack crucial demographic data and empirical evidence of effectiveness, they raised the question: is it possible that cannabis could have a favorable effect on ADHD?
From a total of 401 posts selected from 258 relevant discussions, scientists concluded the following:
- 25% of total posts suggest that cannabis has a therapeutic effect on ADHD
- 8% suggest cannabis might be harmful
- 2% of posts claim cannabis has no effect on ADHD
However, scientists note that on certain types of internet forums, user approach and final opinion can be somewhat skewed by a "pro-cannabis sentiment" and popularity of medical cannabis, yet there is still a solid foundation of unofficial information pointing to the potential of this plant and its positive effect on ADHD.
Internet, Fountain of Information
What makes this qualitative analysis an interesting piece of scientific literature is the origin of data from which statistical results were derived. This study is a clear example that:
- Opinions and stories people share on the internet have a real impact on the scientific approach to cannabis and public opinion
- Many patients are still forced to seek and draw information from unverified data available only online
"Yes, it's true that when it comes to mental health, most people prefer searching for information online, rather than face-to-face contact," the scientists explain. "These internet forums provide patients with a space for social interaction where they can share their experiences and problems without any filter or pretense, making them an excellent source of information that can help us better understand what patients and their caregivers go through in the case of ADHD."
When you look at the cannabis strain database on Leafly, which also contains countless user comments and experiences with individual strains and their applications against ADHD, you begin to understand what a powerful database the internet really is, and why scientists are looking into it.
However, many questions remain unanswered. How can cannabis influence brain connections and thus positively or negatively affect those associated with ADHD development? How could a cannabis alternative impact problematic treatment using stimulants? Many questions, little research. Analysis of internet forums is a tiny step, but every step in the right direction counts.
Author: Bailey Rahn
Translation: Filip Maral
Source: leafly.com
Images: cdns countercurrentnews