Use of Cannabidiol in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Systematic Review of the Literature

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric conditions in children, characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Conventional treatment for ADHD includes stimulants and behavioral therapies; however, some children may have unsatisfactory responses or undesirable side effects. In this context, cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant, has attracted interest as a possible therapeutic alternative. This systematic review aims to analyze the available scientific literature on the use of cannabidiol in children with ADHD, seeking evidence regarding its efficacy and safety as a complementary or alternative treatment. Methodology: The systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search for articles was carried out in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications from January 2000 to September 2023. The inclusion criteria were studies investigating the use of cannabidiol in children aged 6 to 12 years, diagnosed with ADHD, including randomized clinical trials, controlled studies, and systematic reviews. Studies involving other age groups, children with significant psychiatric comorbidities, or articles not available in accessible languages were excluded. Objectives: To analyze and synthesize existing studies on the use of cannabidiol in children with ADHD; to assess the efficacy of cannabidiol in reducing ADHD symptoms in children; to investigate the safety of cannabidiol as a therapy for children with ADHD; to identify possible gaps in knowledge and guide future research in this area. Results: The systematic review identified a limited number of studies specifically addressing the use of cannabidiol in children with ADHD. Most of the studies found were small, controlled clinical trials with reduced sample sizes. Some of these studies reported significant improvements in ADHD symptoms after treatment with cannabidiol, while others did not observe significant differences compared to control groups. Regarding safety, only a few mild side effects, such as drowsiness and nausea, were reported. However, it is important to note that long-term studies are scarce. The results suggest that cannabidiol may have potential as a therapeutic option for children with ADHD, but further comprehensive and robust research is needed to confirm these conclusions. Conclusion: The systematic literature review on the use of cannabidiol in children with ADHD highlights the scarcity of available studies in this area. Although some studies suggest that cannabidiol may be effective in reducing ADHD symptoms in children, the results are inconclusive due to the small sample sizes and lack of long-term studies. Furthermore, the safety of cannabidiol use in children requires further investigation. It is essential to conduct additional research to obtain more solid evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol as a complementary or alternative treatment for ADHD in children. Until more robust scientific data is available, the use of cannabidiol in children with ADHD should be approached with caution and under the supervision of qualified healthcare professionals.