Caffeine and ADHD

By: Jack Whalen

Before we talk about the effects of caffeine and whether caffeine is positive or negative for people with ADD or ADHD, we must understand why and how caffeine works. Caffeine is a natural chemical with stimulant effects. It is found in coffee, tea, cola, cocoa, guarana, yerba mate, etc. Almost everyone has had caffeine at some point. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, heart, muscles, and the centers that control blood pressure. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. In small doses, caffeine can make you feel refreshed and focused. In large amounts, caffeine can make you feel anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Like many other drugs, developing a tolerance to caffeine is possible, which means you need bigger and bigger doses to achieve the same effect. Caffeine has good and bad effects on the body; However, these side effects affect everyone differently. Some may get all the negatives of caffeine even with low consumption, while others may only experience the positives of caffeine even with high amounts of consumption. The effects may differ from person to person on varying doses, but these effects include:

• Increased Alertness and memory

• Weight loss

• Insomnia

• Disruption of Circadian Rythm

• Arise in body temperature

• Dehydration

• Dizziness and headaches

• Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)

• Increases dopamine

Contrary to popular belief, Caffeine can benefit people with ADHD or ADD. Caffeine causes an increase in dopamine, which can boost the focus of many people with ADHD. The reason for this is that dopamine levels in the brain have to be within a very narrow margin for a person to focus on their work, but in ADHD, dopamine levels are too low. This increase in dopamine from Caffeine can get the levels just right. Caffeine mimics some of the effects of more potent stimulants used to treat ADHD, such as Adderall. Caffeine could be a natural alternative in some cases; however, Caffeine alone is less effective than prescription medications. A risk to watch out for is when caffeine and amphetamine medications like Adderall combine, and they cause an effect called synergy. Synergy occurs when two drugs have additive mechanisms of action, making their combined effect more powerful. Caffeine makes amphetamines more effective, so a person taking Adderall, for example, would likely feel a more substantial impact, including more significant side effects. Caffeine is also not recommended for children and teenagers. Everyone is different, so asking a doctor before making a health decision is essential. Also, never substitute traditional ADHD treatment without doctors' recommendations first.

Bibliography

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MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Caffeine: Benefits, risks, and effects. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285194#benefits