Natural Alternatives to Adderall

Jon Compson/Blaublut-Edition.com
Jon Compson/Blaublut-Edition.com

Try these 7 natural remedies to boost your energy and concentration.

By Steven Macari

One of the first questions I commonly ask my clients is what, if any, prescription medications they are taking. Certain medications can deplete nutrients in the body and cause some major changes in your biochemistry. When constructing a nutrition and health program, it is critical to have this information. In recent months there has been a noted increase in the number of people who have told me they are taking Adderall. Adderall is a prescription amphetamine medication commonly used to treat ADD and ADHD. Anecdotally, it appears that Adderall use also appears to be the drug of choice for students, stressed-out mothers and many in corporate America as a means to increase concentration and boost performance. Like many amphetamine drugs, when used incorrectly, it can be highly addictive. Below are several natural ways to gain focus and energy, sans medication.

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1) Eat Protein-Amino acids, found in protein, are used to make the neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) that make you feel calm, focused, excited or anywhere in between. To optimize neurotransmitter function, eat foods that contain a full spectrum of amino acids: these includes fish, beef, poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt. Supplementation is also an option-amino acids such as Tyrosine and Phenylalanine can be beneficial, but please talk with a health professional before incorporating this or any other supplements into your health regimen.

2) Optimize Digestion-Heal your digestive system or "your gut." A large percentage of the neurotransmitters we discussed above are produced in your gut (up to 80%). If you are eating protein but are not able to break it down properly, you will not get any benefit. Optimize your digestion and you will optimize production and uptake of these important hormones. True gut healing can take months to years, however, you can do a few simple things to get started. Avoid foods that commonly irritate the digestive system (wheat, corn, soy), take a digestive enzyme supplement, start your meal with something bitter (swedish bitters, dandelion, arugula, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar), consume lots of gelatin-rich foods (Bone broth or gelatin supplements), and chew your food thoroughly.

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3) Stress Management-This might be the most critical point on this list. Daily stress management is essential to balancing the body and mind. You don't have to meditate for three hours a day, either. Block out 10-15 minutes in your calendar. No email, electronics, etc. Pick an activity that you enjoy but that does not stress the body: reading, drawing, painting, juggling, playing an instrument, Tai chi, Qigong, light yoga/stretching, or a walk in a park are all great examples. While activities like running and lifting weights may take your mind of things, they are catabolic, meaning they are breaking down your body and they are actually stressors. The goal of a stress management exercise is to put the body in a tissue-building state (an anabolic state). The effects are cumulative, so commit to a 30-day period where you will do this every day. You will be amazed at how relaxed yet sharp you feel.

4) Heal your Adrenals/Slow down-One of the first signs of adrenal gland insufficiency is poor mental recall. If you just don't remember things like you used to or you can't focus for long (or short) periods of time, it might just be your adrenals (not the fact that you are getting older). In your 20s you can work hard, play hard and bounce back the next day no problem. This is mainly because of your adrenal glands. They produce a powerful class of hormones (glucocorticoids) that give you energy and keep you feeling good and operating at a high level. I like to call this "false energy" because your adrenals are working overtime to help you recover and function. At some point the adrenals will get burned out and you start needing more coffee, your sleep is less restful, you start getting sick more often, and your friends might think you can't hang anymore. The first step to nurturing your adrenals is sleep. Make sure you are getting 8 hours of sleep. The next step is reducing any stressors-both internal and external. Start eating higher quality food, drink alcohol two nights a week instead of four, have two drinks instead of five...you get the point. Also daily stress management per item three is critical.

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5) Coffee-It is called the writers' drug for a reason. We all know the deal with coffee-it can make you feel alert and focused but it keeps you coming back for more. The type of coffee you drink and what you put in it is critical to get a boost but without the crash. One, drink organic coffee-it is one of the most contaminated crops out there. Two, drink an espresso or Americano, as there is less caffeine and less acidity. Three, add some fat to your coffee or consume fat with your coffee (add butter, coconut oil, or heavy cream to your coffee or have nuts, avocado, a scoop of coconut oil or nut butter on the side). The fat ties up the caffeine and turns your coffee into a time-released product. This is commonly known as "bulletproof coffee." I don't encourage coffee in place of a meal, but the addition of fat can have a nice effect.

6) Cacao-Raw cacao can be extremely stimulating to the brain and will help foster creativity and focus. Like coffee, be careful not to consume it too close to bed time and be sure not to have more than few silver dollar-sized pieces. For my first experience with 100% Raw Cacao, I ate an entire bar at 10pm-I was up until 4am, but I had a list of new business ideas and a few interesting drawings by the morning.

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7) Fish Oil and Fat-Fish Oil has such a profound impact on the brain-it is routinely used in the treatment of a variety of mood disorders. The key with fish oil is finding a high-quality brand and using a dosage that is right for your bodyweight and goals. The fats in fish oil can go rancid during processing and in your body (if taken in the wrong quantities), so it is critical to get the above variables correct. Fats in general are great for the brain. Consume a lot of high-quality fats from both plant and animal sources. Nuts, seeds, avocado, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, ghee and olive oil are excellent options.

Steven Macari is a nutritionist and the founder of SLVRBK Health and the SLVRBK mat.


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