Excerpt from Caffeine: “Herbal” Treatment of ADD/ADHD, by Monroe Gross, MD

Over 60% of ADD/ADHD people who entered my medical practice came to me using substantial amounts of caffeine to fight daytime tiredness and inadequate mental focus. This tells us, of course, that many ADD/ADHD people benefit from caffeine but it also says that many give up caffeine because it offers less than adequate treatment of their ADD/ADHD brain chemistry.

Caffeine is a potent stimulant. It does reduce daytime tiredness and improves mental focus in many with and without ADD/ADHD. It may not be as powerful as the amphetamines and methylphenidate (Ritalin), but it sure can be helpful for many with ADD/ADHD when it comes to functioning at work, in school, and in society.

…For completeness, let’s keep in mind some of the major drawbacks of caffeine for treating ADD/ADHD. First of all, caffeine is a short-acting stimulant with effectiveness usually for only three to four hours after each dose. Mental focus is improved but usually not to the degree it is with the amphetamines and methylphenidate. At doses that improve mental function, many ADD/ADHD people experience irritability, feel shaky, and are emotionally edgy. Also, when the stimulatory effect wears off, sedentary (i.e., those sitting and reading) individuals usually suffer from a mental “crash” characterized by listlessness, enervation, lack of motivation, feeling cranky, and being explosive. Finally, long-term users of caffeine who suddenly stop ingesting caffeine often suffer for one to three days with severe headache.

– Dr. Monroe Gross, MD, is founder of the ADD Medical Treatment Center of Santa Clara Valley.

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