Best Alternatives to Adderall You Can Start Today to Treat ADHD | By a Pharmacist

Introduction

We’re halfway through 2024, and if you have ADHD and are medicated you’re probably aware of the ongoing drug shortages of ADHD medicines like Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, Focalin or Dexedrine.

 

The shortage has been causing several patients to either go without their medications or having to painstakingly call around to dozens and dozens of pharmacies to see if they have them in stock.

 

Luckily, there are some alternatives with data that you can try to help curb your symptoms. And I’m not saying to get off your medications, but in the meantime if you’re waiting for medicine or if you just wanted to try something else. I think these might be worth a shot.

 

B Vitamins

Across the board, B vitamins play a crucial role in brain health and function. Each B vitamin contributes uniquely to cognitive processes, making this complex a valuable alternative or even a complement to stimulant medications like Adderall or Vyvanse.

 

Vitamin B1 or Thiamine: is vital for energy production in the brain. It helps convert carbohydrates into glucose, the primary energy source for the brain which means adequate thiamine levels enhance mental clarity and focus, which are often the common areas of concern in ADHD.

 

Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters play a significant role in mood regulation and attention.

 

Vitamin B9 or Folate, or folic acid in its synthetic form, is crucial for DNA synthesis and repair, as well as the production of neurotransmitters, so low folate levels have been associated with cognitive deficits and mood disorders. Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin is essential for the maintenance of nerve cells and the production of myelin, the protective sheath around nerves that help push signals around in the brain. It also plays a role in the production of neurotransmitters.

Vitamin B3 or Niacin aids in the conversion of food into energy, providing an ample amount of brain fuel.

 

Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin helps maintain normal levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to cognitive function.

 

Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid assists the production of acetylcholine which is another neurotransmitter that plays a role in attention and learning.

 

And then there’s Biotin or Vitamin B7 that’s involved in metabolic health for the brain. You don’t have to buy these all separately, they come in a convenient form called a B-Complex that you can find at any local pharmacy.

 

L-Theanine

L-Theanine, an amino acid predominantly found in things like green tea and has been popularized in recent years for its potential to enhance cognitive function and promote relaxation, without causing drowsiness.

 

The way L-Theanine works is by crossing the blood-brain barrier and modulating the levels of several neurotransmitters, including GABA, dopamine, and serotonin. By increasing GABA levels, you produce a calming effect on the brain which reduces anxiety and then enhances focus. In addition, managing dopamine and serotonin levels also helps improve mood and cognitive function.

 

There is a growing body of research that supports the usefulness of L-Theanine in improving cognitive performance and reducing anxiety. For instance, a study published in the journal of Nutritional Neuroscience found that supplementation with L-Theanine significantly increased alpha brain wave activity, which is associated with a state of relaxed alertness. This is particularly beneficial for those with ADHD, as it can help improve attention and focus without the jitteriness associated with some of the stimulants out there.

 

One interesting aspect of L-Theanine is its synergistic effect when combined with caffeine. This combination is naturally found in tea, and research has shown that it can enhance cognitive performance. A study in the journal Biological Psychology that demonstrated that the combination of L-Theanine and caffeine together, improved accuracy and attention in tasks requiring rapid information processing, compared to caffeine alone. This means that for individuals with ADHD, L-Theanine could potentially mitigate the overstimulating effects of caffeine, providing a balanced boost in cognitive performance.

 

Another critical aspect of ADHD management is the regulation of sleep patterns. A lot of people with ADHD struggle with insomnia or just poor sleep quality, which can exacerbate symptoms during the day.

 

So how much should you take?

 

The typical dosage of L-Theanine for these studies ranges from 100 to 200 mg per day. It is generally considered safe with a low risk of side effects, making it suitable for long-term use. This is also something you should be able to pick up at your local pharmacy. It’s a little harder to find and may be easier to pick it up online.

 

Magnesium

Now we’ve gone from Vitamin, to Amino Acid, to Mineral.

 

Magnesium plays a huge role in numerous bodily functions, including nerve and muscle function, energy production, the synthesis of DNA and RNA and its significance extends to brain health. So this one is also good for an overall health standpoint. Magnesium’s impact on ADHD is multifaceted.

 

One of its primary roles is as a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, many of which are crucial for brain function. For example, magnesium is involved in the regulation of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that transmit signals in the brain. It helps maintain the balance of neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, which are essential for cognitive functions like attention, focus, and emotional regulation.

 

Studies have shown that children with ADHD often have lower levels of magnesium compared to their peers. There was a study which found that supplementation of magnesium to these kids improved aggression, relentlessness, hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. So… by restoring magnesium levels, we can support the brain processes that underlie cognitive and behavioral control.

 

You can find this at your local pharmacy with one caveat… there are so many kinds. Which one do I choose?

There’s three you’re primarily going to find. Most commonly, you’re going to find Magnesium Oxide, Magnesium Citrate and maybe magnesium glycinate. Magnesium citrate you’ll tend to see more symptoms of diarrhea which would be great if you are convenient constipated as well, but I usually recommend magnesium oxide or glycinate with glycinate being a little better as far as absorption.

For the dose, you should take 100-400mg per day depending on your tolerability.

 

L-Tryptophan

Another amino acid on our list, L-Tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is important in the synthesis of serotonin. It’s actually the precursor of serotonin.

So when you take L-Tryptophan, your body will convert it to 5-HTP which you can also find as a supplement, and THEN into serotonin. And we know that serotonin is good for mood stabilization, sleep, and cognitive functions like attention and impulse control.

 

So for individuals with ADHD, this translates to better focus, reduced impulsivity, and overall enhanced emotional regulation.

 

I know we’ve been talking about supplements for ADHD but I did find a journal article published in Psychopharmacology which found that L-Tryptophan supplementation enhanced cognitive performance and mood in healthy people too so it’s something to consider taking beyond for people with ADHD.

 

If you wanted to try this one out, the typical dosage of L-Tryptophan ranges from 500 to 1000 mg per day.

 

Mucuna Pruriens

Also known as Velvet Bean. This is one that I’d actually not even heard of until a patient of mine mentioned it to me not too long ago and I had to look it up.

 

Mucuna pruriens is a tropical plant that manages ADHD by boosting dopamine levels. The active ingredient to Mucuna Pruriens is L-DOPA, the precusor to dopamine. So it’s the same idea as L-Tryptophan where Mucuna Pruriens to Dopamine is what L-Tryptophan is to serotonin.

 

So there is definitely compounding effects that you can reach by combining these products together and having an abundance of available neurotransmitters and a healthy network of neurons to help get signals around your brain and having a more focused and happier day.

In Conclusion

So there we have it, 5 potential products that could help curb ADHD symptoms while you wait for your medications to become available or if you wanted to try something new.

 

I really appreciate, if you made it to the end of the post and if you have any questions at all, shoot us an email. If you’re looking for additional information on other supplements make sure to look around our blog and articles for more articles!