ADHD in adults, cannabis use, and related consequences
Official title: ADHD diagnosis in adulthood: Implications for cannabis use and consequences
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11400420 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how ADHD in adults relates to cannabis use and its consequences, with a focus on sex differences and real-world impact.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $717,286 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA049721-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400420 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with ADHD, including adult women, who use or are at risk of using cannabis.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without ADHD or those not considering cannabis use are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
If you have ADHD as an adult or are curious about how ADHD affects cannabis use, this project looks at how ADHD symptoms and other factors relate to cannabis use and its negative outcomes. Researchers plan to study adults, including women, to understand whether sex differences change the risks and experiences around cannabis. The study acknowledges the growing number of adults diagnosed with ADHD and increased stimulant treatment, and it aims to fill gaps about how these factors interact with cannabis in daily life. By examining real-world patterns, the work could inform clinicians and patients about risks and guidance for safer choices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could help clinicians tailor guidance for adults with ADHD regarding cannabis use and its risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown links between ADHD and cannabis use, but sex-specific data in adults are limited and this study aims to address that gap.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Molina, Brooke S.g. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Molina, Brooke S.g.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How adult ADHD diagnosis relates to cannabis use and harms
This project looks at whether and how getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult relates to patterns of cannabis use and negative consequences for adults with ADHD, with attention to differences between women and men.
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Understanding how minority stress affects cannabis use in sexual minorities
A research project follows young adult sexual minorities to see how daily stress and coping help explain cannabis use and related problems.
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Cannabis policies and prenatal cannabis use: how laws affect moms and babies
This grant studies how changes in recreational cannabis laws influence cannabis use during pregnancy and health outcomes for mothers and children.
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Genetic, Social, and Environmental Factors Shaping Early Cannabis Use in Youth
A study with young people will look at how genes, surroundings, and behavior come together to predict who might start using cannabis early and how to prevent it.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.