Does your young child have ADHD? What you need to know about cannabis/marijuana use

Adolescence is a wonderful time. Many children at this age are tempted to try new things, do things they wouldn't normally do with their friends, and act a little rebellious. Some of these children even try things like marijuana/cannabis. In fact, a recent survey showed that 4 out of 10 high school students have used cannabis at some point in their lives. But if your child has a condition like ADHD ( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), this risk is even higher.

Why are young children with ADHD more likely to use cannabis?

One study found that young children with ADHD are about three times more likely to use drugs like marijuana than other children. So why is this happening? There is not one reason for this, but many factors.

Simply put, these are the things that affect it:

• Impulsive and risky behavior : Children with ADHD tend to be impulsive by nature. They tend to act impulsively without thinking much about the consequences of their actions. This makes them more likely to engage in risky behaviors.
• Problems at school and in society: These children have difficulty concentrating on their schoolwork. They also sometimes have difficulty maintaining relationships with their friends. As a result, they may turn to drugs like marijuana to relieve stress and frustration.
• Self-medication: Some children think that using marijuana will help them manage their ADHD symptoms. They also mistakenly think that it will also help them deal with things like restlessness and anxiety.
• Family influence: If a child's parents or someone in the family uses substances like marijuana, the child is more likely to turn to it as well.
• Genetic links: There is also a theory that common genetic factors may influence both ADHD and drug addiction.

What are the risks of a child with ADHD using cannabis?

Our brains are fully developed by the age of 25. So the potential harm to this developing brain from substance use during adolescence is significant. This is common to all children, with and without ADHD.

Let's take a closer look at what these risks are in the table below.

What do the studies on this really say?

The results of scientific research on this topic are actually a bit mixed . Some studies say one thing, and others say another.

For example, a 2016 study examined the brain activity of young people with ADHD. Some of them were regular cannabis users, while others were non-users. The researchers thought that the changes in the brain caused by ADHD might be more severe in those who used cannabis. But they didn't see any clear evidence of that. But they stressed that more research is needed on this topic.

However, another recent study showed that people who had severe ADHD symptoms in the past 6 months had more adverse effects when they used cannabis. This indirectly suggests that cannabis use can worsen ADHD symptoms .

So what we have to understand from all of this is that, although it has not been scientifically proven 100% that this is the case, there is a clear risk of a child with ADHD using cannabis.

So, is there no benefit to children with ADHD from using cannabis?

The most direct answer to this question is "no."

There is no scientific evidence yet that cannabis has any benefit for ADHD symptoms . In fact, it may actually make symptoms worse.

So why do some people think it's good? The problem lies in the misinformation that's spread on the internet and social media. One study analyzed the conversations about this on online forums. Imagine, 25% of those conversations, or a quarter, said that marijuana use was good for ADHD! Only 8% said it was harmful. So when a child sees this kind of information, they might think it must be true and be tempted to do this.

As a parent, how do you talk to your child about this?

Young children are more likely to experiment with things like marijuana, so it's important to have a friendly conversation with your child about this early on, rather than waiting until they have a problem.

Here are some tips to help you with that:

• Listen to your child first: Ask what he or she knows and thinks about the matter. Listen without getting angry, interrupting, or judging when he or she talks.
• Provide accurate information: Provide simple, understandable information about the risks of cannabis use, especially the effects it can have on a child with ADHD.
• Make sure your child understands: Ask questions about what you've said. Ask for their opinions. Keep it a conversation between you, not a lecture.
• Be honest (if you want to): You can be honest about your own experiences as a young person. But remember one thing: The potency of marijuana available today is much higher than it used to be. Therefore, explain to your child that the risks are also higher.

If you suspect, or know that your child is using marijuana, never ignore it . You may not be able to control your child 100% of the time. But it is very important to let your child know that you care about them and that you are thinking about their safety.

If you have any further questions about this, or are concerned about a change in your child's behavior, do not hesitate to consult your family doctor or a pediatrician for advice.

Cannabis, Hemp, Marijuana, Cannabis, ADHD, Adolescent Health, Mental Health