Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition characterized by hyperactivity, impulsiveness and difficulty paying attention. Fortunately, there are several natural treatments and prescription medicines that make ADHD manageable.
But what about coffee?
The caffeine in coffee is known to improve focus so it can be beneficial in reducing attention deficit, but it can also make you jittery increasing hyperactivity. So what’s the best solution? Read on to find out the answer to the question, can coffee make ADHD worse?
Can Coffee Make ADHD Worse?
How Caffeine Improves Focus
Caffeine is a stimulant. When it enters the body, it boosts dopamine levels which, in turn, improves focus and concentration. In this sense, it is effective in reducing attention deficit issues that many ADHD people deal with.
While this is one way, caffeine benefits ADHD, it also has detrimental effects including the following.
Negatively Affects Sleep
Too much caffeine can negatively affect sleep cycles, especially when it’s being consumed in excess or later in the day. A lack of sleep can increase ADHD symptoms like:
· Forgetfulness
· Irritability
· Lack of focus
Reduces Blood Flow to the Brain
Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor meaning it makes blood vessels smaller to reduce blood flow to the brain. ADHD medications also make blood vessels smaller.
Reducing blood flow helps ADHD because it decreases activity in regions of the brain that are overactive. This allows those regions to function better and cooperate with the rest of the brain.
While caffeine provides similar benefits to the medications used to treat ADHD, using them in combination can be dangerous. They will make the treatment more powerful, but they can also increase unwanted side effects.
Other Natural Alternatives
If you are wondering, “Can caffeine make ADHD worse?,” the jury is still out on that one. Health professionals say every case of ADHD is unique and caffeine may affect different people in different ways.
Therefore, it is best to take coffee and other caffeinated products in small doses to determine their effects before incorporating it into your diet.
It should also be noted that there are other ways to reduce ADHD symptoms without side effects including the following.
· Make Dietary Changes: Allergens, food coloring and preservatives have all been known to increase symptoms. ADHD patients are advised to eliminate them from their dietary routines.
· Avoid Stress: Yoga classes and walks outside can decrease stress that can trigger ADHD.
· Try Therapy: EEG biofeedback, behavioral and parental therapy have been shown to be effective in treating ADHD.
Supplements can also work to increase attention span without the unwanted side effects. Focus for Adults by Solaray is an example of a supplement designed to reduce symptoms of ADHD.
Solaray carries a complete line of high quality vitamins, minerals and other specialty products. Their Focus for Adults is a specialized formula that provides nutrients that are beneficial to normal brain function and cerebral circulation. Ingredients like L-tyrosine, GABA, and grape seed extract support neurotransmitter activity to improve concentration.
If you or a loved one has ADHD, you may be wondering, “Can coffee make ADHD worse?” Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to that question as it may affect patients in different ways. However, there are supplements, medications and lifestyle changes that can boost quality of life. What solutions do you recommend when it comes to improving focus?
