Understanding the relationship between cannabis use and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder, characterised by inattention, and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) are prevalent amongst ADHD populations. Preliminary evidence suggests cannabis can alleviate core symptoms of ADHD. Current NICE guidelines that provide guidance on cannabis medicines in the UK do not consider ADHD, which represents a key gap in healthcare guidance. A lack of human research and methodological problems convolute findings of the harms and medicinal potential of cannabis in ADHD populations. This PhD will address these issues by exploring cannabis use, CUD, and the medicinal potential of cannabis in ADHD populations and controls. My research questions are "what is the association of cannabis use and ADHD, and what are the potential harms and benefits of cannabis use in people with ADHD?". Four studies will be conducted as part of this project; (1) systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder in individuals with ADHD, (2) a qualitative investigation of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder in adults with ADHD, (3) associations of medicinal cannabis on clinical outcomes of ADHD(4) exploring the acute effects of cannabis in adults with ADHD using ecological momentary assessment (EMA).
I plan to undertake an overseas (KU Leuven, Belgium) residential EMA methods training course, and gain an internationally recognised qualification in EMA methods from this. I also plan to undertake SWDTP-Funded Bespoke Qualitative Training Workshops at the Centre for Qualitative Research (University of Bath), undertake training on systematic reviews and meta-analysis (Cochrane), MPlus, and core training in medical research from the GW4 MRC DTP. My research will be informed and disseminated to a Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) group, consisting of 10 individuals with lived experience of ADHD, with and without experience of using cannabis, whom I will meet with prior to beginning each study, and again upon completion of each study. My PhD will expand the field of ADHD and cannabis research by employing a series of advanced, novel, and cross-disciplinary methods. This research could produce findings with great social and economic importance and could inform understanding of how cannabis may harm and/or help people with ADHD which could inform NICE guidelines. My PhD aligns with the UKRI's strategic research theme 'Securing better health' and ESRC's strategic aim 'Improving health, wellbeing, and social care'.