Research on the impact of caffeine on individuals with ADHD is inconclusive. At this time, there is no evidence that caffeine is an effective alternative treatment to help manage ADHD symptoms. In fact, some research has shown that caffeine is associated with exacerbating ADHD symptoms.5
How Does Caffeine Affect The Body & Brain?
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, and when ingested, it is quickly absorbed into the blood and travels to the brain. Once there, it binds to adenosine receptors, increasing the number of neurotransmitters in the blood, such as dopamine and norepinephrine.2 The increase of these neurotransmitters makes a person feel energized and have renewed focus, energy, and ability to focus.
How Does Caffeine Affect People With ADHD?
Research regarding the effects of caffeine on ADHD individuals is not conclusive. Different studies have shown dramatically different results, ranging from caffeine being helpful, unhelpful, or entirely neutral. Caffeine has not been researched to be a more effective method than medication.6
Although the overall effect of caffeine is similar between ADHD and non-ADHD individuals, there are ways that caffeine may affect them differently. One study shows that caffeine improved memory recall in non-ADHD individuals compared to placebo, but in ADHD individuals, there was no increase in memory effectiveness from caffeine ingestion.2, 3
The ways caffeine can affect people with ADHD include:
- Reduces sleep: Caffeine can cause restlessness, exacerbate ADHD sleep problems, and increase irritability. Generally, these side effects are mild until caffeine levels reach 200 mg.3
- Reduced blood flow to the brain: Caffeine can reduce blood flow in the brain and may cause side effects like increased heart rate, insomnia, restlessness, or anxiety.
- Dehydration: Caffeine can cause dehydration, especially in people with ADHD. Research shows that caffeine can act as a diuretic, making you urinate more frequently and reducing the amount of water stored in your body.
- Increased anxiety: As we know, caffeine is a stimulant that increases alertness and energy. But for people with ADHD, too much caffeine can have the opposite effect of alertness and increase anxiety symptoms.
- Stimulating the body: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increasing the production of adrenaline and dopamine. These two hormones help to improve your mood, which can indirectly reduce symptoms of ADHD.
- Stomach issues: Caffeine can cause stomach issues for people with ADHD due to how your body reacts. Caffeine can produce gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Can Caffeine Help ADHD?
Some research has demonstrated that caffeine may help to decrease ADHD symptoms. Caffeine can improve attention, and may help people with ADHD to hyperfixate. Additionally, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increasing the production of adrenaline and dopamine. These two hormones help to improve mood, which can indirectly reduce symptoms of ADHD.3
Using Caffeine for Concentration
Some studies have found that caffeine may help people with ADHD to concentrate.4 Caffeine is a stimulant that increases blood flow to the brain, which then increases alertness and makes it easier to focus on tasks without distractions.3 However, having caffeine too late can cause insomnia, worsening a person with ADHD’s ability to focus.5
Possible Risk Of Using Caffeine
Some studies have found that individuals with ADHD are more prone to caffeine addiction and tolerance.1 There is also some evidence that the symptoms associated with caffeine withdrawal may be more intense for those with ADHD than for neurotypical individuals.1 Additionally, too much caffeine can lead to adverse side effects like irritability, restlessness, and heart palpitations.
How Much Caffeine Is Safe?
In most cases, it is safe for individuals with ADHD to consume around 400 mg of caffeine daily.3 The best time to consume caffeine is in the morning because it allows your body to adjust faster than during the evening. Caffeine levels peak around 60 minutes following consumption; however, it takes about 5 hours for half of the caffeine consumed to clear from your body.
Caffeine impacts everyone differently, making developing safety consumption guidelines challenging. For example, the same amount of caffeine that can be harmful to a pregnant person and may be correlated to miscarriage would not be a risk to someone who is not pregnant.4
Caffeine & ADHD Medications
Caffeine has been shown to affect both stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications. Caffeine may increase the efficacy of ADHD medications and stabilizes the user’s mood and behavior.6 However, caffeine may also negatively interact with ADHD medications if the user has underlying health issues or takes too much. Using any combination needs to be done with monitoring and consultation from your prescribing physician.
Can Caffeine Be Used As An Alternative To ADHD Medications?
Caffeine is not an effective alternative to ADHD medications.6, 7 Although caffeine may have some impacts on ADHD symptoms its effects can vary based on the severity of the individual’s ADHD and the dosage consumed. Individuals with more severe ADHD symptoms will likely need ADHD medication to increase focus or concentration.
When to Seek Professional Support for ADHD
It may be time to seek support if you repeatedly reach for a caffeinated drink because you cannot focus. ADHD symptoms in adults can be debilitating; however, with help from a neurodiverse-affirming therapist, you can achieve success and take back your life. Online therapy platforms are an excellent way to find a therapist who specializes in ADHD treatment. Online directories are excellent for finding treatment centers or clinics near you.
In My Experience
It’s important for people to get to know their bodies, their symptoms, and how ADHD impacts them. You’ll find the right combination for you by doing that and working with a therapist, psychiatrist, and your support systems. Although alternatives to medication may be a route you’d like to explore, it’s important to know the impacts, effectiveness and research behind the interventions you’re engaging in. Try to live within your experience and be open to finding what works for you based on your needs. It’s a journey for everyone, and it is crucial to be open to your needs and impacts changing over time as well.
How Does Caffeine Affect ADHD? Infographics
