Real patient voices: Treating ADHD with medical cannabis

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or as it's more commonly known: ADHD, plagues around 2.6 million individuals in the UK with restlessness and issues with concentration, impulsivity, anxiety, and poor sleep. Yet despite its prevalence, many struggle to find an option that works well for them. 

But, did you know that medical cannabis can be prescribed to help alleviate some of these symptoms? Don’t worry, most don’t. But, when they do, people are often are intrigued to learn more. 

Today we’ll hear from three individuals who reached out to Releaf when they found out cannabis-based treatments for ADHD are actually accessible in the UK, in the hope of finding a solution that suits them.

Georgia, Ollie, and Isabelle all found traditional ADHD treatments didn’t quite fit their needs, or caused unpleasant side effects, as opposed to symptomatic relief. But after starting their new healthcare journeys with medical cannabis, each felt inspired to share their stories - in the hope of helping others find the confidence to explore an alternative option. 

Georgia: Managing ADHD with medical cannabis

Georgia’s story is something many can identify with. Misdiagnosed with depression and anxiety during her teenage years, Georgia spent years taking medications she knew weren’t quite meeting the mark, or, treating what she was actually experiencing: ADHD. 

After years of back and forth at her local doctors, Georgia was finally seen by a specialist who diagnosed her with ADHD, and everything started to make sense. But, unfortunately, the new treatments still didn’t manage her symptoms.

Restless nights, an inability to properly focus, and intense anxiety still affected her on a daily basis. That’s when she reached out to Releaf, and thankfully things have changed, for the better.

When we spoke to Georgia, she explained: 

“With my ADHD, I have either so much energy that people around me are like, "Oh my God, does she ever stop!" - or I'm so drained that I can't do anything, and I get really fatigued.

The [Releaf] doctor explained the various options available to me, and we settled on two different medical cannabis cultivars and a medical cannabis oil, which arrived at my door a few days later….

Honestly, it felt a bit surreal! I’d never had anything like that arrive in the post, so it felt almost…naughty, like, "Is this actually allowed?!". But that feeling passed as soon as I saw how professionally packaged it was with my prescription label clearly printed and everything….

I've always had trouble with sleep, even before I had my diagnosis of ADHD. Medical cannabis has enabled me to get myself into a routine, instead of procrastinating about bed every night. Now I'm actually going to bed at around 9 pm most nights because I'm actually tired, rather than just forcing myself to go to bed because I know I should.

It feels like my body is actually telling me, "You're tired. It's time for bed" . So, in terms of my routine, that's helped massively, which has meant that I'm sleeping better, I'm getting up earlier in the morning, and I've been coming to work on time, or even early. I'm then more productive in the day because I'm having more quality sleep.

With my ADHD, it's really difficult to explain, but if I'm working on my laptop, it feels like everything around me is shouting at me - like every little thing is a massive distraction. My daytime flower option makes me feel like I'm in the zone, and it almost makes there's just like a black sheet around me, and there's nothing else going on - which, for someone with ADHD, is so weird because that is just not my life. That is not my norm. It is almost like tunnel vision to my laptop, and that's all I can think of. I've been able to get things done. 

Before starting treatment with Releaf, sometimes I would have to spend days and days working on a project in little sections, but this just enabled me to get things done. Over the past six months, it's improved my routine, my work-life balance, and my productivity.”

Read Georgia’s full account, explaining her journey with ADHD and medical cannabis

Ollie: Why I turned to medical cannabis for ADHD

Ollie also felt inclined to share his story. Diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 37, Ollie welcomed the news, and was relieved to have an explanation for some of his previous life experiences. 

Juggling life as a father of three, a devoted partner, and working full-time in a high pressure role in the automotive industry, Ollie was hoping the amphetamines he was prescribed would be just the ticket he needed. But instead, they led to insurmountable anxiety and a relied on a regimented routine, but as Ollie rightfully says ‘every day is different’, and therefore he felt this ‘treatment didn’t seem to align with reality’. 

Knowing he needed a solution, he cracked open his laptop and began to research the options available to him, and that’s when he came across Releaf’s patient stories page. A lightbulb went off, and his curiosity was sparked - and ever since then, Ollie hasn’t looked back. 

During his interview, Ollie told us: 

“In my mind, though, it was always like squirrels running around, or like having 50 or 60 browser windows open at the same time, and knowing exactly what was going on in every one of them. In one window, I’d think about what I was going to do that day, and in another, I’d be going over a list of all my favourite rock bands from 1972. I'd know, in detail, everything about every artist on the list and their back catalogues. Everything was a picture in my mind—that's just how my brain worked, and all this information was tucked away in lots of different areas. 

When I started researching medical cannabis, it all seemed much more mature and legitimate than in the past. It also felt like it had gained a lot more social acceptance. When I read people’s testimonials on the Releaf website, I could see that there were myriad people out there who said that using medical cannabis had been a positive, life-changing decision. All that made me feel like I was in a more comfortable position to give it a try…   

The thing that really separates my treatment at Releaf versus my GPs prescription is that it’s safe for me to adjust the dosage, depending on the situation.

When I'm focusing on writing or something I need to concentrate on, I have daytime medication, which allows me to focus and brings out my creative side. At night, I have different medication that helps me relax. For me, it’s not all about sleep. I think that is a common misconception. It’s about narrowing my focus, so that my brain knows that it’s evening now, and it’s time for things to calm down. 

Medical cannabis is not a silver bullet that cures my condition. It's not a panacea. My problems still exist. Situations I have to deal with can still be very high stress and high pressure. I still have to deliver huge results at home and at work. My treatment with medical cannabis allows me to just be in the moment; to be present, which benefits my day-to-day life. 

After work, when the laptop closes, it’s like a switch being flipped: I'm a father and partner, and I can be there and present with my children and not constantly worry. Medical cannabis is a great tool to have at my disposal. “

Read Ollie’s full account of using medical cannabis to help manage ADHD here.

Isabelle: My journey with medical cannabis and ADHD

Much like Georgia, and many other women with ADHD, Isabelle felt misunderstood, and for lack of a better term ‘fobbed off’, by traditional healthcare providers when she sought help for her symptoms.

It took almost a decade of persistence before she was finally listened to and was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 20. Instead of just being called a ‘sensitive soul’, she felt validated when she received her diagnosis, but conventional treatment routes still didn’t offer the relief she needed. 

After a chance conversation with a friend, Isabelle found out medical cannabis may be an option available to her, and she didn’t hesitate to reach out to Releaf. Since then, Isabelle’s managed to make strides - taking one small step at a time. 

When we sat down with Isabelle, she shared with us: 

“I have been a Releaf patient now for just under a year. It really helps me focus and get the motivation I need to get things done. The idea of doing housework can be a little overwhelming for me at times - things like hoovering, laundry, dusting - but after a little medical cannabis, those feelings kind of melt away.

Instead of this internal battle over what I need to do and where to start, I’m able to have a clearer idea of what needs doing and how to get it done. All of a sudden, I’m thinking, “Maybe I’ll do that now,” instead of the opposite. Next thing I know, the whole house is clean, and I haven’t hated the process.

I guess the best way for me to put it is that after I medicate with my prescribed cannabis, life’s challenges feel smaller and much less overwhelming. The big tasks aren’t as daunting, and I feel more relaxed overall. It’s really changed my life in that way.

I usually vape before bed to help me switch off. On weekends, I might use it during the day to get jobs done - it makes things feel less overwhelming. It’s really about making everything feel more manageable and relaxing, especially with how hectic life is these days….

It’s helped me find clarity. I can look back and reflect without overthinking. Before, I’d get overwhelmed trying to reach a big goal, like advancing my career. I wouldn’t think about the steps to get there - I’d just obsess over the end result.

Now, I can break things down. I can focus on small steps, even if they’re tiny ones, and know I’m still progressing. It’s not how my mind used to work, but cannabis has helped me plan and approach things more rationally….

Medical cannabis might not work for everyone, but if someone thinks it might help them, it’s worth giving it a shot. It’s working great for me and my ADHD, so it might make a big difference for others too.”

To find out more about how Isabelle navigates ADHD with medical cannabis, read her full patient story. 

Find out if medical cannabis may be right for you

If you’ve also been diagnosed with ADHD and are having trouble finding a treatment that works well for you and your lifestyle, medical cannabis may be an option available to you.

All it takes is a quick 20-second eligibility check, and you’ll be able to get an indication of whether these treatments might be appropriate for you. If so, you’ll be invited to book in for a consultation with one of Releaf’s specialist doctors to discuss this further, and fingers crossed, get started on your own, personalised medical cannabis treatment plan.