I'd like to preface this by saying that, as someone with ADD who formerly had a CUD, I take no issue with pointing out the harms of cannabis. In fact, I was drawn to this webinar in large part because I wanted answers in regards to my own issues with the substance, and came in with not just an open mind, but a supporting one. However, after watching the entire lecture (save the last few minutes of questions), I have to say that I was fairly disappointed with this webinar for a few reasons that I'll discuss below. To start, it also seemed as though there was quite a bit of bias in the presentation of the negative consequences associated with cannabis use; when an effect had the potential to be long term/permanent, it was made clear, whereas it was left ambiguous for other (presumably shorter lasting) effects as to what duration could be expected. The dosage required to experience these effects also wasn't discussed, and while I understand there may not be a clear answer for that, some discussion along the lines of "Someone who smokes everyday can expect this, but it probably won't be a problem for someone who smokes once a month," would have been nice. There also wasn't any distinction made between smoking and ingesting cannabis, which is important when some of the symptoms (i.e. bronchitis) seem like they would be primarily issues with smokers, rather than simply the side effect of all cannabis. In addition, other commenters have pointed that some of the evidence used seems to be far less definitive than how it was presented, and at one point an edible was referenced as being "70-80% THC", which is both not how the potency of edibles are measured (they're generally given in mg of THC), but also such an absurdly high dose that it borders the unbelievable (a single M&M that was 70% THC by weight would be equivalent to a 700 mg dose, whereas a typical edible dose is around 5 - 10 mg, with 50 - 100mg being considered very strong). While none of this invalidates the points made in the video, it does cast doubt as to whether or not we're getting an accurate presentation on the subject, which would likely cause someone with a CUD watching to simply dismiss the video outright. DARE failed so many of our nation's teens and young adults, so I don't think it's a good idea to follow the same tact. Something else that bothered me was the allocation of time for discussing negative effects, and how this subject was approached. The majority of the video was spent discussing the negative effects of cannabis, rather than discussing the issue the webinar was purported to be about, 'How to Identify and Treat Cannabis Use Disorder in Teens and Young Adults'. I understand that it's important to cover why CUD is harmful, but it's not the point of the webinar, and shouldn't occupy the majority of the time, especially if this lecture is intended to be watched by someone who may have a CUD. If the actual meat of the video is preceded by 40 minutes of what feels like a scolding lecture on all the bad things that cannabis does to your brain, the message is much less likely to be taken seriously. I'd also like to make the point that focusing on the negative effects from a clinical perspective isn't how the message should be conveyed to ordinary people, especially teenagers and young adults; telling a teenager with ADD, "Smoking makes it harder for you to form relationships with other people, makes you like less likely to accomplish your goals, etc." will be taken much better than, "Your motivation! Your dendrites!". In fact, it felt somewhat tone deaf to list those issues without mentioning that people with ADD will be already struggling with motivation, memory, focus, and other issues, and so some will reject the idea that cannabis is causing those issues, because even if cannabis is making those issues worse, they've been struggling with those problems their whole life. My last major concern was with how identifying CUD and treating CUD were approached. The numbers given in the video were that ~10% of adults and ~20% of adolescents are addicted, meaning that the overwhelming majority of people who use cannabis aren't addicted. For that reason, I think that some attention should have been given to determining whether or not a person has a genuine addiction, or is merely a casual user. Although CUD was defined in the video, it was from both a fairly clinical perspective and from the perspective of the user, and as such does not make it clear what a CUD would look like from the perspective of the user's family and friends. In fact, for someone with ADD who uses cannabis casually (i.e. a few times a month or less), having a parent or friend treat them like an addict for it could completely backfire and cause negative changes to their life (worse relationships with friends/loved ones, frustration over being misdiagnosed, feeling distrusted, etc.) worse than any of the potential side effects from infrequent cannabis use. I would have also liked to see more of an attempt made to explain why people develop a CUD, because the attitude taken in the video felt somewhat cavalier. That isn't to say what he said was wrong, but it was presented as being fairly straightforward ("Weed helps you with X? Well, we will find something else to help you with X so you can stop smoking weed.") when my experience with CUD is that the dependence forms when seemingly nothing else will help. Speaking personally, I developed a CUD when I was working full time and going to school part time (taking about half the course load of a full time student), and it was largely because I didn't feel that I had time or access to relax in a healthier way. It's possible that someone could have suggested a way for me to unwind after each day that was still as relaxing as smoking and without the negative health benefits, but it's also possible that there just wasn't a good alternative. In my particular case, I had the schedule for just a few months, and the real issue I had wasn't during that time, but after when I found that I couldn't kick the habit I had built up. So to the point, it should discussed that people may not always have a good alternative to replace cannabis with, as assuming otherwise just leads to pain and frustration when someone is expected to kick their habit in favor of something else and can't. That isn't to say you give up in such cases, but the focus has to be on changing the person's life in ways such that they don't feel the need to self-medicate. I hope this comment doesn't come across as unwarranted or unfair, as I think that this is a topic worth discussing further, and I appreciate Dr. Olivardia's expertise on the matter. My goal is only to change the way this is discussed to better help those that with a CUD and their friends and family. Hope to see some of these points addressed in the follow-up with Dr. Olivardia ADDitude has scheduled later this month!

@googleuser25

4 жыл бұрын

I think this is an absolutely excellent comment. I wish there were many more studies being conducted (not with rats..) and that the information given about in schools was nuanced, unbiased and delivered pedagogically, respecting the students' intellects. Teenagers are not stupid, and I don't blame anyone for not responding positively to just being told "Weed is bad, because we say so and we're the adults". I formed my own opinion on the matter after seeing the negative effects of marijuana abuse on people I knew. I wanted to watch this seminar to increase my knowledge on a subject that I think is extremely important, especially nowadays when usage is increasing. There should also be more focus on what can be done for kids who have a natural attraction to "exploring" or a natural tendency to be bored, for example stimulating their brains and bodies with healthier (but more adrenaline friendly) hobbies like martial arts, motor sports, other high intensity sports, etc. Our society is not very ADHD-friendly, it tries to fit everyone in the same box, which is detrimental.

@Shayitisntso

3 жыл бұрын

I think you need to look at the true reason you decided to use marijuana Dailey. Read the book, “in the realm of hungry ghosts”. By Gabor Mate

@volleyballbabe1114

3 жыл бұрын

thank you so much for this comment. i scanned the slides, and felt like it had an overwhelming negative bias. this saves me the wasted time.

@tchelaumm

Жыл бұрын

just wanted to point that i loved your nickname and also a very intelligent and conscious approach on your comment! It really enhances the discussion. Thank you and congrats for the time and effort on this!

@ahn0x

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the helpful/necessary comment, you're deeply appreciated.

Suspected ADHD and ASD waiting for assessment, been self medicating for many many years now I want to quit so bad but I just cant get past the hole I sink into when I try. I was so close to the irreversible this time i gave in. I am trapped and the services here are as hopeless I am.

All these drawbacks could be said of many if not all medications

Not to discredit this webinar, but using the rat study in the middle of this video and saying that the effect is the same for human brains is kind of a logical leap. Human and rat brains are really different, and have different development times and responses, so to say humans dendrites respond the same without evidence in humans is a bit of a leap

@jesse154

4 жыл бұрын

@ADDitude Magazine In addition to this, after reading a bit on the New Zealand study referenced here, the lower IQ correlation with cannabis users really doesn't at all suggest that it was the cannabis itself that caused the lowering of IQ. I'm not an expert, but I can at least see that there are assumptions being made here. There are a countless number of variables which the article itself even admits and discusses. All that it shows is that there is a correlation, not a cause. It doesn't take into account lifestyle, background etc. It would make sense for example, that lower-middle class individuals who tend to have less access to opportunity, and be less educated (tend to have a lower IQ), would be more likely to use an illicit drug. This is no surprise. In other words, it seems far more likely that the correlation of lower IQ (of which is far from comprehensive and only really testing a narrow vein of problem solving skills), causes illicit drug use, not the other way around. This is not to argue that cannabis can't have harmful effects. I just don't think we should throw out statements saying that it makes you dumb, based on evidence like this. (Also I was stoned when I wrote this comment)

Cannabis is a stimulant just like adderall, ritalin, coffee, sugar, nicotine. They all help with ADHD symptoms. You have to find what works best for you.

Great job on the video.

I felt this speaker was anti cannabis and lacked balance.

@larryjohnny

5 ай бұрын

True, he definitely gave that vibe. He’s probably a straight edge and has never tried it.. I think as a doctor you should have to try cannabis if you want anybody to value your critical opinion or “users”.. like we are on the street looking for the next fix.. that was annoying to hear such a negative vibe.. It seemed to work great for bob marley, John Lennon, and all the other actors, bball players, etc.. your telling me they’re all dumb and have troubles.. ??? Even rappers who smoke are making money and living the life.. should they quit and work at Starbucks. I don’t get the morality of using rap music. Plenty of classical musicians smoke too. Glen Gould. Comes to mind!

Hello I just watched this video, I am a profesional of the health department in oral hygiene! I believed is one of the best most valid seminar I have attended on this topic! Every body is different and react different to the effects of this substance, everybody is testing to defend but I am 💯 % the daily use causes effects Specially in the developing Brain 🧠Dr Olivardia is very professional and seems like he has lots of medical expertise! Thank you for this information! Gold value! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏼✅✅✅

ADHD has been a reality for me for 50 years.I am 72 and I have taken different big Pharma meds for years and years. I can truthfully say that none of them were especially effective and none of them do I take now. I started on weed at 14 and when I had kids in my twenties I stopped to avoid jail. When the Drug war endedI got a Med card and I vape about five or six times a day and it does a number on my short term memory but a notepad takes care of that. This guy is one of the Drug Warriors repurposed to degrade peoples use of weed. Man is a fool. Weed is the miracle for ADHD and boy do they hate it.This guy is paid to disparage it and at the core of all these studies is a lot of money they are not making so...folks my take on this is garbage and made up entirely.

really a bad presentation