Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is difficult, and it can be even more difficult if the cocktail of prescription medications prescribed to address it don’t work.
But cannabigerol (CBG), a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant, might be an alternative.
Research suggests CBG has therapeutic potential for people with ADHD. In this article, we’ll look at what the science says, whether you should take CBG and CBD for ADHD, and whether CBG is a viable alternative to ADHD prescriptions.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Research suggests CBG may improve ADHD due to its mentally uplifting properties and beneficial effects on focus and concentration. CBG may work best for ADHD when combined with CBD, which adds to its clarifying properties.
- CBG may be a viable replacement for some ADHD medications, but more research is needed before we know if it’s a treatment. For now, CBG should be used to supplement more traditional methods of treatment.
What is CBG?
Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of 100+ cannabinoids that naturally occur in the hemp plant.
The acidic form of CBG, CBGa, is the cannabinoid in hemp from which all others are derived, which has earned CBG the title “the mother of all cannabinoids.”
CBG still isn’t as popular or widely used as CBD or THC, both of which are more abundant in hemp.
But this may be changing as researchers discover the therapeutic potential of CBG for anxiety, stress, pain, inflammation, nausea, and more.
In addition to these benefits, though, recent studies have been investigating the benefits of CBG for attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). So far, the results have been promising.
Can CBG Help with ADHD? What Does Science Say?
Based on the research so far, it seems CBG has therapeutic potential for ADHD.
A 2021 survey looked at people using CBG and CBD products to manage various problems, including ADHD.
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.
Additionally, over 70% of the respondents reported improvements in their energy, attention levels, and thinking [1].
This study demonstrates that CBG may have some direct benefits for people with ADHD.
And research has also found that CBG has therapeutic potential for anxiety, which is related to ADHD.
Based on the research literature, it seems CBG has the potential to benefit people with ADHD. However, it’s not yet a reliable and proven treatment for this condition.
This means that, for now, CBG should be used as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, traditional methods of treatment.
Should You Use CBD and CBG Together for ADHD?
Yes, it’s likely beneficial to take CBD and CBG together for ADHD.
The study referenced above, which had favorable results, was based on people using these two cannabinoids in combination.
While CBG alone is effective, using it with CBD can render more comprehensive benefits. CBD is relaxing, while CBG is uplifting, and both cannabinoids have generally supportive effects.
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 uses, as well as 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 CBG may have potential in this area. 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 . . . ADHD” [2].
So CBG does, in fact, have the potential to replace ADHD medications. But more research is needed before it can be regarded as a proven treatment.
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 how to use it to get the best results:
Dosage
We recommend you start with a low-strength dose of CBG for ADHD.
You can calculate 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, you’ll feel the effects in just 10-15 minutes.
On the other hand, CBG gummies, capsules, and other digested products take 45 minutes to 1 hour to begin working.
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
The hemp industry isn’t heavily regulated, and as a result, you need to shop carefully in order to make sure you’re buying high-quality CBG products.
Here are our best tips:
- Check lab reports: Check the 3rd-party lab report for the product you plan to buy. Ensure the product 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, to make sure it’s effective.
- Choose full-spectrum CBG products: Full-spectrum CBG is a type of CBG extract that also 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 therapeutic uses.
Conclusion: CBG Can Help with ADHD
CBG may have therapeutic potential for ADHD, and early research suggests it may be a viable alternative to ADHD prescriptions. CBG comes from nature; prescription drugs don’t.
But it’s important to remember that the research is ongoing, and CBG isn’t a proven treatment for any condition, including ADHD. It should be used to supplement, rather than replace, prescriptions and other traditional treatments.
So we recommend you try CBG – just be sure to talk to your doctor beforehand about whether it’s a good fit for you and, if so, how you should be using it.
Looking for other 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.
Can CBG help ADHD?
Yes, research suggests CBG may have therapeutic potential for people with ADHD. However, more research is needed before CBG can be considered a treatment for this condition.
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.
Does CBG increase dopamine?
Yes, research suggests CBG may increase dopamine levels.
Is CBG a stimulant?
While CBG won’t get you high, it does have some stimulant-like properties in that it promotes energy and focus.
Does CBG make you hyper?
CBG has energizing properties, and it may make you hyper in larger doses. However, in standard doses, it tends to create a coffee-like lift: energizing, but not to the point that it makes you especially hyper or jittery.
What are the best cannabinoids for ADHD?
Research has indicated that cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN) all have potential therapeutic benefits for ADHD, however, it’s not known which is the most effective or how their efficacy compares.
Sources
[1] Kaufmann, Robert. (2021). Nano-processed CBG/CBD effect on pain, adult attention deficit hyperactive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 14. 235-240. 10.15406/ijcam.2021.14.00567.
[2] Nachnani, Rahul et al. “The Pharmacological Case for Cannabigerol.” The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics vol. 376,2 (2021): 204-212. doi:10.1124/jpet.120.000340
