If stimulants can boost attention in adults and children with ADHD, can other non-medical stimulants like caffeine do the same? Caffeine, a psychoactive drug found in a number of drinks and pain relievers, is widely used for its ability to reduce drowsiness, increase alertness, and boost productivity.
At least 90% of adults in Europe and North America consume caffeine every day.
Children and teens usually get their caffeine from energy drinks and soft drinks.
Researchers have been investigating the value of caffeine as an alternative to stimulant medications, which produce serious side-effects in children.
However, experts are still not completely sold on using caffeine as an ADHD treatment.
Here's why.
Caffeine does not always work for everyone It is widely believed that a cup of Joe can boost one's brain functioning shortly after consumption, but not all studies support this idea.
In fact, results are contradictory - some studies discovered improved performance on memory tasks, while other studies show that caffeine improves attention but impairs short-term memory.
Other studies show that instead of making a person more active and awake, it actually calms a person down and encourages sleep.
In other words, caffeine works differently for everyone and it may not give you the desired effect you want.
Caffeine has short-lived action While caffeine can certainly produce a much-needed energy boost, its effects are more short-lived than ADHD medications.
With regular consumption, the effects of caffeine become diminished over time, leading to increased intake that may cause some side effects.
Additionally, a "caffeine crash" can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD by causing drowsiness, headaches, and fatigue.
Caffeinated drinks make ADHD worse Besides causing a crash when it wears out, caffeinated drinks can make ADHD symptoms worse because of the artificial preservatives, flavoring, and coloring in the ingredients.
Caffeine can also leech calcium out of the body, a mineral which is needed to fulfill many brain functions.
Caffeine has side effects Just because caffeine does not produce the same side effects as ADHD medications, it doesn't mean it's completely without side effects.
Caffeine can cause anxiety, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, and nervousness (the jitters).
When consumed in large amounts, caffeine can trigger a condition called caffeinism, which is characterized by muscle twitching, irritability, anxiety, heart palpitations, and headaches.
High intakes of caffeine over a long period of time may also cause gastrointestinal problems like peptic ulcers.
The bottom line If taken in moderate amounts, caffeine may help individuals with ADHD regain their focus for a short period of time.
Experts believe that 200 - 300 mg of caffeine per day to be a safe amount for adults.
However, taking as much as 100mg caffeine a day can make a person "dependent" on caffeine, which increases the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms if he or she decides to reduce consumption.
For these reasons, using caffeine as a treatment for ADHD is not recommended, unless taken under the direction of your doctor.