Health - Low dose for motivation and adhd?

[riaahacker]

SWIM the other day used a very small amount of mj not expecting to feel much but what he did feel was quite pleasantly stimulating even motivating. Swim's been diagnosed with adhd and is supposed to be taking amphetamine but doesn't like the way it feels. The low amount of mj increased my focus and upped my motivation to do things. He has read that THC has an effect on dopamine transmission which could have an effect on adhd. Has anyone else felt this effect? How often would it be safe to consume a small amount of THC to feel this effect?

[Kelveren]

Well, SWIM doesn't know much about ADHD, but SWIM's female friend is dealing with PTSD from an abusive relationship. (Speaking of which, anySWIYs here know a good way to anonymously end someone?) ANYWHO... She uses a very small amount, and tries not to more than once a day, though she has to worry a lot about addiction, and it's really helped her to be around males without freaking out so SWIM says. She seems to mostly be worried about a cumulative effect, but if she lets the main effects wear off before using again, and doesn't use to get high she seems to do fine.

She has told SWIM about problems she's had when she did get high, always intentionally, instead of just using the small amount. Nothing really bad, but if she got panicky it could go bad really fast.

SWIM thinks that if SWIY wants to use medically for ADHD SWIY should keep track of how much SWIY is using and make sure to take at least a day or two a week to be off it so that SWIY doesn't get pulled into a slump instead of being motivated. Also, keep a journal or something so SWIY can check if something's going wrong. Also, SWIY should have at least one friend who wants SWIY to not become a stoner, and wants SWIY to succeed. SWIY should work with this friend so they can help SWIY see if there are any warning signs for excessive use.

This is SWIM's two cents after delving into caretaking for someone trying to get a medi-card.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good info, answers the question

[machine_elf]

Originally Posted by riaahacker

SWIM the other day used a very small amount of mj not expecting to feel much but what he did feel was quite pleasantly stimulating even motivating. Swim's been diagnosed with adhd and is supposed to be taking amphetamine but doesn't like the way it feels. The low amount of mj increased my focus and upped my motivation to do things. He has read that THC has an effect on dopamine transmission which could have an effect on adhd. Has anyone else felt this effect? How often would it be safe to consume a small amount of THC to feel this effect?

Not too sure about the effectiveness of cannabis in this situation but empirical experience of swim's suggest that cannabis over time seems to have the opposite effect and that it's theraputic worth lies mainly in pain e.t.c. Swim thinks you should bear with the amphetamine as it is monitored by your doctor for its effectiveness, and has been approved as a safe and effective treatment by regulatory medical bodies, whereas cannabis could not only be counterproductive, but carries negative legal implications also.

All the best

[Wierd Logic]

Don't know about ADHD and cannabis (although he knows people who have ADHD and use cannabis regularly, and they seem to cope with it just like any others) but I wouldn't expect cannabis to continue motivating you if used regularly, I'm afraid the stereotype is there for a reason. Effects like that won't last in the long term, unless you're very lucky...

[its just a ride]

pot never used to make swim motivated(swim has add) it does a little more now adays but swim thinks its mostly just getting himself "pepped up" but i duno everyone is different swi would say if pot motivates you smoke that shit lol

[ksurfboy222]

SWIM has ADHD and has been taking everything from ritalin, adderall, vivance, concerta, you name it SWIM has taken it with a prescription. SWIM recently descovered that weed helps him concentrate on one thing at a time very well, instead of previously being scater-brained. but if SWIY decides to do this, i suggest using a bong taking one or two hits and then doing homework for an hour or so till it wears off, then ripping the bong a couple times, and repeat. in doing this you make sure SWIY doesnt get too high to fuction well and it helps give u little breaks.

happy smokin'

[TheMunk]

Originally Posted by ksurfboy222

i suggest using a bong taking one or two hits and then doing homework for an hour or so till it wears off, then ripping the bong a couple times, and repeat.

It is well documented that you learn lot less when you are using THC. People who wants to remember what they have just learned should really stay off THC.

And second, I doubt that there will be any positive side effects in the long term using THC as a medicament. I think THC is something one should use instead of alcohol to get a cool trip with your friends watching some sitcoms )

I have heard about serveral people that was selfmedicated on thc for serveral years. The main reason here as ADHD like symptoms. They all started with just a few puffs, but as any other drugs, you will need to get a stronger dosage. You also risk to get some "dirty" drugs when buying it on the streets. Looking at Amsterdam you will see that they like to use THC as a social drug, not as medicine.

If you have been using THC, you will try to find any excuse to your self why this is good for you. Try to be clean a couple of weeks and you will allready see that maybe I am better of without it.

Especialy I can refer to a friend of a friend who had been selfmedicated on THC for 7 years. He had to be stone all day to be able to "work" as a person. I think his job is a software developer. This puts a lots of limitations on you. Imaging only being able to do activities that makes it possible to get a new joint every two hours. If you don`t want all your friends and family to look at you as a pot head, this is a really hard schenario I guess. For this guy, Ritalin was the solution. It changed his day completly, and also his economy.

Please ask me about anything regarding THC. I can provide allot of different users experiences on this area, especially long-term usage.

[coelho]

Well... swim did read that cannabis is actually used medically to treat adhd patients... if swiy lives in a place which allows Medical Marijuana, swiy could even try to get a "MMJ card", and so be able to medicate swiyourself legally.

[Ally420]

It may also be worth checking out the book Jeffery's Journey.

[Uncle Getafix]

Pot seems to work as a psychological cover for many conditions, its less harmful than alcohol 4 sure.

Just a note that Prof Lester Grinspoon advocates using cannabutter for under 18 year olds formerly scripted Risperidal as its a safer alternative.(Antipsychotic)

If it works, it works. But SWIM would stick to the medicinal once in a while understoned dose or you may find yourself pleasantly couchlocked in a green embrace.

And its nice to do stuff. Maybe swap your ritalin for pot with some friendly character? SWIM just got scripted a fuckload of modafinil so when SWIM finds someone at Uni keen on a smart drug they can have the lot in a clean swap.

Just an idea, best of luck.

Uncle Getafix added 120 Minutes and 45 Seconds later...

Sorry just came straight from another forum and forgot the SWIMs and SWIYs!!

[Cryptic Concoction]

Here is an article detailing a study conducted to explore the effects of cannabis during treatment of cocaine dependent patients with ADHD. It was found that intermittent use was correlated with greater patient retention than consistent use or abstinence. I will not speculate on the possible implications of this study concerning the effects of cannabis on ADHD, but I thought some may find it relevant to this discussion.

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Intrtesting article, thanks for posting adds alot to this debate:)