Find the best Adderall alternatives for cognition and ADHD management. Explore various options, their benefits, and find the best fit for your needs.
Looking for medication alternatives to Adderall can be rather overwhelming – even worrying. But although it’s important you get it right based on your own medical background, it could be simpler than you think. But as always, consult a medical professional before consuming any new medication or supplementation.
Whether you suffer with the negatives of having ADHD (because there sure are some positives, too!) or simply struggle with focus and attention, finding a natural ailment can really help.
As many adults with ADHD will know, there are plenty of non-stimulant and stimulant medications available. Adderall is a well-known prescription drug used to treat symptoms of ADHD in children and adults.
But what if you don’t want to take Adderall, or any other stimulant ADHD medication? Maybe you’re tired of the side effects it gives you, and you want to find something natural and perhaps with less risk attached. Maybe you want an effective alternative with a more suitable dosing schedule.
There is also a huge shortage of Adderall. Obtaining prescribed medication for ADHD is becoming increasingly difficult, leaving many patients left with nothing at all to help. No wonder so many people are looking for an alternative.
Thankfully, Adderall isn’t your only option. Here we help you search for alternatives, and why they could be your best solution to your problem.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a stimulant medication that can improve our brains’ ability to focus and remain attentive. This is why it’s often used as a way to treat ADHD, which is a common neurodevelopmental condition. If you’ve got Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it often means you have lower levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters in the brain.
Adderall contains two stimulants called amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which increase these levels and ultimately improve our attention span, alertness and focus.
This is an excellent result for those of us with ADHD who really suffer in these areas. However, as a result of its efficacy in treating ADHD symptoms, some people can begin to feel burnt out and exhausted from mental overload, and also suffer headaches and even loss of appetite.
Why People Look For Prescription Alternatives
As we’ve seen, Adderall may have a significantly positive impact on our brains’ cognitive skills, especially for someone with ADHD. So why are more and more people turning away from prescriptive medications? If you get that signed permission slip to say you can have one of the most effective solutions out there, then why look for something else?
First, I must clarify that you should always follow the advice of your doctor. They know your unique medical history and severity of ADHD symptoms, and can ensure that any medication or supplement is suitable for you personally, and that you’re managing your ADHD correctly.
If you’re suffering from the side effects of Adderall, then it’s a very good idea to talk to your doctor about this, too – it’s a very common reason people look for something similar to Adderall with a less synthesized profile.
As well as headaches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, other common symptoms from Adderall include anxiety, a dry mouth, and even insomnia or an increased heart rate. You may also experience a negative change in your sex drive or sexual performance.
None of these things will make you feel great, so it’s really important you and your doctor weigh up the pros and cons of taking a stimulant medication. There is also the risk of dependency to consider, and another reason people look for available alternatives.
On the other end of the scale, some of us looking at Adderall do not have ADHD – we’ve simply done our research and have read how effective it can be for our focus and attention. You may be a CEO, or a student, a surgeon, a nurse, or a construction worker looking for a solution to mentally sustain high concentration levels.
Of course, this wouldn’t get you a subscription unless you’re diagnosed with ADHD – so what’s the closest alternative?
These are the biggest reasons people look for ADHD medication alternatives – they want a cognitive enhancer without the need for prescription, and without the side effects, interactions with other meds, and potential health risks. They want a natural way to help their brains go up a gear.
Here’s the good news – it is possible. Again, I strongly advise you speak with your own doctor first, especially if you already have a prescription or medical condition. I am simply going to show you that there are over-the-counter Adderall alternatives that might just be what you were looking for.
Natural Alternatives for Focus, Concentration, And Managing ADHD
Let’s look at some natural alternatives and how the compare to the effects of prescriptive drugs.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is considered a living fossil from East Asia, and is believed to improve our focus and attention by improving blood flow to the brain, protecting nerve cells, and acting as an antioxidant, thus promoting focus and memory. There is some research that says Ginkgo may boost cognitive speed and memory in healthy people; however, there isn’t much solid scientific evidence on this yet.
This may interact with other medications (such as blood thinners), so always consult your physician first.
L-Theanine & Caffeine
When I study nootropics (a passion of mine, which you’ll know if you’re a regular visitor of SOMA Analytics), I often see caffeine and L-Theanine together.
This is because they’re a marvellous combo that create a perfect balance in calm energy.
Caffeine alone can cause jitters, so the L-Theanine holds its hand and calms it down without causing fatigue. It’s the dream duo.
And there’s plenty of science to back it, too. A study published in Nature Scientific Reports, for example, proved that attention span can indeed be sustained much longer with these two together, by decreasing mind-wandering, improving mental functioning, and improving performance on visual tasks, all within the first two hours of consuming them together.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids play a huge role in the functioning and health of our brains. It’s been proven that particularly EPA and DHA fatty acids can improve learning and memory, improve attention span and concentration, and even support brain structure and function and prevent it from decline, by protecting brain cells from damage.
An entirely natural solution and wonder.
Bacopa Monnieri
Multiple clinical studies indicate that Bacopa Monnieri can improve various aspects of focus and concentration, including information processing speed, working memory, and attention.
Bacopa Monnieri has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, and more recently we’re learning more and more that it really does play a part in helping our brains process information faster, sustain attention, and hold information for longer. We could do with more evidence on this, but it’s certainly building and tipping the scales well and truly in Bacopa Monnieri’s favor.
Therapy
This is only and specifically for individuals with ADHD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) holds indispensable value as an alternative treatment option. It actively helps you challenge typical negative patterns and behaviors, and gives you the coping mechanisms and strategies to manage your symptoms effectively.
This option isn’t an immediate fix, and is only an effective alternative if you’re willing to learn. However, with your patience, effort and commitment, you could make significant improvements that last. It might not be the fastest route, but significant lasting changes inevitably follow with your input. As always, speak to your doctor about this if you have ADHD and are yet to discuss therapy in your treatment plan.
Over-the-Counter Nootropic Supplements
Barring the therapy I’ve mentioned, all the above ADHD medication alternatives can be found in natural supplements called nootropics, or you may have heard them referred to as smart drugs.
The best smart drugs are designed with a formula that combines such natural ingredients together to help your brain work in its very best state. I use them myself, and have done for years, for the clear improvements I experience in my mental energy, clarity, focus, and concentration.
Some of the best nootropics even work towards preventing cognitive decline, and keeping your brain healthy – all with the use of natural ingredients, or extracts of them. You can buy them over the counter, you do not need a prescription for them, and they have minimal reported side effects thanks to their all-natural design.
Best Adderall Medication Alternatives – Nootropic Supplements
I know my nootropics inside out, and have used them personally and professionally for years. I’ve reviewed all the newest as well as the longest-standing, and discovered some sensational formulas. Granted, they’re not marketed as a natural alternative to Adderall specifically, nor as treatment for ADHD – but their ingredients conjure some real results in cognitive improvement, as I’ve seen myself.
Here are my top picks, tried and tested:
Vyvamind
The Closest Natural Alternative To Adderall
Vyvamind scores highly as a nootropic in its own right, but is also scientifically the closest to Adderall. It’s the closest you’re going to get to the prescription medication form, but this is available over the counter, is entirely natural, and therefore has minimal side effects.
It’s formulated with Citicoline, Caffeine, Theanine, Tyrosine, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6. We’ve seen how Caffeine and L-Theanine can be hugely beneficial to our brains.
Citicoline is a very helpful compound that increases the production of acetylcholine, which is critical for our ability to learn and memorize. Tyrosine is amino acid that contributes towards our mental clarity, focus, and alertness, plus it can reduce the effects of stress on our bodies, too.
There is lots more to Vyvamind, but those are your biggest contributors to the success of this supplement.
NooCube
The Best Nootropic
Personally, this is my favorite nootropic. I supplement with it all the time, as I see a massive improvement in my overall cognitive functioning whenever I take it.
It hasn’t got caffeine, but has got a number of the best nootropic ingredients going, and all optimally dosed. I’m talking Bacopa Monnieri, L-Tyrosine, and L-Theanine, plus lots of other really helpful inclusions that play a key pa
Lutemax 2020 is patented form of marigold flower extract, and provides lots of cognitive support including improved attention span and focus, reduced mental fatigue and stress, and improved memory and processing speed.
NooCube used to contain Oat Straw Extract, but as it contains gluten they replaced it with Panax Ginseng.
This is a medicinal herb that is great for cognitive enhancement, regulating stress and mood, and reducing mental fatigue. It also has neuroprotective benefits, and protects against cognitive decline, too.
Pterostilbene is a compound that naturally occurs and is often found in blueberries. It’s used here for its potent antioxidant content, and gives us lots of cognitive advantages including improved blood flow and reduced inflammation. Reserveratol is also an anti-inflammatory (found in red wine), and slows down the brain’s aging process.
Cat’s Claw is a super nutrient that helps rid us of brain fog, and is found in the Amazon rainforest, while D-Biotin (vitamin B7) is a plant-based form of Biotin and loved by the brain – those of us low on it tend to have poorer memories and learning skills.
That’s NooCube explained briefly, but ultimately it’s an incredible nootropic with a natural formula that could be a perfect option for anyone seeking adderall alternatives.
Nooceptin
A Long-Term Cognitive Enhancer
Nooceptin is another non-stimulant ADHD medication – well, it’s not specifically for people with ADHD, it’s just another smart and effective nootropic that contains carefully selected ingredients that’ll work on your brain’s function and health for the long term.
I won’t go all in on each ingredient, as you can find all these in my Nooceptin review when I trialed it myself. But its advanced formula includes Ginkgo Biloba, Bacopa Monnieri, Panax Ginseng, L-Theanine, Citicoline, and Rhodiola Rosea.
We’ve seen most of these already as common alternatives, and they’re building a wealth of evidence in favor of their ability to improve our cognitive function, focus and memory, and reduce our stress and anxiety levels too.
It’s also free from gluten and GMOs, and other nasty fillers/additives, making it much kinder to the body compared to stimulant medications.
Safety Considerations for Over-the-counter Adderall Alternatives
Medications like Adderall are prescription-only for a reason. However, with natural Adderall alternatives like nootropics being easily accessible over the counter, it’s really important you know what you’re buying, especially when you’re replacing stimulant medications prescribed for ADHD specifically. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: speak with your doctor first.
Drugs for ADHD such as Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Strattera, Intuniv, and Kapvay are under strict restrictions, and will only be prescribed if necessary – so the decision to come off them must be a professional one.
Over-the-counter options are less regulated than prescription drugs, and don’t require FDA approval, nor are they directed at treating ADHD or narcolepsy.
However, they are deemed safe to use, as they’re generally completely natural. Of course, some supplements are better than others, and we also have our own unique tolerances and thresholds. You’ll get some really good manufacturers that have poured hours upon hours of expertise and clinical studies into their formula, while others are out there to make a quick buck.
The suggestions I’ve made above are all solid choices, NooCube being my personal favorite, though I’d happily use them all (and have done). The ingredients I’ve mentioned above are also very good indications that you’re onto a good thing.
I’d recommend checking out genuine reviews if you’re not sure (we’ve trialed and tested most of the worst and best nootropics out there), again, speak with your physician, especially if you want to compare Adderall to it. Also, only ever purchase from the official website, or via verified Amazon links to ensure you’re getting the official product.
Conclusion: The Best Adderall Alternatives OTC
Considering effective over-the-counter alternatives to Adderall takes a lot of care. If you have ADHD, then it’s likely you’d have been prescribed Adderall first as treatment for ADHD management – coming off it and replacing with natural alternatives may or may not be a positive change for you, and are not FDA-approved for ADHD treatment.
Always be cautious and consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment regime. For treatment of ADHD in adults, speak with your doctor – he or she will be able to advise you professionally.
And don’t overlook the importance of cognitive-behavioral therapy – it can be a crucial component in managing ADHD symptoms. Mention this option to your doctor if it hasn’t yet been considered.
However, if you’re here simply to find something that works similarly to Adderall for its cognitive benefits, then the nootropics I’ve mentioned could be very effective Adderall alternatives. They’re easy to buy with no need for a prescription, they have minimal or zero side effects thanks to their natural profile, and you will likely see improvements in your ability to focus, think calmly, stay attentive, learn, and recall information.
Some even contribute towards a healthier, younger brain. It’s about finding the right balance between efficacy and safety. Check out the nootropics I’ve reviewed and recommended, and seek professional advice.
Sources:
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/supplement-guide-ginkgo-biloba
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-70037-7
- https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article/24/11/3059/304487