Subtypes of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Cannabis Use

Abstract

The current study examined the association between subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cannabis use within a sample of 2811 current users. Data were collected in 2012 from a national U.S. survey of cannabis users. A series of logistic regression equations and chi-squares were assessed for proportional differences between users. When asked about the ADHD symptoms they have experienced when not using cannabis, a higher proportion of daily users met symptom criteria for an ADHD diagnoses of the subtypes that include hyperactive-impulsive symptoms than the inattentive subtype. For nondaily users, the proportions of users meeting symptom criteria did not differ by subtype. These results have implications for identifying which individuals with ADHD might be more likely to self-medicate using cannabis. Furthermore, these findings indirectly support research linking relevant cannabinoid receptors to regulatory control.

Environmental and Genetic Influences in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its Comorbidities

“…Self-medication has been proposed as a theory to explain the association between ADHD symptoms and possible preference for various substances of abuse (69,82,84,85,186,187). The present results did not support a preference for any type of substance studied.…”

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms are Common in Patients in Opioid Maintenance Treatment

“…The greater use of benzodiazepines and cannabis we find in our data could be attributed to the higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity, and to the more specific influence these substances might have on ADHD symptoms [15]. For example, the use of cannabis could be interpreted as a form of self-medication to manage sleeping problems [40] or as sedative after using stimulants [41]. It could be that neurobiological differences, impaired executive functioning, and more impulsivity contribute to increased SUD complexity in this patient group [5].…”

Activation of cannabinoid system in anterior cingulate cortex and orbitofrontal cortex modulates cost-benefit decision making

“…Previous work has shown that the effects of cannabinoids on impulsive decision making have been complex and controversial. Some studies demonstrated increased impulsive choice (Hernandez et al 2014;Loflin et al 2014) while others showed unaffected or decreased impulsive choice following cannabinoid administration (McDonald et al 2003;Pattij et al 2007;Wiskerke et al 2011). It has also been suggested that genetic factors influence the effects of cannabinoids on impulsive decision making (Boomhower et al 2013) and polymorphisms in CB1R gene is involved in differential trait impulsivity (Ehlers et al 2007).…”