A British father has opened up about his experience using medicinal cannabis to manage his ADHD. ADHD, which affects roughly 2.6 million people in the UK—including around 694,000 children and 1.9 million adults—can sometimes go undiagnosed until adulthood. Symptoms include making careless mistakes, difficulty focusing, and problems with organization.
For Liam Hunt, from Huntingdon, England, his ADHD diagnosis came at age 32. Now 37, the father of one turned to a private medical cannabis clinic after struggling with two prescribed medications. Despite cannabis being illegal for general purchase in the UK, it can be prescribed for specific conditions through doctors, including via the NHS.
Liam first tried xaggitin, but the medication caused excessive sweating, leaving him feeling worse. He then switched to lisdexamfetamine, which had fewer side effects but disrupted his sleep and appetite. He still found it difficult to manage ADHD-related thoughts, often dwelling on the events of the day.
Seeking an alternative, Liam consulted with doctors at Alternaleaf and was prescribed 20 grams of medicinal cannabis per month. He covers his appointments through a £15 monthly membership fee. Combining cannabis with lisdexamfetamine, Liam says the cannabis helps him “center” himself. He explained how, at the end of the day, a walk with his dog and vaping the cannabis allows him to calm down, organize his thoughts, and relax.
His once chaotic thought process has become more manageable, helping him complete tasks and improve his organization. Cannabis also alleviates the side effects of his other medication, improving his appetite and sleep.
In 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence reported that ADHD affects about five percent of children globally and three to four percent of UK adults. With diagnoses on the rise, there has been increased demand for prescription drugs, causing shortages. Medicinal cannabis has been available in the UK since 2018.