How Does Caffeine Helps ADHD

I wasn’t going to write about caffeine or coffee as an ADHD treatment. I don’t really know if it is consider natural at all, as it is also a stimulant like all other ADHD medications.

Anyway, I was in my office the other day talking to a co-worker in the afternoon when my boss walked in with a 2-liter bottle of diet Mountain Dew in his hand. He loves Mountain Dew and he drinks a lot of it. 

I don’t know how much exactly, but I always see a bottle of Mountain Dew – big or small on his desk.

Then it dawns on me that I should write about caffeine for ADHD. 

My boss is not hyperactive or anything. He hides in his office all day looking busy. He comes early and stays late, but we know he doesn’t do much. He talks 10,000 words per minute. 

I’m pretty sure he has undiagnosed ADHD or ADD, and self-medicating with caffeine as his ADHD treatment.

I started to learn about caffeine as ADHD treatment many years ago, when Child Psychiatry started sending their ADHD patients to see me. These children with ADHD are usually underweight because of poor appetite, an extremely common side effect of ADHD medications. 

I came across one patient who has mild ADHD symptoms. Instead of being put on ADHD medication, his/her psychiatrist suggested the family to give couple ounces of caffeine soda everyday, and it works.

At first I thought it was odd. But it makes perfect sense. 

Most ADHD medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are stimulants, and so is caffeine, except caffeine does not need prescription and readily available in beverages.

How many people do you know drinks coffee every day? Like their lives depend on it?

Interestingly, anecdotal evidence suggests that many people are already using caffeine to self-medicate themselves or their children.

Coffee has long been known for its ability to increase alertness, reduce daytime tiredness and improves mental focus and concentration. 

Caffeine is the main chemical compound that gives coffee its special power.

Caffeine has been studied for ages as a potential treatment for ADHD. But its use as a “therapy” is not widespread because research studies show that it is less effective than the common stimulants used. 

However, one could have argued that the caffeine doses used in these studies were too low to have a consistent effect. 

And, of course, if caffeine is shown to be more effective or just as effective, pharmaceutical companies would lose a lot of customers to Starbucks.

Caffeine is probably one of the most consumed drug in the world — more than alcohol, and more than tobacco. 

About 90% of adults worldwide consume it daily.  

Most of the caffeine is consume in the form of coffee (think Starbucks), and tea consumption is trailing right behind coffee. And caffeinated soft drinks and energy drinks are growing popularity among children and young adults. 

The average American consumes about 280mg a day, equivalent to about two cups of brewed coffee.

How Does Coffee Help ADHD?

100 mg of caffeine is equivalent to the low therapeutic dose of 5 mg of Ritalin. However, it is crucial to approach caffeine consumption responsibly, taking individual sensitivities and potential side effects into account.

  1. Increased Alertness and Focus: Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, has long been recognized for its ability to boost alertness and attention. For individuals with ADHD, caffeine can provide a much-needed surge of energy and mental clarity, enabling them to stay focused on tasks and minimize distractions. By enhancing alertness, caffeine can act as a valuable aid in managing ADHD symptoms and promoting productivity.
  1. Improved Cognitive Performance: Studies have suggested that caffeine can enhance cognitive performance, including memory retention and recall. Individuals with ADHD often struggle with working memory, the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind. Caffeine has the potential to bolster working memory capacity, allowing for better information processing and retrieval. This, in turn, can improve academic and professional performance.
  1. Enhanced Dopamine Activity: Dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to reward and motivation, plays a crucial role in ADHD. Individuals with ADHD often experience lower levels of dopamine, leading to difficulties with focus and motivation. Caffeine has been found to increase dopamine activity in the brain, potentially helping to restore the balance and improve these cognitive functions. By boosting dopamine levels, caffeine can contribute to heightened motivation and an increased sense of reward, positively impacting ADHD management.
  1. Increase Attention Span: One hallmark of ADHD is a reduced attention span, making it challenging to sustain focus for extended periods. Caffeine has been shown to lengthen attention span and delay mental fatigue, providing individuals with ADHD the opportunity to concentrate on tasks for longer durations. This extended attention span can prove invaluable in academic, professional, and personal settings, facilitating improved performance and productivity.
  2. Optimized Medication Complement: Many individuals with ADHD rely on prescribed medications to manage their symptoms effectively. Caffeine can act as a complementary tool to medication, potentially enhancing the therapeutic effects. When used responsibly and under the guidance of a healthcare professional, caffeine can work synergistically with prescribed treatments to maximize focus, memory, and overall cognitive functioning.

100 mg of caffeine is equivalent to the low therapeutic dose of 5 mg of Ritalin. 

An 8-oz cup of brewed coffee has about 135 mg of caffeine, black tea 60 mg, green tea 30 to 40 mg; and most caffeinated sodas have 35 to 55 mg and Red Bull energy drinks have up to 80 mg.

Does Coffee or Caffeine Make ADHD Worse?

As opposed to common notions that caffeine makes you hyper, many people with ADHD find coffee to the calming and soothing. Some even become sleepy with coffee consumption. 

Both caffeine and Ritalin are absorbed into the bloodstream within about 45 minutes and wear off after 3 or 4 hours.

Does Caffeine Cause Stunt growth?

The answer is no. John Hopkins just confirmed that. And I can also professionally testify from my experience. I’ve never seen a child with stunt growth from drinking coffee. 

ADHD medications…yes!

Read John Hopkins’ article “Does Coffee Stunt Your Growth?”

How Much Caffeine Can a Child with ADHD Have?

How much can your child have depends on how much he or she needs. I used to give my daughter about 4oz coffee in the morning before school, and before tennis matches. And that’s enough to help her focus. 

You can experiment with the amount with your child, start with 1 ounce to see what happen. 

If your child starts feeling jittery or shaky, then it’s probably too much. 

Use common sense to help your child. 

Does Caffeine Cause Stunt growth?

The answer is no.

There is a common belief that caffeine can stunt growth in children and adolescents. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. The idea that caffeine negatively affects growth stems from older studies that suggested a potential link between caffeine consumption and reduced bone density. However, more recent research has not found a significant association between caffeine intake and bone health or growth.

It’s important to note that moderate caffeine consumption is generally considered safe for most individuals, including children and teenagers. However, excessive caffeine intake can have negative effects on sleep quality, hydration, and overall health. It is recommended to limit caffeine intake in children and teenagers and encourage a well-balanced diet to support healthy growth and development.

Doctors all over the world have been using caffeine in babies. Caffeine is often used as a respiratory stimulant in premature babies who have difficulty breathing. It helps stimulate the respiratory center in the brain, promoting regular breathing patterns and reducing the likelihood of apnea (pauses in breathing). By improving respiratory function, caffeine can help prevent the need for intubation and reduce the risk of certain complications in premature infants.

If you have concerns about your child’s growth or have specific health-related questions, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional who can provide personalized advice based on your child’s individual needs.

How to Optimize Caffeine for ADHD?

This is my absolute favorite [clean energy drink] to help me stay focus on task when I need that extra boost of mental energy, focus and motivation. 

There are many other energy drinks out there that contain caffeine too. But most caffeinate drinks makes me anxious and jittery, so I’ve been avoid coffee and energy drinks at all cost.

But I find that when combining caffeine with calming adaptogens, such as ashwagandha, siberian ginseng, rhodiola rosea and schisandra, I don’t get the jitters and after crash like with coffee.

Here’s a little breakdown of the amazing natural ingredients in this delicious energy drink: 

  • Ashwagandha works more to help you relax, fight anxiety, and reduce depression compared to Rhodiola.
  • Siberian ginseng works to increase energy, boost memory, and increase brain function. In addition, research shows an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine with this adaptogen.
  • Rhodiola rosea helps restore balance to the body, increases energy, and improves concentration.
  • Schisandra helps improve memory and learning while calming the mind.
  • Alpha GPC helps reduce symptoms of ADHD, improve memory and focus by increasing dopamine level.
  • Also, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.

This powerful combination of caffeine and calming adaptogens offers a game-changing solution for individuals looking to optimize their cognitive performance and energy to stay focus on task from start to finish without the jitters and crash. 

  1. Laser Focus and Attention: Caffeine from green coffee beans enhances alertness and attention. Combining caffeine with calming adaptogens mentioned above, enhances cognitive function, sharpening your mental clarity and allowing you to dive deep into tasks with unwavering attention. Say goodbye to distractions and hello to heightened productivity and efficiency.
  2. No Crash, No Jitters: Caffeine provides an immediate energy surge, but it can sometimes cause jitters or a subsequent crash. By incorporating calming adaptogens, the stimulating effects of caffeine are balanced with the calming effects of adaptogen to promote overall calmness and stable energy. This combination allows for a more sustained and smoother release of energy, eliminating the rollercoaster effect often associated with caffeine consumption.
  3. Reduced Anxiety and Stress: Caffeine can sometimes cause anxiety and stress, which can further exacerbation ADHD symptoms. But the calming adaptogens provide a sense of relaxation and mental well-being. By incorporating these adaptogens alongside caffeine, you can experience increased focus and energy without exacerbating their underlying anxiety.
  4. Enhanced Cognitive Function: Unlock your brain’s full potential and unleash your creativity and problem-solving abilities. Combining caffeine and calming adaptogens specifically provide your brain with the essential nutrients it needs to function optimally. Experience improved working memory, mental agility, executive functioning and enhanced mental alertness that will propel you towards success.
  5. Improved Mood and Motivation: Caffeine has been linked to an increase in dopamine levels, the brain chemical responsible for motivation and reward. Calming adaptogens work to stabilize mood and promote calmness. Together, they create a balanced mood enhancement that can help individuals with ADHD overcome motivational challenges and maintain a positive mindset.

This is my favorite [clean energy drink] for focus and attention, because it works amazingly, tastes delicious and does not makes you feel jittery or give you the energy crash after. 

It’s just a smooth steady source of focused energy because of the unique combination of powerful natural clean ingredients designed to optimize your energy levels, helping you power through work, workouts, and everything in between. 

Unlike traditional energy drinks that leave you crashing and jittery. This natural vegan energy drink offers a unique blend of caffeine and calming adaptogens provides sustainable energy without the undesirable side effects. 

Don’t settle for mediocrity when you can unlock your true potential with every sip. Grab your [clean energy drink] today to experience the ultimate energy boost without the crash. 

Don’t wait any longer—supercharge your performance and take charge of your destiny!

Unlock your full potential and embark on a journey of optimized cognitive performance with the powerful combination of caffeine and calming adaptogens.

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Anna

Clean Eating Officer (CEO) at Malama Wellness + Hypnotherapy
I'm Anna, a passionate dietitian and hypnotherapist dedicated to helping parents of kids with ADHD unlock the transformative potential of healthy eating and holistic approaches. With years of experience in pediatric nutrition and a focus on mind-body connection, I provide personalized guidance and practical tools to support positive behavioral changes and nurture your child's well-being.
I'm Anna, a passionate dietitian and hypnotherapist dedicated to helping parents of kids with ADHD unlock the transformative potential of healthy eating and holistic approaches. With years of experience in pediatric nutrition and a focus on mind-body connection, I provide personalized guidance and practical tools to support positive behavioral changes and nurture your child's well-being.

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