Nootropics, or "smart drugs," are known for enhancing focus, productivity, memory, and other cognitive functions. Many are natural and potentially safer than prescription medications for similar issues.

This raises the question of whether nootropics for ADHD can effectively address concentration and related symptoms. While natural nootropic supplements aren't approved for ADHD treatment and may not replace traditional medications, they could still offer benefits for managing inattentiveness, low energy, and brain fog.

We'll explore how nootropics for ADHD might be used effectively, whether used alone or alongside conventional ADHD treatments.

Nootropics, often called “smart drugs,” are substances that enhance various aspects of cognition. They range from herbal supplements to pharmaceuticals, with effects varying from boosting memory to improving focus and endurance.

In this article, we’ll focus on nootropics for ADHD specifically beneficial for managing ADHD symptoms such as focus, memory, and stress. While prescription options are available, many find that natural ADHD supplement stacks , which are part of the best nootropics for ADHD , can positively impact daily life with fewer side effects. For personalized advice, consult your doctor to explore both pharmaceutical and natural options.

Nootropics vary widely in their effects, and their mechanisms, especially for managing ADHD, are not always fully understood. Research on natural nootropics for ADHD is limited, and many of these supplements have not been independently studied for ADHD management.

To gain insight, we can look at medications like Adderall, commonly prescribed for ADHD. Adderall works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, neurotransmitters linked to motivation, attention, and focus.

While many ADHD supplement stacks lack extensive research, some natural nootropics also aim to boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels or improve brain blood flow, enhancing overall cognition. Others support nerve growth or neuronal production.

Given the variety of effects, combining different nootropics for ADHD into an ADHD stack might offer comprehensive cognitive benefits. Many products already use this approach to provide a synergistic mix of brain-boosting benefits.

First and foremost, we want to reiterate that nootropic supplements are not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. You should not use natural nootropic options to replace ADHD medication or to self medicate without talking to your doctor. 

However, there are many natural nootropics that may have benefits that apply to ADHD symptoms. The most common nootropic focus enhancer supplements include:

Caffeine is a widely used nootropic that promotes alertness by blocking adenosine, a chemical that drives sleep. It can enhance focus and help you stay awake. However, its effectiveness for individuals with ADHD is debated—some find it helpful, while others feel it makes them more tired.

The impact of caffeine on ADHD symptoms is unclear, and it can have side effects, especially in large doses. These include addiction, high blood pressure, anxiety, and adrenal fatigue. Therefore, it's crucial to use caffeine mindfully and consider combining it with other nootropics to maximize benefits while minimizing dosage.

L-Theanine is an amino acid that is commonly found in tea leaves–another natural compound that’s been studied for its potential use in improving cognitive function. In recent years, there has been growing interest in using L-Theanine as a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) because of its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and positively affect the brain's neurotransmitters. 

More specifically, it may help to boost neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. Dopamine is particularly relevant to ADHD as it is involved in the brain's reward system and plays a role in attention, motivation, and executive function.

In a small study conducted in 2011, L-Theanine was found to improve cognitive function and increase alpha brain wave activity in children with ADHD. Alpha brain waves are associated with a relaxed but focused state of mind and are thought to be beneficial for individuals with ADHD. The study also found that L-Theanine reduced symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity in the children.

A 2019 study found that L-Theanine supplementation improved attention and reduced hyperactivity in adults with ADHD. The study also found that L-Theanine reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is often elevated in individuals with ADHD.

While these studies are promising, it's important to note that they were small and conducted over a short period. More research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of L-Theanine for ADHD and to determine the optimal dosage and duration of treatment.

While there’s currently less data to link L-Tyrosine to ADHD treatment, there’s good reason to believe that it may positively impact cognitive performance. 

The original sentiment behind L-Tyrosine for ADHD stemmed from the belief that children with ADHD had low levels of tyrosine in the brain. While this claim has only been substantiated in half of the research available, there’s definitely some interest surrounding L-Tyrosine’s potential ability to improve cognition, especially in cases of stress. 

According to a review of 15 studies, taking tyrosine supplements may improve memory, particularly in challenging situations such as extreme weather or high cognitive load. Another 2015 study also found that tyrosine supplementation could enhance cognitive function in the short term during stressful or demanding circumstances. 

Yet another study in 2015 revealed that taking tyrosine supplements may enhance cognitive flexibility in high cognitive demand situations. These studies involved healthy adults, however, and not adults with ADHD. 

Bacopa monnieri, commonly known as water hyssop, is a traditional Ayurvedic herb used to improve memory and enhance brain focus, among other uses like mood enhancement and treating seizures. 

Modern research has unearthed new ways this herb may be used, like to help prevent brain damage and protect against age-related neurodegeneration. It may also help to regulate the production of important neurochemicals– serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and acetylcholine– to help the brain work more effectively. 

Although evidence is still lacking in many areas, researchers agree that the cognitive enhancing effects of bacopa monnieri are significant. In fact, bacopa was found to be superior to two other nootropic supplements–ginseng, an herbal supplement known for increasing energy  and modafinil, a medication designed to promote alertness in people with narcolepsy. 

Ginkgo biloba is a tree native to China that has been used with medicinal intent for centuries. Historically, it is known to promote blood flow throughout the body, which may be the cause behind its potential cognitive benefits. 

One of its primary uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine was as a cognition enhancer for older adults. There are also reports of Ginkgo being used by young, healthy subjects to enhance creativity and concentration. 

For now, research is limited and mostly looks into ginkgo’s potential ability to protect against age-related decline. A 1996 study, for instance, found a Ginkgo extract to be effective in treating Alzheimer’s Disease. Another trial the following year offered a similar conclusion–the same Ginkgo extract was shown to be effective in stabilizing and improving cognitive function in dementia patients. 

More research is needed to fully understand its potential impact, but ginkgo is usually well-tolerated and can be found in many nootropic stacks designed to enhance concentration. 

Alpha-GPC, (also known as L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) is an essential lipid that helps to make up cell bodies. It plays an essential role in the regulation of various cellular processes, including the production of choline, which is necessary for nearly all neurological functions. 

Research shows that Alpha-GPC can increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter that helps carry out all basic memory and learning functions. 

Furthermore, new evidence suggests that choline, among other nutritional compounds, plays a larger role in ADHD than we initially realized. 

One study evaluated the effects of choline supplements on cognitively delayed children suffering from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, a neurological condition that’s described as a leading cause of ADHD in children. At a four year follow up, the children who received choline supplements were reported to have “higher non-verbal intelligence, higher visual-spatial skill, higher working memory ability, better verbal memory, and fewer behavioral symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than the placebo group.”

Because of its positive impact on memory and working memory, research has found that alpha-GPC supplementation may be useful for improving the symptoms of dementia, which is why alpha-GPC-based medications are routinely prescribed to treat dementia in many parts of Asia. 

However, one study found that increased choline intake may be linked to improved cognitive performance even outside of dementia. The research saw improvement in four areas in healthy adults: verbal memory, visual memory, verbal learning, and executive function.

For those ADHDers relying on caffeine to fuel their focus, Alpha-GPC may overwrite those benefits, too. One study comparing the impact of caffeine and alpha-GPC found that alpha-GPC supplementation was associated with an 18% increase in the performance speed of young adults carrying out various physical and mental tasks.

Lion’s Mane is a medicinal mushroom that was once obscure, but is now holding the spotlight as the “mushroom for the mind.” More specifically, it’s touted as a cognitive enhancer that can help promote nerve growth and improve cognition over time. 

According to one study, Lion’s Mane is one of three different functional mushroom extracts that may help stimulate the growth of nerve cells within the brain, spinal cord, and retina. This could help the brain to create new neuronal connections, increasing your processing speed and efficacy over time. 

Increasing nerve cell growth may mean that Lion’s Mane can help to prevent or heal damage to the brain tissues caused by injuries or environmental circumstances. Another study puts this into perspective, claiming that the use of Lion’s Mane speeds nervous system recovery by 23-41% in animal subjects.

Research has also found Lion’s Mane to be potentially useful in healing damage that leads to age-related cognitive impairments. In one study, consuming Lion’s Mane daily for four months was associated with a significant increase in cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairments.

In most research, the effects of Lion’s Mane end shortly after subjects stop taking the mushroom, so daily supplementation is best for consistent cognitive benefits. 

MCT oil is a nutritional supplement made up of medium-chain triglycerides, or a type of fat molecule that is easier for the body to digest. Essential fats are crucial to brain function, and many healthy adults don’t actually get enough of them. 

Therefore, MCT oil may have some serious benefits for boosting brain function. For instance, taking MCT oil daily is associated with an 8 to 9% increase in brain energy. MCT oil can help to prevent cognitive aging by helping to support the repair of brain tissues. 

It may even have a positive impact on gut health, which has an undeniable impact on brain health. Good gut bacteria helps to produce many of the neurochemicals needed for healthy brain function.

Taking MCT oil daily is associated with countless health benefits, from improved mood to weight loss and more. It is not usually found in nootropics stacks but is easy to find and affordable, so you can work it in as a separate supplement. Since it is only a nutritional fat, it’s safe to take alongside most other supplements. 

Resveratrol is a polyphenol, a group of compounds that have antioxidant effects. Antioxidants help to protect the body from free radical damage, which is a primary cause of age-related neurodegeneration. Resveratrol is naturally found in the skin of red grapes, peanuts, pistachios, blueberries, and cranberries. It is the primary reason that red wine is sometimes framed as “heart healthy.”

Some evidence suggests that resveratrol can help to reduce age-related cognitive decline by supporting the health of the hippocampus, or the portion of the brain responsible for memory functions. 

While resveratrol doesn’t work on its own to promote focus, it may help to soothe brain inflammation, which may help improve cognition overall. It’s generally safe to take alongside other nootropics, so it makes a good “team player” for increasing the efficacy of other cognition enhancers. 

If you're considering natural nootropics for ADHD , the first step is to consult your doctor. They can help assess the benefits and risks of integrating nootropics into your ADHD treatment plan. This is crucial, especially if you're currently on ADHD medication, as stopping these medications suddenly can lead to withdrawal, and some nootropics may interact with prescription drugs.

Once you've discussed this with your doctor, you can explore how to use nootropics effectively. Typically, nootropics are used in combination, or in an ADHD stack , to provide comprehensive cognitive support rather than relying on single supplements.

Consider the dosage and timing for each nootropic you choose. Opting for a pre-made ADHD supplement stack can simplify dosing and ensure a balanced approach to enhancing cognitive function.

Nootropic stacks are unique blends of two or more nootropic supplements chosen for their synergistic effects. A nootropic stack usually contains an array of nootropics with unique mechanisms to create a sort of multivitamin for your brain. 

All nootropic stacks are different, but they end up being more convenient than trying to independently source each nootropic supplement you’d like to add to your personalized regimen. 

Plus, a high-quality nootropic stack manufacturer will have already considered the dosage when creating the formula, which means you can use the dosing information on the label to your advantage. 

When choosing a nootropic supplement, make sure that you go for quality. Remember that supplements are not as well regulated as prescription medications are in the U.S. You’ll need to check the quality of the supplement you choose. Make sure that you buy from a high-quality, cGMP compliant manufacturer who uses third-party testing to prove the quality of their product. 

Our Lucid mushroom+nootropic stack is made with 100% USDA certified organic, fruited body mushrooms, that are hot water extracted (meaning both extracting and activating those health boosting compounds) so every sip you take delivers the goodness your body loves.

There are a number of nootropic supplements that may help to improve focus, but none that have been approved to treat ADHD. You may still find that certain nootropic supplements are beneficial for managing the symptoms of ADHD, but always talk to your doctor before self medicating. 

If you and your doctor decide to try nootropic alternatives for ADHD, you may want to consider looking for a high-quality nootropic stack–a blend of nootropics designed to enhance cognitive function from all angles. There are many of these out there, but our Lucid beverages bring something new to the table (or teacup). 

Lucid is a synergistic blend of medicinal mushrooms and nootropics designed to enhance focus and support a healthy brain, but it also does much more. Balancing on powerful therapeutics like Maitake, Lion’s Mane, Alpha-GPC, and more, Lucid beverages target whole-body wellness. Our unique ingredient blend helps to boost immunity, improve physical and mental performance, reduce stress, balance mood, and more. 

Read “What’s in a Lucid Stack?” to learn more. 

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