Best Nootropics For ADHD

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder) is a condition associated with impaired executive function, working memory, and attention within the brain.

Executive function and working memory allow you to properly regulate your attention span, keep note of and monitor your actions, plan your future and organize yourself, maintain appropriate behavior patterns and thought processes, keep track of time, and regulate your emotions.

If you struggle with any of these, you may have some kind of attention impairment. You may be suffering with ADHD. You should consult with your healthcare provider, who will be able to arrange for the appropriate assessments and treatment plans to be carried out.

ADHD is generally treated with some form of stimulant. Common stimulant-style medicines include the likes of Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, and many more. These will allow you to focus, undoing many of the symptoms you are experiencing.

However, there is another range of drugs that may be able to help you, either in lieu (in mild cases of ADD) or in concert with these stimulants (in middling to severe cases).

I am, of course, talking about nootropics, sometimes referred to as ‘smart drugs’.

Nootropics are designed to improve cognitive health, energy, and focus, improve working memory, and, in general, boost pretty much all of the factors that make up executive function.

Although nootropics are not designed specifically for people with ADHD, they can keep you on track mentally, cognitively, and emotionally – giving you the tools you need to overcome your ADHD and live your best life.

There are plenty of nootropics out there, however. Some are great. Many aren’t. Some are perfect for most people, some are better geared towards those suffering with ADHD symptoms.

I’ve collected some of my favorite nootropics for ADHD below – these are all natural supplements that should help anybody suffering with ADHD to focus and function as they would like to.

[Full disclosure – I don’t personally suffer with ADHD, but a close member of my family does, and I’ve had plenty of long conversations with them about nootropics and what they need out of their supplementation.]

Our Top Nootropics For ADHD

Let’s take a look at some of the best nootropics for ADHD that I have come across from my research over the last 12 months or so…

Mind Vitality Focus

Mind Vitality Focus is a relative newcomer to the field and as the name suggests it has a big emphasis on improving focus. Not only that, but it has one of the most all-encompassing ingredient profiles of any nootropic supplement on the market today.

It’s made shockwaves through the industry as it competes with the likes of Noocube and the potent Hunter Focus (2nd and 3rd on our list, but more specifically when it comes to alleviating many of the symptoms of ADHD – it looks to be a winner.

Of course, the marketing is snazzy and reads well (and I’ll go into that in more detail in a moment), but it’s the impact it has for its users in the real world that gives it such high acclaim.

Whereas some nootropics focus on memory (which is often hard to quantify and judge efficacy on), instead, Mind Vitality Focus zones in on stress, brain focus and cognitive function – all areas that are ideal for anyone with symptoms associated with ADHD.

Let’s talk about stress first – the marketing describes Mind Vitality Focus as having a ‘Kill Switch’.

Essentially, it makes use of Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, Phosphatidylserine and Korean Ginseng, which all help to lower cortisol levels while boosting a calm and focused energy. Phosphatidylserine and Ashwagandha are two inclusions that are particularly noteworthy here.

Then we move onto its ‘Brain Focus Matrix‘, which includes Bacopa Monnieri, Ginkgo Biloba, Mucuna Extract and Pine Extract.

Between them, these natural ingredients help improve blood flow, can elevate mood and motivation, and also have some positive impact on memory – although the latter is always a contentious one.

Then we move on to the ‘Cognition Activators‘ – these assist with high-pressure tasks as they light up the prefrontal cortex, which allows you to focus on those tasks at hand. This is mainly thanks to the N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine and Huperzia Serrata that’s included.

Each serving is 3 capsules, best taken in the morning (either with breakfast or lunch). Crucially, there is no caffeine in Mind Vitality Focus – although if you feel you benefit from caffeine then you can drink your coffee or tea (or even supplement) with it if you wish.

Everything is dosed well – and backed by clinical studies. When I have used Mind Vitality Focus I have felt the impact after days rather than weeks, and it really does help me to produce my best work without having any negative impact on sleep or relaxation.

At this moment in time, Mind Vitality Focus is likely the best all-in-one nootropic for ADHD, and to feel the full benefit I’d suggest trying it for at least 3 months (with the support of your healthcare provider) to really find out if it is for you.

They offer a 100-day money back guarantee, so opting for a 3- or 6-month package is pretty much risk free. If for some reason it doesn’t seem to be working for you, simply send it back after 90 days or so.

NooCube

NooCube is amongst my favorite supplements. It’s generally my go-to nootropic, being both reasonably priced, well thought out, and potently dosed. It is the one I would go in with my own money and buy every time. (I’ve generally got a stash in my kitchen cupboard for help meeting hard deadlines!)

It can help you focus and provide clarity quite magnificently, giving you a clearer head, more energy, and often a far more positive outlook on life (which many of us could sorely use).

All in all, it can help you to be more productive for less effort, or a lot more productive for the same amount of effort, whilst helping you to stay organized and on top of things.

One of the main concerns with ADHD is an inability to marshal, organize, and control your thoughts. Individual strands of thought are fleeting and elusive.

ou may feel like you’re being bombarded with stimuli, both internal and external, as your brain struggles to deal with it all. As a result – stress, anxiety, and an inability to perform simple tasks all flourish.

NooCube will help you here. It will give you a bit more control over your thoughts, allowing you to focus where you need or want to, and to relegate lower-priority thoughts and tasks until later.

All of NooCube’s ingredients are intelligent inclusions, each with their own roles to play. They are all safe and natural, with no noted side effects associated with them.

NooCube contains Bacopa Monnieri and Choline, which are the two real heavy-hitters in its recipe.

Bacopa Monnieri is a botanical known for improving nerve signal reception. This, in turn, leads to enhanced cognition, improved reaction times, and greater working memory.

Choline, meanwhile, enhances the production of acetylcholine within your body. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning. NooCube use an upgraded form of this called VitoCholine, which enables immediate absorption into our systems.

And this ingredient actually replaced Alpha GPC in NooCube’s formula – which did the same job, but is soy derived. This considerate and intelligent switch-up means NooCube is much more bioavailable and also free of allergens here.

Next up we have L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine, both of which should have quite profound effects on your mental health.

L-Theanine gives your mood a good boost, aiding dopamine and serotonin release in your brain. This will also help to improve your attention span whilst giving you better reaction times.

L-Tyrosine, meanwhile, diminishes the effects of stress whilst mitigating those of fatigue.

Then there are some more botanicals. We have Lutemax® 2020, which is an award-winning blend that works on verbal memory, processing speed, focus, and even how our bodies cope with stress.

Panax Ginsing stepped in from Oat Straw Extract, to expel gluten from the formula. Panax Ginseng works to reduce our stress hormones and improve our working memory.

The common berry polyphenols Resveratrol and Pterostilbene are superb antioxidants in this formula, and should protect your brain from long-term oxidative stress, slowing down age-related cognitive decline.

All these fantastic ingredients are complimented with a good vitamin B complex as well as a common nootropic addition, Cat’s Claw.

All told, this formula should keep you alert and focused, in good cognitive health, with enhanced cognitive ability.

NooCube’s official website offers a 60-day money back guarantee, and they usually have some decent multi-buy discounts going. For anyone looking for a good-quality, natural nootropic for ADHD, then Noocube really is a great option.

With NooCube’s confident guarantee thrown in on top, there is little to lose and quite a significant amount to gain by trying it.

Hunter Focus 

NooCube and Mind Vitality Focus may be experts at what they do, but they are a long way from dominating the market. There are plenty of heavyweight contenders out there. I also personally really value Hunter Focus, which packs a real punch.

You get a wide, wide range of ingredients with Hunter Focus, all designed to work in concert to give you a fantastic nootropic supplement that should help to mitigate even the worst of ADHD symptoms.

All in all, Hunter Focus contains 20 active ingredients, all split across three distinct complexes: Concentration Activation, Memory Matrix, and Mood Amplification.

Obviously, the former two will be of great benefit to anybody suffering with ADHD symptoms. The latter is useful too though, as depression, anxiety and ADHD often go hand in hand.

The Concentration Activation formula relies largely on Citicoline, which you will often find in a lot of nootropics. Citicoline is a naturally-occurring chemical in the brain.

However, we often don’t make as much as we can use, meaning there is usually a slight deficit. Including exogenous Citicoline through supplementation plugs this gap, aiding brain function.

You also get both L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine in the Concentration Activation formula, both of whose benefits on mood and cognition we have already seen.

The Memory Complex is just as important to anyone suffering with ADHD. It supports both working and long-term memory.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom forms the Memory Complex’s cornerstone. I always like to see it in nootropic recipes. It contains erinacines and hericenones, which are known for supporting optimal cognition and long-lasting brain health.

Each causes the brain to produce more nerve growth factor (NGF). As you might guess from its name, NGF aids in repair and maintenance of the brain’s nerves and neurological pathways, leading to improved memory function.

The Memory Complex also uses Maritime Pine Bark, another ingredient that’s always good to see. The Maritime Pine Bark it uses is standardized with 95% proanthocyanidins, which means that it is extremely good quality.

Maritime Pine Bark is one of the most completely scientifically backed nootropics on the market. It has been shown to improve cognitive ability and brain function, with marked benefits for concentration, by improving blood flow to the brain.

This means more glucose and oxygen going where it is needed. Obviously, this makes it a great ally for anybody suffering with ADHD symptoms. The Memory Matrix also uses Bacopa Monnieri.

The Mood Amplification, finally, rests on Phosphatidylserine (PS) and Ashwagandha. Together, they bring about a potent nootropic effect. PS is known for its ability to support the repair and renewal of neurons by boosting levels of NGF. Ashwagandha is one of the best stress busters going, whilst also being responsible for lifting Choline levels, and thus mood, recall and motivation.

All in all, Hunter Focus is one of the best nootropics for ADHD that I have come across, in no small part because of the high dosages you get with each serving. This does come at a premium, but its impact on sufferers of ADHD can make it an investment.

Vyvamind

Vyvamind is another excellent all-natural supplement that can help alleviate the symptoms associated with ADHD.

Although it is not specifically designed for those who suffer with ADHD, they do make a point of stating on their website that it can be beneficial to those with short attention spans.

It makes use of ingredients we will see across a number of these nootropic supplements (which is a good thing in our book), and although the profile doesn’t hit quite as punchily as what we see in Hunter Focus and Noocube, it is still a very formidable lineup of ingredients.

First off, we see the big-hitting B vitamins of B6 and B12 with 2.5mg and 50mcg respectively per serving.

We then see L-Tryosine, L-Theanine and Citicoline, which we are seeing a lot of for their significant benefits in terms of cognitive processing and concentration.

We also get a decent dose of Caffeine Anhydrous. This is the only contentious ingredient in this supplement when it comes to ADHD as some might see this as counter-intuitive; but in reality, this is actually one of the ingredients that most closely mimics the stimulants found in prescription ADHD drugs. So we see this as a real positive.

So why choose Vyvamind over the others? Well, to start with we really like the profile of ingredients – it’s easy to take and has no side effects for most people.

Secondly, the research behind Vyvamind is solid and they have gone to great lengths to find what they believe is the perfect mix of natural ingredients to elicit high levels of focus and increased motivation while providing a sense of calm and easing of anxiety – something that many people with ADHD will benefit from.

Finally, the price of Vyvamind is pretty reasonable when compared to similar supplements, with some excellent bulk buy deals to be had.

Like most of these supplements, taking them over time will bring about the best results. Vyvamind suggest committing to at least a 3-month supply, and this works out to around $55 per month.

All in all, we think the profile of Vyvamind is ideal for this use case scenario, and it has been well received by its users who have reported the exact benefits that we would expect to see.

Mind Lab Pro 

A large part of its benefits rests on Lion’s Mane Mushroom, which we’ve already come across.

It is amongst the best brain boosting supplements that money can buy, inspiring optimal production of NGF for long-lasting neural health and cognition. It will help to keep your brain young and healthy.

Mind Lab Pro also uses Citicoline, which we saw with Hunter Focus. It aids brain cell regeneration and optimal energy levels.

Mind Lab Pro backs this all up with Bacopa Monnieri, Phosphatidylserine, and a fantastically antioxidant-rich form of Maritime Pine Bark.

This is all as it should be – these are common ingredients in these kinds of high-end nootropic supplement. They will all help to maintain clarity and attention, reduce stress levels and the effects of anxiety, improve cognition and slow cognitive decline, and improve focus.

L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine are both generously dosed in Mind Lab Pro, further boosting attention, focus, and mental wellbeing.

It isn’t a carbon copy of Hunter Focus, however. There are a couple of things that make Mind Lab Pro pretty unique.

Firstly, it contains plenty of the potent herbal adaptogen Rhodiola Rosea, which by itself is a perfect supplement for overcoming the effects of ADHD. Rhodiola Rosea can mitigate the effects of stress, and also directly lead to benefits in mental processing, learning, long and short term memory, and working memory.

Mind Lab Pro rounds things out with a very good vitamin B complex. It’s made up of healthy amounts of vitamins B6, B9, and B12, all of which are vital in maintaining peak cognitive processing. They should slow down age-related cognitive decline, too, whilst improving short-term cognitive performance and keeping your mood steady.

It’s a perfect all-rounder for anybody suffering with ADHD.

CentraPeak

Most supplements work as well for men and women alike. Though aggressive marketing campaigns can make them seem more appropriate for one or the other, each can usually benefit. 

However, when it comes to supplements like CentraPeak, there is a definite reason for men to take more note. It is a bit of an unusual nootropic, and one that I value hugely: it supports healthy cognition alongside optimal testosterone levels.

Optimizing testosterone is one of the most profoundly beneficial things that any man can do for their physical and mental wellbeing.

Symptoms of low testosterone levels include a lack of attention, foggy headedness, low energy, low drive, lethargy, anxiety, stress, and depression.

In fact, low testosterone levels can result in many of the same symptoms as ADHD. Optimizing your levels will therefore be crucial. High levels can undo many of the symptoms which cause many men to reach for nootropics.

Spiking testosterone levels to a natural optimum can therefore do all the work you need a nootropic to do.

There are plenty of supplements out there for improving natural testosterone output. However, there are few (if any) that also work as potent nootropics. The combination is not to be sniffed at. 

CentraPeak uses many of the same ingredients we have already seen, including plenty of the natural botanicals like Phosphatidylserine and Rhodiola Rosea. These should help to improve focus and clarity, working as fantastic nootropics.

You get Ashwaganda in CentraPeak, too, which we have seen can mitigate the effects of stress and anxiety. It has also been linked to healthy testosterone production.

This is backed up by Korean Ginseng, which should help you to maintain a healthy sex drive with good circulation. Then there is Pine Bark Extract, and L-Theanine, which should all play a part in any good-quality nootropic supplement.

It introduces us to a couple of new ingredients, too. These are Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) and Mucuna Pruriens, which is velvet bean. Working together, these should inhibit estrogen production whilst allowing more free testosterone to remain uninhibited.

CentraPeak also makes use of several vitamins. The first is Vitamin D3. It is a precursor to testosterone, as a secosteroid hormone, which means that adequate levels are fundamental in creating optimal testosterone levels.

Plenty of men are Vitamin D deficient, so giving us a handy way to get a bit of extra in is always a good idea.

You will also find plenty of Vitamin B6 in CentraPeak, included as Pyridoxine HCL. This can help your brain in regulating estrogen production, which will naturally allow you to raise testosterone levels. It can also stimulate androgen production, which will also boost testosterone levels.

Then there is Vitamin K2. It is known to aid men’s health quite generally, playing crucial roles in testosterone output and bone health. It also aids cognition in its own right, maintaining long-term cognitive health against dementia and cognitive decline.

The superstars are the minerals included in CentraPeak’s formula, however.

Zinc Citrate is chief amongst these. It is vital for building and sustaining optimal testosterone levels. Boron is important, too, as it can boost levels of free testosterone whilst also aiding athleticism and physical performance.

It can also improve memory, both long-term and working, as well as aiding cognitive function, focus, and attention.

Finally, CentraPeak comes with a healthy dose of Magnesium. This too should aid in testosterone production, boosting levels of both free and total testosterone, and inhibiting testosterone binding by SHBG.

Everything is very bioavailable in CentraPeak due to its use of BioPerine®, standardized to minimum of 95% piperine. Piperine works as something of a catalyst, allowing your body to more efficiently absorb all of the ingredients contained in the CentraPeak formula.

Though it’s perhaps better where testosterone levels are a joint concern with ADHD, as a high-quality nootropic, anybody suffering with ADHD can benefit from taking CentraPeak. Where testosterone levels are in question, it is something of a must.

Prescription Drugs Over Nootropics for ADHD Treatment

I went into this a little at the beginning. However, I would like to underline where I stand on both prescription drugs and nootropics in treating ADHD symptoms.

If you suffer from some symptoms, but not enough, or not severely enough, for a diagnosis, you won’t be offered prescription drugs. However, you will likely still need some form of cognitive support. If you’re reading this article without a diagnosis, you probably still have some form of difficulty with attention or focus.

Nootropics are a very good option in this case. They will help you to build and maintain the cognitive ability you want.

However, if you have a diagnosis, a nootropic’s role will change slightly. It should play far more of a support role.

If your ADHD is mild, you may be able to overcome it through changes to lifestyle and diet, including supplementation. Nootropics may be enough for you.

If your ADHD is more than mild, you should be on prescription medication. Your healthcare provider will handle this. Listen to them. If they tell you to take Adderall, Ritalin, or anything similar, do so. They will monitor you to make sure that you are safe and that it is working.

However, you should consider using nootropics as a supplement to this medical regime. Talk to your doctor before taking any. They shouldn’t have any concerns, though. Nootropics will then act for you much like they act for anyone else: they will give you that last boost you need, built on top of a solid medical foundation, to perform at your best.

Nootropics and prescription drugs together will mean that, instead of simply overcoming the problem, you will be outthinking the average person by quite some way.

Verdict

I personally like Hunter Focus and NooCube a great deal – especially when looking to battle the effects of ADHD.

Hunter Focus might look a little better on paper. The three separate complexes are obviously very appealing. They are made from fantastic ingredients, all of which work together seemingly to give you all the support you could ever need.

However, the three complexes are proprietary. This means that you can see what is in each, but not how much of anything. The total complexes together are also a little lacking – some mixtures of several ingredients fall short of what you might expect of any single ingredient. This leads me to think that, clever as it is, it is dosed somewhat sub-optimally.

There is no such concern with Mind Vitality Focus. Everything is dosed as you need it to be, evidenced through its open, clear formula.

Mind Vitality Focus has always been one of the most effective, most potent, most elegantly put-together nootropics out there. It will support healthy cognition without breaking the bank. It includes everything it needs and nothing it shouldn’t. For the sake of just a couple of capsules per day, you will be on your way to cognitive excellence.

I think it represents a fantastic addition to any ADHD treatment plan.