6 Natural Supplements to Take the Place of Adderall
Adderall and other ADD medications can do great things for people who need them.
But as anyone who’s gone to college can probably tell you, drugs like Adderall are also easy — and tempting — to abuse. Adderall can keep you awake and focused for hours at a time, and who wouldn’t want to try that? Not to mention, pill use glamorized by movies like “Valley of the Dolls” and the endless fashion inspo it provides.
But as Beverly Hills Concierge Doctor‘s Dr. Ehsan Ali points out, Adderall has plenty of shitty side effects like jitteriness, insomnia, potential for abuse and dependency, and god knows what else in the long term.
Thankfully, Dr. Ali contacted us with some natural alternatives for adderall. He says this regimen has a smaller chance of long-term damage and unwanted side effects. So here’s what he recommends.
1. Protein
“Amino acids found in protein are used to make the neurotransmitters that make you feel calm and focused,” Dr. Ali said. “Specifically, the amino acid tryptophan, which you should have 500 mg of daily.”
As a bonus, protein is part of any healthy diet, obvi.
2. Cacao
In other words: chocolate. Yeah, we can def make this one work.
“Raw cacao can be stimulating to the brain and will help foster creativity and focus,” the doctor tells Galore. “I recommend taking two tablespoons daily.”
3. Omega fatty acids
Another healthy diet staple that can boost your energy and focus.
“At 2500 mg per day, these improve brain health,” Dr. Ali says. “Find them in fish, chia seeds, walnuts, and other foods, or take vitamins.”
4. Zinc
“Twenty milligrams daily has been shown to reduce impulsiveness,” Dr. Ali said. “If you don’t want to take a supplement, eat more spinach, beef, shrimp, or kidney beans.”
Shrimp and kidney beans, you say? Maybe we’ll try a supplement…
5. Magnesium
Remember magnesium from your high school chemistry class on the periodic table? Apparently, it can help you study.
“This helps provide relaxation and calmness,” Dr. Ali said. “It’s used to help treat insomnia. Although many patients with ADHD or ADD need to be more focused, there are also several who need to be more calm. Specifically those with ADHD, rather than ADD. For that population, magnesium would be beneficial.”
6. Getting a good night’s sleep
This should be a no-brainer, but nothing kills your focus like being tired. Don’t burn the candle at both ends.
