ADHD medications are among the most studied medicines in pediatrics. The most common ADHD stimulant medications have been used in children for more than 70 years. Millions of children have used these medications successfully, some for decades, without serious side effects.

How Does ADHD Medication Work?

There are mainly two types of ADHD medications: stimulants and non-stimulants.

Stimulants are the most common type of medication prescribed for ADHD.

Stimulant medications work by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are both neurotransmitters or brain chemicals for signaling. 

Dopamine is associated with motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement. There is concern that by artificially increasing the amount of neurotransmitter in the nerve cells, neurotransmitters maybe depleted in the rest of the body, which may cause potential neurotoxicity of amphetamine.

Stimulant ADHD medications include:

• Amphetamine (Adzenys XR ODT, Evekeo)

• Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine (Adderall and Adderall XR)

• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, ProCentra, Zenzedi)

• Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin and Focalin XR)

• Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)

• Methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate CD and Metadate ER, Methylin and Methylin ER, Ritalin, Ritalin SR, Ritalin LA, Quillivant XR)

• Sleep disorders
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Delayed or stunt growth
• Headaches and stomachaches
• Rebound (irritability when the medication wears off)
• Moodiness and irritability
• Personality change
• Tics

First of all, ADHD medications do not teach children proper study skills, coping methods, or social interactions. The medicine’s job is to create the opportunity for these skills to be developed. It is the parent’s job to take advantage of this opportunity to help your child thrive.

Even when the ADHD medication is safe and working, it isn’t as morally sound as engaging a child with effective parenting, healthy eating habits and educational interventions.

Stimulant ADHD medications are very effective in boosting concentration and focus while reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity. I’ve seen kids who are finally able to focus after starting medication, which helps to improve learning, grades, and self-esteem, which are positive long-term benefits.

However, many children experience uncomfortable or harmful side effects. The goal of therapy is to determine what will give him the most benefit, with the least side effects.

There are also side effects that may make the medications not worth the benefits in some children.

1. Getting the right dosage is important for minimizing side effects. If your child gets the right levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, he will be pretty focused. But if he gets too much, it can stress out the brain, and cause negative side effects.

2. Close monitoring by the prescribing doctor, parents, and treating therapist is very important. A lack of communication among the child, parent, doctor, and school teacher about the effects of medication can increase likelihood of a problem.

3. Make sure your child get enough physical activities. Studies show that exercise helps stimulate new brain connections, and helps improve memory and learning. 

4. I, as a nutritionist, would also agree that eating a healthy balanced diet that support brain functions would help to minimize medication needed and mitigate some of the side effects.

Remember children’s brain is growing rapidly every day. There’s a very good chance that your child may outgrow ADHD when given the right environment, which include proper food and nutrition. 

When your child is fed the right nutrients, the body and brain will grow and develop properly. This happens while your child is learn new skills with other therapies that lay the frame work for proper brain structure and connection. 

In addition to a whole food plant-based diet, I also recommend supplementing with healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which is a major component of brain tissues. Omega-3 fatty acid is one of the most studied nutrients in the ADHD population, and has been shown to help with focus and memory as well.

If you can use common natural substance to help your child stay calm and focus with school work, that means, your child will need less ADHD medicine, which also means, less side effects.

I have parents report great positive results simply by changing the diet of the whole family and supplementing the child’s diet with fish oil supplements.

Children with ADHD need more DHA and EPA than other children. They may need up to 500mg to 1,000mg DHA a day from fish oil or cod liver oil.

Please don’t buy fish oil “gummies”. Many parents are shock when I told them they have to increase the omega-3 gummies to 10-20 gummies a day to get the beneficial 500mg of DHA. 

So don’t waste your money on “gummies”.

Yes, you can.

In fact, 3oz (150g) of salmon contains 3,200mg fish oil, of which 1,900mg EPA and 1,300mg DHA. Other good fish choices are mackerel, sardines, herring, and black cod.

Remember, you cannot correct a deficiency with food alone.

A successful natural ADHD treatment should start with the foundational basics that feed and support your child’s brain growth and development, so you don’t waste time and money on another expensive supplements that do not work for your child. 

I hope you find this article helpful. Let me know what you think and comment below.

Are you ready to learn more about how to help your child have more good days in school, enjoy better mood, less emotional meltdowns and no more text or phone calls from the school without medicating?

Download this new free ebook “Natural ADHD Treatment Quick Start Guide”.