Posted on ADHD

Cannabis for attention issues? How the body’s cannabinoids may influence the symptoms and treatment of ADHD

Medical cannabis relieves symptoms in children with autism

Cannabis, including marijuana and products containing cannabinoids and THC—the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana—has been hailed as a remedy for conditions ranging from anxiety and sleep issues to epilepsy and cancer pain.

Nursing researcher Dr. Jennie Ryan from Thomas Jefferson University is studying the effects of cannabis on symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Current medical guidelines for treating ADHD include medications like Adderall and cognitive behavioural therapy. As with most treatments, these options can offer benefits while also presenting certain downsides. Dr. Ryan notes, “Parents are interested in cannabidiol, which does not contain THC. However, we currently lack sufficient scientific evidence to support its use.”

In a recent review paper, Dr. Ryan and her colleagues examined the scientific literature to gather evidence regarding the interactions between cannabis and ADHD. The researchers specifically focused on how cannabis use impacts ADHD symptoms. Additionally, since the human body produces its cannabinoids through the endocannabinoid system, they explored how this endogenous system might influence ADHD. They analyzed both clinical and preclinical findings, which collectively suggest that cannabis affects the endocannabinoid system in various ways, ultimately influencing attention, hyperactivity, and anxiety.

“Dr. Ryan acknowledges that there is a relationship between cannabis use and ADHD. However, she notes that this relationship is complicated by the wide variety of cannabis products available, the numerous types of endocannabinoids, their biological pathways, and the different ways ADHD can present in individuals. Separating and understanding all these factors is extremely challenging. Additionally, researchers studying cannabis face legal restrictions surrounding marijuana that hinder their efforts.”

Co-author Brooke Worster, MD, specializes in pain management and palliative care, says she suspected the published evidence would be sparse. When that was what they found, “I wasn’t super surprised,” she says. “Still, it is shocking how many holes there are. We have a lot of work ahead.”

Posted on Autism

DSM-5 vs Unofficial Checklist for Autism in Females | Checking the Checklist

“The Samantha Craft Unofficial Checklist for Autism or Asperger’s in Females (I’ve seen this re-named a lot online!) or Autistic Checklist is one of the first checklists I reviewed with you on my channel. Something that has been of interest to me lately is how much these unofficial lists can hold up to the criteria recognized by diagnostic manuals. So, I thought it might be interesting to start here with this checklist and compare it to criteria in the DSM-5. If you all are interested, I may also compare it to the ICD-11.”

Posted on Exercise, Multiple Sclerosis

Reduce MS Symptoms: Exercises to Improve Walking

Exercises aimed at improving walking are one of the most frequently requested topics on social media. While I can demonstrate various exercises that can help, many people prefer to hear from someone who has experienced multiple sclerosis (MS) directly. Join me today as we chat with a guest who will share how MS-specific exercises have renewed her walking ability, built her confidence, and brought about significant improvements in just three months!

Posted on ADHD

Meltdowns in young children could be linked to ADHD, study finds

Preschool children who struggle to control their emotions and behaviour have more symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – known as ADHD - at age seven, a study suggests.
Preschool children who struggle to control their emotions and behaviour have more symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – known as ADHD – at age seven, a study suggests.

Preschool children who find it difficult to control their emotions and behaviour exhibit more symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – known as ADHD – by age seven, according to a study.

Children aged between three and seven who are slower at acquiring skills to manage their intense emotions were also found to be at risk of displaying more conduct issues.

Experts say children were also more likely to show internalising behaviours at age seven, such as sadness and worries.

The study, led by the University of Edinburgh, is among the first to examine the links between early patterns of emotion regulation and school-age mental health.

The findings could help tailor targeted support for children who may benefit from enhanced preventative care before mental health issues emerge, researchers say.

Researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh, Northumbria and Oxford analysed a large dataset to test whether the progression of emotional development among children aged three to seven is related to the risk of common mental health issues.

They examined data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, which follows the lives of around 19,000 young people born in 2000-02.

The researchers analysed questionnaires and interviews which surveyed parents on their children’s conduct, social behaviours, and emotional regulation skills.

They used statistical techniques to measure the link between emotional problems, conduct problems and ADHD symptoms at age seven.

Findings showed that a tendency to have extreme emotional responses and slower development in the ability to regulate those emotions was significantly associated with ADHD symptoms, internalising symptoms, and conduct problems in both male and female children at age seven.

This was the case even when other factors such as data on any pre-existing neurodevelopmental and mental health issues were taken into account.

Dr Aja Murray, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, who led the study, said: “Emotion regulation skills are acquired from early in life and are thought to strengthen gradually over childhood. Children, however, acquire these skills at different rates and slower acquisition may serve as a marker for neurodevelopmental and mental health issues. Our findings suggest that monitoring trajectories of emotion regulation over development could help identity which children are at risk of mental health issues.”