Can coffee help you with your ADHD?
Sunday, January 7, 2024.
Is coffee truly the ‘Think Drink’?
Caffeinated drinks like coffee could help treat some of the symptoms of ADHD, research finds. It may help to increase both attention and retention capacities but is less effective for treating hyperactive symptoms.
A prescribed dose of caffeine may help to increase both the attention and retention capacities of adults and adolescents with ADHD.
However, while a common human experience of ADHD is essentially a problem with attention, others find that hyperactivity, or a combination of hyperactivity and inattention, may also be involved…
Caffeine may not be so useful at helping with the hyperactive and impulsive aspects of ADHD, the researchers think.
The conclusions come from a review of 13 separate studies carried out in animals — unfortunately, there’s insufficient evidence from human studies. More work is needed.
Dr. Javier Vázquez, the study’s first author, said:
“This substance improves these types of cognitive procedures, and increases capacity and flexibility in both spatial attention and selective attention, as well as in working memory and short-term memory.
[It also] doesn’t alter blood pressure, and doesn’t lead to an increase or reduction in body weight.”
For the hyperactive and impulsive side of ADHD, the results were not so clear. Dr. Vázquez made the distinction:
“The results are very positive, but we must be much more careful when prescribing a caffeine-based medical treatment for these symptoms.
In diagnoses in which the problem is purely attentional, caffeine may be an appropriate therapy, but if there’s a symptomatological presence of hyperactivity or impulsivity, we must be more cautious.”
Are there alternative treatments for ADHD?
Alternative treatments for ADHD are required as the current drug therapies are controversial, especially for kiddos with ADHD.
Side effects of methylphenidate, one common drug used to treat ADHD, include:
Stomach aches.
Headaches,
Increase in blood pressure and increased heart rate.
Sleeping problems, perhaps leading to chronic irritability.
Depression, aggression, and anxiety.
Many of these side effects are either common or exceedingly common in humans taking the drug.
Caffeine has its side effects as well, especially at higher doses.
Caffeine has also been found to be considerably less effective in treating ADHD in children, although better than no medication at all (Leon, 2000).
Dr. Vázquez added:
“We want to emphasize that we aren’t against medication for ADHD, but we’re open to investigating all possible alternatives for improving this type of disorder, and for being able to use caffeine from a therapeutic point of view with all the appropriate medical supervision, a prescribed treatment and follow-up.”
Final thoughts
I appreciate this wonderful study on several levels.
ADHD is a scourge on American marriages and is often found with neurodiversity.
There has to be a protocol for taking medication appropriately, with a weather-eye on managing a predictable array of symptoms. The behavioral enhancement, the ways in which you’re a better parent or partner… the juice has to be worth the squeeze.
Your meds matter.
Please take them everyday, and regularly check in with your loved ones as to their experience of you. Sometimes meds need to be adjusted.
But perhaps a minority of humans suffering from milder forms of ADHD might be able to soothe some of their symptoms with a commonly available caffeinated beverage.
I appreciate that sort of nuanced thinking as we learn how widespread, and unattended so many families struggling with ADHD have become. We need to do better.
Be well, stay kind and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Leon, M. R. (2000). Effects of caffeine on cognitive, psychomotor, and affective performance of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Attention Disorders, 4(1), 27-47. https://doi.org/10.1177/108705470000400103
Vázquez JC, Martin de la Torre O, López Palomé J, Redolar-Ripoll D. Effects of Caffeine Consumption on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treatment: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies. Nutrients. 2022; 14(4):739. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040739
