Marijuana and ADHD

[Unearth]

I know, it's LONG. If you don't feel like reading it, that's cool. But if you've ever had a problem with ADD or ADHD then this could help you out a lot. PM me or reply to my thread if you have any questions.

Throughout my early school years I knew I was intelligent. I had straight A's up until high school (yeah, not that hard..but w/e). In high school, I lost all drive to do well in school. My disorder finally reared it's ugly head when I was actually required to do my homework at home, weird concept I know. When I got home, I couldn't do it. Too many distractions, not enough motivation, so I gave up.

I would still do well on tests; I could sit in a classroom without taking notes and absorb enough information to ace it. I never really asked myself why I continuously only did enough to slide by. I ended up with a 3.4 GPA even after never doing my homework. The biggest sign that told me something was wrong was the ACT. I scored a 33 on the ACT the second time I took it (first without a calculator, meh.). At that point, I could go to any school I wanted. But I still had to wonder, why didn't I give high school my best? Why couldn't I have just done my homework and got a 4.0. I could have been valedictorian.

So here I am at college. A shitty state university. I procrastinated so much on my college apps that this was the only school I could apply for. I got in easily. I had NO distractions here but my computer first semester (I'm a computer nerd, it's required :P), yet I still didn't do my homework. I was continuously skipping class because I can now and couldn't in high school when I wanted to every day. My grades were suffering, first semester I received a 2.5 gpa. Something had to be done. I thought about getting my adderall prescription filled again, but then I came across an article about cannabis and its uses to remedy ADHD. I was immediately intrigued. I sought out help from some hallmates who were more experienced with the herb .

Something that I found enjoyable during first semester was smoking with my hallmates. After a month of thinking they were just drug addicts, I found myself talking to them more and more and realizing that these guys were actually more intelligent than my current friends who were all self-proclaimed intellectuals. They got me high for my first time ever (it was a bong, by the way ), and since then, I've been smoking marijuana almost every day. At first, I binged. I smoked a lot of pot, way more than needed to get high at my tolerance. I loved the feeling it gave me. I could deal with social situations that were worsened by my ADHD in a much better manner. I could focus better, I was less impulsive, and frustration seemed to just slip away. Things were looking bright...

Until I realized what I was doing. I was continuously smoking throughout the day and basically was high all the time. I realized that people around me were getting the idea that I was this huge stoner. I'd always be stoned and smell like a hint of the herb so people immediately judged me and put me in the "pothead" category. This disgusted me. Just because I smoked, people automatically slotted me as someone who just smokes pot all day and does nothing else. What bothered me most is that people didn't believe that I was intelligent. I was out of it most of the time, so people figured I was a stupid stoner kid. Stereotypes with marijuana are so wrong, but so prevalent within society.

I also found that the reason I was smoking in the first place had been lost. I was smoking to relieve my ADHD. It worked, but I smoked too much. I was blasted all the time so it actually had the reverse effect. I was just as inattentive, obnoxious, and impulsive as I was before smoking. I had a big wakeup call when my hallmates confronted me about these issues. Something had to be changed, and I knew what it was.

I've reduced my cannabis consumption down to around 3 times per day on weekdays. Sure, on weekends I'll get blasted every once in a while, but for the most part I smoke much less marijuana than I did before. I found that consumption of cannabis via eating it gave much better results with regards to curing ADHD symptoms. The longer lasting "buzz" I guess you could call it is something that helps me through my school day. I am more attentive, less impulsive, and generally more mellow after eating cannabis rather than smoking it. Smaller amounts, too, showed promise that this could be the answer to all of my problems.

So, I began a routine that I still continue today, and it's done so well to cure my symptoms. In the morning, I eat a piece of toast with cannabis peanut butter. This is excellent for focus and to slow my mind down enough to think throughout the day. I eat a cannabis cookie after dinner. This gives me the ability to focus enough to do my homework throughout the evening. At night, I usually smoke a one hitter or use my vaporizer. This clears my mind enough so that I can lay down and actually fall asleep within 15 minutes, rather than lying in bed for an hour while my mind races about. Really, it reminds me of adderall, without the addictive properties and without the withdrawal if you don't feel like taking it anymore.

So, I would consider the treatment of my ADHD with marijuana to be rather successful. I am attending class daily without any problems. I am able to do my homework and study each night without being distracted. Aside from school, it also helps me in social situations that are made worse by my ADHD. My friends notice that I am no longer as obnoxious or impulsive anymore, and I'm a much more bearable friend. I am very happy with the results, and I suppose the next step is to make this magical herb legal!

[Infurion]

Good for you man. I have ADD as well and I can't stand adderall, stopped taking it a long time ago, but cannabis has proven to be nearly as effective without the horrid side effects.
+rep

[l3mons]

Hey, nice story.. I also have a problem like this but i was not diagnosed with a learning disorder but i'm a very smart student but cant seem to be concentrated enough to do my homework or half the time able to write notes due to concentration issues.. ever since i started smoking ive been able to concentrate and do my homework.. i use to make 80%'s now i make high 80%' and low 90%'s just from smoking it curves my concentration. who knows...

[Unearth]

Originally Posted by l3mons

Hey, nice story.. I also have a problem like this but i was not diagnosed with a learning disorder but i'm a very smart student but cant seem to be concentrated enough to do my homework or half the time able to write notes due to concentration issues.. ever since i started smoking ive been able to concentrate and do my homework.. i use to make 80%'s now i make high 80%' and low 90%'s just from smoking it curves my concentration. who knows...

I really hope I get more responses like this. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one. Have you tried eating some pot brownies or something? It may prove even better than smoking it for you.

[ripthereefer420]

i have ADD as well. but the problem is, marijuana is making me more lazy, therefore i almost never do my homework. i pass tests usually with a high 80 to a high 90 percent. but weed makes it hard for me to focus in school. but it does calm me down.

[l3mons]

Originally Posted by Unearth

I really hope I get more responses like this. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one. Have you tried eating some pot brownies or something? It may prove even better than smoking it for you.

No, i have not i have never baked anything with marijuana, nor have i ever ingested it. I would like to try this just need an easy way, not up to making brownies, hmm.

[Unearth]

Originally Posted by ripthereefer420

i have ADD as well. but the problem is, marijuana is making me more lazy, therefore i almost never do my homework. i pass tests usually with a high 80 to a high 90 percent. but weed makes it hard for me to focus in school. but it does calm me down.

As I have ADHD, and ADHD and ADD are quite different, it may not have a positive effect on you or as much of a positive effect as it has on me.

[MadeofPages]

I had a very similar situation academically, always got good grades in high school and middle school, but never did my homework, cut class a lot once I got to college. I was never diagnosed with ADD, I just think it's more than I'm lazy and my mind is so full of other things. Many times I can't make room for academics because priority-wise schoolwork can take a backseat when I ace tests and get in good with the professors. I started smoking weed after I left my college to straighten myself out. At first it was a social thing, but now I think it gives me a way to relax my mind on a regular basis, let all those other tangents in my head unravel so when I have class or schoolwork I can devote my attention to it.

[jl262]

thats sounds exactly like my situation. i dont have adhd (ive never been tested) but iprocrastinated through high school and still got a 3.38 gpa, went to a shitty state school because i was too lazy to apply to other schools and then have to apply for scholarships and financial aid. sometimes before class i smoke a spliff and it gets me a little high and it does help me concentrate. usually in class my mind is racing and i cant focus on the professor for more than 10 seconds before being distracted by something outside or even a pen mark on the desk

[pointless56]

Wow. This post is like reading into a mirror, if you an picture that. Your situation is almost exactly like mine. I don't have ADD or ADHD but i smoke cannabis for the exact same reasons. I am way more focused and energetic when i smoke and It really helps with my anxiety, helping me lead a normal life.

[Unearth]

Originally Posted by pointless56

Wow. This post is like reading into a mirror, if you an picture that. Your situation is almost exactly like mine. I don't have ADD or ADHD but i smoke cannabis for the exact same reasons. I am way more focused and energetic when i smoke and It really helps with my anxiety, helping me lead a normal life.

How do you know you don't have ADD or ADHD? Have you been tested?

[Unearth]

Originally Posted by jl262

thats sounds exactly like my situation. i dont have adhd (ive never been tested) but iprocrastinated through high school and still got a 3.38 gpa, went to a shitty state school because i was too lazy to apply to other schools and then have to apply for scholarships and financial aid. sometimes before class i smoke a spliff and it gets me a little high and it does help me concentrate. usually in class my mind is racing and i cant focus on the professor for more than 10 seconds before being distracted by something outside or even a pen mark on the desk

Yeah man. You should get tested. See a mental health doctor that deals with learning disabilities. My doc also helped me with my depression and bipolarity.

[FuglyFungus]

Nice post. +rep.

[Unearth]

Originally Posted by FuglyFungus

Nice post. +rep.

Much appreciated.

[NoRest]

I can't relate on the ADHD but I can relate on the stereotype of stoners being lazy idiots. I have recieved outstanding grades throughout my whole academic career (up to one semester of college). I have been smoking from senior year on and I have had the most intelligent discussions of my life while I was high. I find it to be an intellectual boost that makes me think more abstractly and helps me become a better problem solver. I do however seperate herb and school, smoking makes me less motivated to do schoolwork because it is dull and mind numbing.

Definitely an uplifting post!