Using high-CBD products may help reduce some of the symptoms of ADD and ADHD

Using high-CBD products may help reduce some of the symptoms of ADD and ADHD. Both of these conditions can be diagnosed in children and adults. For adults, concentrating on work and completing a task from start to finish may be difficult. In children, it may be difficult to sit still, concentrate in school and complete thoughts. These high-CBD cannabis strains that reduce symptoms of ADD and ADHD are available in most medical cannabis markets in several different forms.

What is ADD?

ADD is attention deficit disorder. It is categorized as a mental illness that often carries over into adulthood. Between 30 and 50-percent of children diagnosed with ADD often continue having symptoms into adulthood. It is different than ADHD, we’ll get into that shortly, but is often misdiagnosed as ADHD.

Symptoms of ADD include impulsive behaviors, random thoughts, difficulty with focus, detail recall and excess energy. These symptoms may make a child appear different to others, which can lead to some social interaction disturbances, depression, low self-esteem and difficulty maintaining relationships.

ADD is more common in males than females. Symptoms typically surface between the ages of 3 and 6 but most children aren’t diagnosed until around age 7. For children with ADD, school can be difficult because it may be hard for them to listen, follow directions and refrain from talking. Distractions are common, meaning that completing a simple in-class task, or any other task, may take several reminders to focus or stay on task.

Pharmaceuticals are often the answer for taming the symptoms of ADD. The body can build up a tolerance to medications, and not everyone response positively to them. For some, a more natural approach is preferred, which is where high-CBD cannabis strains and full spectrum hemp CBD products come into play.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. While it is more common in children, it can carry over through adulthood just like ADD. Roughly 5-percent of children are affected by ADHD, by adulthood, this typically decreases by half.

Also, similar to ADD, ADHD is more common in males. It is diagnosed with the presence of the inability to sit for a period of time, short attention spans and above normal activity levels. It is hard for those with ADHD to concentrate in school or at work, unable to complete tasks and impulsive behaviors.

There are three types of ADHD – inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and a combination of the two. For those with inattentive ADHD, there is a lack of ability to pay attention to detail where mistakes are made at work or in school. There is also an inability to maintain focus, inability to listen, missed steps in instruction, maintaining organization, refraining from cognitively difficult tasks and frequent loss or misplacement of items.

In terms of hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, a near constant use of the hands is noticed. This can also present as frequent movement of the hands and feet and frequent position shifts while sitting. When others are in a conversation, those with this type of ADHD are known to interrupt. Not allowing others to finish a sentence or question is also common.

The exact cause of ADHD is not yet known, but premature birth, alcohol use during pregnancy, stressful pregnancies, brain injuries and mothers that smoke during pregnancy are related factors.

Full Spectrum CBD Options

For adolescents and adults that do not wish to feel the psychoactive effects of cannabis, a full spectrum hemp CBD product may be a better option. While these do contain a miniscule amount of THC, the high CBD concentration knocks out any potential psychoactivity. For children, tinctures, capsules and oils are the best options. Adults may prefer a high-CBD cannabis strain, vape and edibles.

It is important to ensure that the full spectrum hemp CBD product you select has been tested for purity and to ensure that the ingredients are as listed on the packaging.

Harle-Tsu

Harle-Tsu is a CBD hybrid cannabis strain that contains 20-times more CBD than THC. It is ideal for those with hyperactivity, lack of focus, pain and inflammation. To create this strain, Sour Tsunami and Harlequin are combined.

This hybrid helps return focus, promotes healthy conversations, uplifts the spirits, aids depression by promoting happiness and helps relax the mind and body.

It has a very earthy, herbal and woody flavor. For some, vaporizing may be a better option as the flavor can be an acquired taste.

Harlequin

Harlequin is another hybrid, but it is a sativa-dominant option. It displays a 75/25 sativa dominance with a CBD:THC ratio of 5:2. This means that some psychoactivity may occur, but it will be quite light. This is an ideal option for those with anxiety – which can also be a symptom of ADD/ADHD. It’s also a great pain reliever for those that also experience chronic pain.

While this strain does aim to relax the mind and body, it’s not heavily sedative so productivity isn’t loss.

Harlequin has a pleasant mango and musk flavor. These two elements blend well together as mangoes do have a slight piney taste to them.

Relaxation, focus and happiness are the primary positives of this high-CBD, low-THC strain.

ACDC

ACDC has one of the highest concentrations of CBD in a cannabis strain available. It has tested in the mid-20s. The typical CBD to THC ratio is 20:1. Psychoactivity isn’t felt at all with this strain.

While ACDC is great for helping return focus and relax the body, it’s also a good option for those with pain, chemotherapy side effects, epilepsy, MS and anxiety. This strain helps improve mood, promotes mild energy production and helps promote concentration.

This strain is rather herbal in flavor with hints of earthy, piney and woody. This is a good strain to vaporize.

CBD Mango Haze

CBD Mango Haze isn’t a very popular strain. It is rather hard to find but is a good sativa to seek out or request in your local market when you need to focus, concentrate and get things done. This strain is more for adults than adolescents as the CBD and THC concentrations are nearly equal.

This strain has a pleasant fruity flavor with hints of mango and pineapple. A little spice comes through with a bit of black pepper flavor.

The primary effect is focus as it uplifts the mind and body while inducing happiness, promoting energy and providing a bit of relaxation.

Closing Thoughts

When taking an all-natural approach to treating ADD and ADHD, it is important to start with small doses. While CBD products aren’t typically psychoactive, some high-CBD cannabis strains do produce a light high. The body also builds up a tolerance to CBD, as with any type of medication natural or pharmaceutical. While there is no known unsafe dose of CBD, having a higher tolerance may make the necessary daily amount needed for relief out of the budget.