What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD is one the most common disorders found in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Though commonly diagnosed during childhood, ADHD can last until adulthood and persist for many years. People sometimes dismiss ADHD as “normal kid behavior.” However, according to the National Resource Center on ADHD, which is part of Children and Adults with ADD (CHADD), “Some of the most prestigious scientific-based organizations in the world conclude that ADHD is a real disorder with potentially devastating consequences when not properly identified, diagnosed and treated.” Some of the common symptoms of ADHD are:- Squirming
- Fidgeting
- Talking too much
- Trouble getting along with others
- Daydreaming
- Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
- Difficulty finishing a given task
- Difficulty organizing a given task
- Difficulty paying attention to details
- Difficulty following instructions
- Becoming easily distracted
- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
- Fidgeting
- Problems sitting for too long
- Impulsiveness
- Excessive talking
- Combination
- Combination of the two prior presentations
What Causes ADHD?
According to CHADD, the exact cause of this condition has not been found, though it may be related to heredity (inherited genetic traits). As CHADD has noted, “Although precise causes have not yet been identified, there is little question that heredity makes the largest contribution to the expression of the disorder in the population.” There is a general misconception that excessive candy or sugar, lack of supervision, lack of physical exercise, poor living conditions, or lack of parental discipline are to blame for ADHD. There is no medical evidence suggesting the aforementioned factors cause ADHD, although some could potentially exacerbate the illness if it is already present.How is ADHD Treated?
Patients currently have several medication- and therapy-based options for ADHD treatment. These include:- Stimulants – These fast-acting medications can rapidly help decrease the symptoms associated with the condition.
- Non-Stimulants – These are slow-release medications, meaning that unlike stimulants, their effect is slower and they can last in the body for up to 24 hours.
- Behavior Therapy – This type of treatment is designed to help ADHD patients with behavioral problems that might be disruptive for others. The goal is to identify the unwanted behavior, and work towards instead reinforcing a desired behavior. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends behavior therapy to be prescribed first to ADHD patients.
How Does Medical Cannabis Work?
To understand how cannabis may treat ADHD, it is necessary to review how cannabis affects the body through an important regulatory system known as the “Endocannabinoid System” (ECS). The ECS is spread out across our body, mostly in the nervous system, and plays a key role in bodily functions such as pain regulation, appetite regulation, and control of inflammation. The ECS has two major receptors that each play an important role in how the body reacts to and produces “endocannabinoids” – natural compounds chemically similar to cannabinoids, like THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol), that are found in cannabis – to help maintain proper bodily function. These receptors are known as “CB1” and “CB2.” Cannabis has more than 100 compounds, the two most researched of which are THC and CBD. These two components, along with the other cannabinoids in medical marijuana, interact with our ECS, which temporarily alters the ECS’ functions. For instance, CBD can activate serotonin receptors found in our body, potentially creating an anti-anxiety effect. To provide another example, THC is commonly used to treat symptoms associated with chemotherapy, such as vomiting and loss of appetite.Does Medical Marijuana Treat ADHD?
Medical marijuana is not necessarily a “magic bullet” for ADHD or ADD. However, several studies signal the possibility of cannabis utilization to help ease the condition’s symptoms. For example, a study called “Subtypes of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cannabis use” was published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse in 2014. This study analyzed subtypes of ADHD and cannabis use among 2,811 people say florida marijuana doctors. When asked about how they felt when not using cannabis, a “higher proportion of daily users met symptom criteria for an ADHD diagnosis of the subtypes that include hyperactive-impulsive symptoms than the inattentive subtype,” indicating that cannabis use may help to alleviate at least certain presentations of ADHD. Another study presented at the Cannabinoid Conference in 2015, called “Successful Therapy of Treatment-Resistant Adult ADHD with Cannabis: Experience from a Medical Practice With 30 Patients,” concluded that, “For adult patients with ADHD, who experience side effects or do not profit from standard medication, cannabis may be an effective and well-tolerated alternative.” Cannabis could be a viable supplement to conventional methods for many people who are looking for a different approach to their treatment. While cannabis does not necessarily “cure” ADHD, it can certainly help to ameliorate the symptoms associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.Contact a Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor Today
ADHD is not a condition to be taken lightly, and should be managed with utmost caution. It’s important to be regularly evaluated by a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. However, keep in mind that medication does not have to be the only course of treatment for you or your loved one. To learn more about the health benefits of marijuana and how it may be able to help you with your condition, contact All Natural Medical online or at (800) 250-6737 for a free consultation. We offer confidential sessions and are conveniently located in Lakeland, Orlando, Lake Mary, Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale to serve residents of Florida.Here are just ten of the many health benefits attributed to the plant, as well as some of the problems associated with its use:
1. Alzheimer’s
Marijuana may be able to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to research by the Scripps Research Institute published in “Molecular Pharmaceutics.”
2. Anxiety
Harvard Medical School found that marijuana may have anti-anxiety effects. Of course, keep in mind that high doses may increase anxiety and paranoia.
3. Arthritis
Marijuana can alleviate pain and inflammation linked to arthritis.
4. Cancer
Research published in the journal “Molecular Cancer Therapeutics” suggests that cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in marijuana, turns off the “ID-1″ gene, which cancer cells use to spread.
5. Epilepsy
The use of cannabis to treat epilepsy and other neurological conditions has been studied for a number of years. It has been hotly debated too.
On June 25, 2018, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved EPIDIOLEX® (cannabidiol, CBD) oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two epilepsy syndromes – Lennox-Gastaut syndromeand Dravet syndrome – in people two years of age or older. Epidiolex represents a new medication option for children with these types of epilepsy. It is also the first ever FDA approved medication to treat seizures in Dravet syndrome. Studies conducted by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University indicate that marijuana may stop seizures says florida marijuana doctors – marijuana doctor in orlando – marijuana doctor in Orlando Florida. The FDA approval of Epidiolex will soon bring to market the first plant-based drug derived from the cannabis plant in the U.S. Before it can be distributed on the market, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) must place it on the Drug Schedule and states must create a pathway for it.
6. Glaucoma
Researchers are working to develop new cannabis-based drugs to treat glaucoma pain after determining marijuana’s effectiveness for treating the condition. Glaucoma is a condition that increases pressure inside the eyeball and can lead to vision loss.
7. Lung health
Research in the “Journal of the American Medical Association“ found that marijuana can increase lung capacity – not decrease it, as many people have long believed.
8. Multiple sclerosis
A study published in the “Canadian Medical Association Journal” found that cannabinoids significantly reduced multiple sclerosis pain.
9. Nausea
Marijuana contains a minimum of 60 cannabinoids. THC is the primary chemical associated with its mind-altering effects. THC has been used in the treatment of nausea, including drug- or chemotherapy-induced nausea.
10. Parkinson’s Disease
Research published in medpage found that marijuana use eased tremors and improved fine motor skills in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Despite these health benefits, it’s also important to consider the potential health risks of marijuana use:
• Addiction can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms in people who discontinue marijuana use.
• In high doses or in sensitive individuals, marijuana can cause anxiety and paranoia.
• Marijuana may impair memory.
• Mind-altering effects are particularly evident among young and first-time users.
• One study found an increase in risk of heart attack within the first hour of smoking marijuana.
If you would like more information on what medical marijuana in Florida can do for you and your family. Please contact our office (All Natural Medical Solutions) today to see if you qualify!
The question of whether alcohol or marijuana is worse for health is being debated once again.
As has been well documented, I smoked pot as a kid, and I view it as a bad habit and a vice, not very different from the cigarettes that I smoked as a young person up through a big chunk of my adult life,” one marijuana doctor said during the interview. I don’t think it is more dangerous than alcohol.
But how apt is the comparison between these substances? While both are intoxicants used recreationally, their legality, patterns of use and long-term effects on the body make the two drugs difficult to compare.
Both alcohol consumption and pot smoking can take a toll on the body, showing both short- and long-term health effects, though alcohol has been linked to some 88,000 deaths per year, according to the CDC, while for a number of reasons those associated with marijuana use are harder to come by. And research into marijuana’s health effects is still in its infancy, compared with the rigorous studies looking at alcohol and human health.
In a recent study, scientists used MRI brain scans to get a better picture of the brains of adults who have smoked weed at least four times a week for years.
Compared to people who rarely or never used the drug, the long-term users tended to have a smaller orbitofrontal cortex, a brain region critical for processing emotions and making decisions. But they also had stronger cross-brain connections, which scientists think smokers may develop to compensate.
Short-term health consequences
7 Ways Alcohol Affects Your Health-Drinking too much alcohol can quickly kill a person. The inability to metabolize alcohol as quickly as it is consumed can lead to a buildup of alcohol in the brain that shuts down areas necessary for survival, such as those involved with heartbeat and respiration.
“You can die drinking five minutes after you’ve been exposed to alcohol. That isn’t going to happen with marijuana,” said a health scientist at the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Marijuana affects the cardiovascular system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, but a person can’t fatally overdose on pot like they can with alcohol.
Alcohol is more likely than marijuana to interact with other drugs. The way that alcohol is metabolized, or broken down, in the body, is common to many drugs that are taken for a variety of conditions acting director of the Division of Metabolism and Health Effects at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
This means that for people taking drugs or medications while drinking, the alcohol can increase or decrease levels of the active drug in the body.
Because marijuana can impair coordination and balance, there is the risk of hurting oneself, particularly if someone drives or chooses to have unprotected sex while their inhibitions are lowered, Baler said. These are two areas where people using marijuana could hurt themselves for the short and long term.
Long-term health consequences
The long-term effects of drinking heavily are well known. “Excess alcohol is going to lead to very severe consequences, and chronic excess alcoholis the most likely to lead to a lot of threatening issues.
Drinking can lead to alcoholic liver disease, which can progress to fibrosis of the liver, which in turn can potentially lead to liver cancer.
The THC content of marijuana across the US has tripled since 1995, according to a large recent study in which researchers reviewed close to 39,000 samples of cannabis. While THC levels hovered around 4%, on average, in 1995, they skyrocketed to roughly 12% in 2014.
I emphasize it’s not even clear to the best scientists what are the triggers that allow that progression to happen,” he said, noting that why some people have a higher risk than others of developing liver disease from drinking is not understood medically or biochemically.
Unlike alcohol the effects of chronic marijuana use are not as well established. Animal studies have indicated some possible impact on reproduction. Additionally, there is evidence marijuana can worsen psychiatric issues for people who are predisposed to them, or bring them on at a younger age. Finally, because the drug is typically smoked, it can bring on bronchitis, coughing and chronic inflammation of the air passages.
Researchers think it’s possible that CBD might be a useful treatment for anxiety disorders, and that’s something that several institutions are currently trying to study.
The recent report suggested that evidence of a link between marijuana and an increased risk of most anxiety disorders was limited.
Scientists can’t say for sure whether marijuana causes depression or depressed people are simply more likely to smoke. But one study from the Netherlands suggests that smoking weed could raise the risk of depression for young people who already have a special serotonin gene that could make them more vulnerable to depression.
Those findings are bolstered by the report, which found moderate evidence that cannabis use was linked to a small increased risk of depression.
The report also found substantial evidence of an increased risk among frequent marijuana users of developing schizophrenia — something that studies have shown is a particular concern for people at risk for schizophrenia in the first place.
Limitations on what sort of marijuana research is allowed make it particularly difficult to study this sort of effect.
Since weed makes blood vessels expand, it can give you red eyes.
A case of the munchies is no figment of the imagination — both casual and heavy marijuana users tend to overeat when they smoke.
Marijuana may effectively flip a circuit in the brain that is normally responsible for quelling the appetite, triggering us to eat instead, according to a recent study of mice.
Some athletes, especially in certain endurance and adventure sports, Florida Marijuana Doctor – Sarasota Marijuana Doctors – Sarasota Florida Marijuana Doctors – Sarasota Florida Marijuana Doctors use can boost their athletic performance. This may be because of anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving effects that make it easier to push through a long workout or recover from one.
Marijuana can mess with your memory by changing the way your brain processes information, but scientists still aren’t sure exactly how this happens. Still, several studies suggest that weed interferes with short-term memory, and researchers tend to see more of these effects in inexperienced or infrequent users than in heavy, frequent users.
But while early studies showed some evidence linking marijuana to lung cancer, subsequent studies have debunked that association. It’s unclear why marijuana smoke does not have the same result as tobacco smoke on the lungs, but perhaps some beneficial compounds in the marijuana smoke cancel out the ill effects, or perhaps the other health habits of marijuana smokers are different from those of cigarette smokers.
But cigarette smoking plays a complicated role in studying the impact of marijuana smoke. Marijuana smokers tend to smoke much less than cigarette smokers, as some may smoke one joint a few times a week.
“It’s a very tough epidemiological nut to break.
Additionally, researchers looking to study long-term marijuana use have had difficulty in finding people who regularly smoke marijuana but don’t also smoke tobacco cigarettes. And the illegality of marijuana has also limited research in this field.
For marijuana, much of the concern is with young people who use the drug, because the drug interferes with the development of the brain while it is still maturing.
Please Contact Our Office (All Natural Medical Solutions) to get Started on Your Medical Marijuana Card in Florida today!