Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is difficult, and it becomes harder when your doctor prescribes you a cocktail of prescription medicines that may or may not work.
But there’s an alternative.
In this article, we’re going to explore how CBG, a cannabinoid derived from the hemp plant, can help with ADHD. We’ll also explore whether or not it’s a good replacement for prescriptions.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Research suggests CBG may improve ADHD due to its uplifting properties and beneficial effects on focus and concentration. CBG may work best for ADHD when combined with CBD, which adds to its mentally-clarifying properties.
- CBG is likely a viable replacement for some ADHD medications, but it hasn’t been through the same rigorous testing processes.
What is CBG?
CBG (cannabigerol) is one of more than 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids in the hemp plant.
It’s commonly referred to as “the mother of all cannabinoids” because every other cannabinoid is derived from its acidic form, CBGa.
For much of its career as a cannabinoid, CBG has been overshadowed by CBD. However, a survey of CBG users from late 2022 showed that many people found it effective for anxiety, sleep, inflammation, and more.
And as CBG has become more popular among hemp enthusiasts and everyday people, it’s also become a subject of scientific interest.
Can CBG Help with ADHD? What Does Science Say?
Based on the research so far, it seems that CBG can indeed help with ADHD.
One survey from 2021 looked at people using CBG and CBD products to manage various problems, including ADHD.
And the results were amazing: 70.8% of respondents with ADHD reported an improvement in their condition from using CBG and CBD products, while over half of all respondents reported improvements in anxiety.
And over 70% of the respondents reported improvements in their energy, attention levels, and thinking.
Other studies have also suggested similar conclusions, and considering CBG is effective for stress, anxiety, and other mental health struggles, it’s very likely that CBG can help with ADHD.
However, more research is needed before we know if CBG is reliable for treating ADHD.
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Should You Use CBD and CBG Together for ADHD?
Yes — the study above, which had favorable results, was based on people using CBD and CBG together. While CBG alone is effective, using it with CBD can render more comprehensive benefits.
In fact, generally, using CBD and CBG together renders more benefits than using either cannabinoid by itself — this is true for sleep, stress, anxiety, and other conditions, in addition to ADHD.
This is due to the entourage effect — the idea that consuming hemp in natural forms (such as when you use cannabinoids together) is more effective than if you take isolated cannabinoids.
Is CBG A Viable Replacement for ADHD Medications? How It Compares
Although CBG is clearly beneficial for those dealing with ADHD, it isn’t a recognized replacement for ADHD medications such as Adderall and Ritalin.
This is because CBG and other cannabinoids haven’t undergone the type of clinical testing that are typically required for medications.
However, science suggests it may have potential. A journal article from 2021 put it well:
“CBG may play an important role for improving the drug cocktails of patients who struggle with disorders of executive function, such as schizophrenia and ADHD.”
So CBG does, in fact, have the potential to replace ADHD medications — just ensure that you seek the guidance of a doctor. Since CBG hasn’t been tested, we can’t reliably say that it will work in the same way that ADHD prescriptions will.
How to Use CBG for ADHD: Dosage & Timing
If CBG seems like the right option for you, here’s what you need to know to get started.
Dosage
For ADHD and similar situations, we recommend our customers start with a low dose of CBG. You can find your precise dose with this formula:
(0.1) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your CBG dosage, in mg.
By this formula, if you weigh 150 lbs, you’d need 15mg of CBG each day for ADHD.
Once you’ve taken a low dose for a few days, you might find that you need more. In this case, you can move up to a medium dose. Here’s the formula:
(0.3) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your CBG dosage, in mg.
(For more on CBG dosage, here’s our guide and complete dosage chart by weight.)
Timing
When you take your dose depends on what kind of CBG product you’re using.
If you’re using CBG oil, or are smoking a CBG-heavy flower strain, you’ll feel the effects in just 10-15 minutes.
On the other hand, if you opt for a CBG edible, capsule, or other digested product, you’ll feel the effects in 45 minutes to an hour.
With this in mind, time your CBG doses so the effects kick in just before you have to go to work, to a class, to a meeting, or anywhere else you need to focus.
How To Shop for CBG Products
Because the hemp industry isn’t well regulated, it takes careful shopping in order to find high-quality CBG products. Here are our best tips:
- Check lab reports beforehand — check the 3rd-party lab report for the product you plan to buy. Ensure it contains the amount of CBG that it should, and check that there are no contaminants in the product. If you can’t find a 3rd-party lab report for a product, you shouldn’t buy it.
- Read reviews — read reviews about the product, particularly from people dealing with ADHD and similar conditions. Ensure that it’s working for others.
- Opt for full-spectrum CBG — Full-spectrum CBG contains cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and a bit of THC, as well as terpenes. Broad-spectrum CBG is the same as full-spectrum but with no THC. CBG isolate products only contain CBG. Due to the benefits of the entourage effect, we recommend buying full-spectrum CBG products for ADHD.
Conclusion: CBG Can Help with ADHD
CBG is a promising alternative to the loads of prescriptions that are often given for ADHD.
CBG comes from nature; prescription drugs don’t.
It will just be a matter of having more research done on CBG before it becomes more accepted by the medical community.
In the meantime, CBG is worth a try — just talk to your doctor beforehand to ensure it’s the right fit for your situation!
Looking for more options? Click here to learn more about using delta 8 for ADHD.
CBG for ADHD: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions we get from customers about using CBG for ADHD.
Does CBG help with focus?
Some customers report that CBG helps them with energy and focus. However, this is anecdotal evidence, and CBG hasn’t been researched specifically for its effects on focus — it’s beneficial for many people, but there are no hard guarantees
Is CBG a stimulant?
No. Unlike THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid with some stimulating effects, CBG is not a stimulant, and is generally considered to have calming and relaxing effects on the mind and body.
What strain of flower is best for ADHD?
If you decide to use hemp flower for ADHD, we recommend sativa strains over indica strains. Sativa tends to be more energizing and uplifting, so it’s more in line with helping you focus.
If you’re looking for specifics, strains like Sour Diesel, Green Crack, or Durban Poison are good places to start.
