We’ve all had times when it was difficult to focus and even more challenging to try to learn or remember facts. Imagine struggling with this every day.
For many people with ADHD or narcolepsy, this is a reality. The only way to deal with their condition is to use prescription medications like Adderall, which has a range of side effects and could even be addictive. This drug is often abused as a study pill, which can be dangerous.
Thankfully new types of smart drugs have been making waves with their ability to boost brain function and concentration. However, are nootropics really as effective as claimed, and what gives them their brain-enhancing abilities?
This article covers the natural alternatives to Adderall, what’s in them, how they work, and the best brands available.
Key Takeaways: Natural Adderall
- Adderall is a nervous system stimulant that helps boost brain speed and function.
- You can only buy Adderall with a doctor’s prescription.
- The prescription drug has a range of side effects and could be addictive.
- A natural alternative to Adderall is on the market and is known as nootropics.
- Nootropics contain all-natural ingredients, most are stimulant-free, and they cause minimal side effects compared to Adderall.
- Some of the best nootropic ingredients used in supplements include citicoline, phosphatidylserine, Bacopa monnieri, and ginkgo biloba.
- The best nootropic brands available include Mind Lab Pro, Performance Lab Nootropics, and NooCube.
- Each ingredient in nootropics is extensively researched for its brain-boosting ability.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is an amphetamine drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As a controlled substance, Adderall can only be prescribed by a medical professional like a doctor on the basis of an ADHD or narcolepsy diagnosis.
How Does Adderall Work?
Adderall acts as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It triggers the release of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which increase brain activity and performance.
These effects help reduce attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and can be used long-term, provided usage is supervised by a medical professional to reduce the chances of building tolerance or dependence on the drug.
Is Adderall Bad for You?
Although Adderall can be highly beneficial to human brain function, the drug has many side effects and could lead to Adderall abuse or addiction to stimulants.
For this reason, many people are looking for Adderall alternatives to avoid the risks associated with the drug.
Adderall Side Effects
Like all prescription drugs, Adderall has a range of side effects, including:
- Nervousness.
- Mood swings.
- Agitation.
- Headaches.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Tremors.
- Blurred vision.
- Dry mouth.
- Elevated heart rate.
- Heart palpitations.
- Diarrhoea or constipation.
Adderall Interactions
Adderall interacts with over 180 other drugs and could be dangerous if used together. Some of the most common Adderall interactions include drugs like:
- Tramadol.
- Prozac.
- Omeprazole.
Having an underlying medical condition could also affect your body’s reaction to Adderall and cause adverse effects that could be life-threatening. Some of these conditions include:
- Heart disease.
- Glaucoma.
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Liver disease.
Risks of Long-Term Adderall Use
One of the most serious long-term risks of Adderall use is its high potential for abuse and addiction. Adderall’s effect on your body’s dopamine production will eventually fade, meaning you may take more Adderall to get the same effect as before.
This is called tolerance and can quickly lead to physical dependence on the drug, causing you to experience withdrawal symptoms whenever you don’t regularly use it.
Adderall withdrawal symptoms include:
- Difficulty focusing.
- Fatigue.
- Depression.
- Lethargy.
Treatment for Adderall Addiction
Treatment for Adderall addiction typically includes a supervised detox where you quit Adderall cold turkey and go through withdrawal. Once your body exits withdrawal, treatment may involve counseling, therapy, and other inpatient or outpatient addiction programs.
Unlike opioids, there aren’t any well-proven drugs to help ease withdrawal symptoms, and it is simply something you will have to get through using OTC medicine for some of the withdrawal symptoms like headaches.
What Are Nootropics?
Nootropics, also known as smart pills, are a natural alternative to Adderall made with ingredients like herbs, essential vitamins, and minerals. Besides boosting cognitive function and concentration, nootropics also offer a range of health benefits, making them some of the best natural Adderall alternatives on the market.
Natural Alternatives to Adderall
Natural Adderall alternatives boost brain health while improving your focus and mental energy. Ingredients in some of the best nootropic supplements include:
- Methionine
- Huperzine A
- Alpha GPC
- Rhodiola rosea
- Citicoline
- Phosphatidylserine
- Maritime pine bark
- Bacopa monnieri
- L-tyrosine
- Mineral supplements
- Vitamin B6
- L-theanine
- GABA
- DHA complex
- Ginkgo biloba
- Pycnogenol
- Cat’s claw
- Lion’s mane mushroom
- Caffeine
Methionine
Methionine is one of many essential amino acids that our body uses to build proteins and other molecules necessary for survival. Methionine is also a powerful antioxidant that provides neuroprotective properties and can help improve brain function alongside other nootropic ingredients [1].
Methionine can benefit a lot of body tissues, including your hair and skin, as it forms part of the proteins that they are made of.
Huperzine A
Huperzine A is a compound extracted from a plant called Chinese club moss, often sold as a supplement for its neuroprotective properties [2].
As a nootropic, Huperzine A can boost your brain health and mental clarity by reducing brain inflammation and oxidative stress [3].
Other benefits of Huperzine A include:
- Memory enhancement.
- Improved learning abilities.
- Reduced symptoms of memory impairment [4].
- Increased alertness.
Best Huperzine A Nootropic
The best nootropic that contains Huperzine A is Brain Pill. It is an affordable, easy-to-use supplement that contains a range of nootropic and beneficial ingredients.
Alpha GPC
Alpha GPC is an ingredient in many Adderall alternatives as it stimulates the release of the acetylcholine neurotransmitter, which is responsible for enabling learning and memory [5].
Besides these benefits, Alpha GPC can also improve brain health and help boost your focus, which is an essential feature in Adderall alternatives.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea is a herb that grows in the cold regions of Europe and Asia. It offers a range of benefits to your brain health, including [6] [7]:
- Anti-stress effects.
- Anti-aging properties.
- Protection of brain cells.
- Improvement of learning and mental performance.
The herb can also help stabilize your mood by boosting dopamine release and, in many cases, act as a neuroprotective agent [8].
Rhodiola Rosea showed to reduce irritability significantly over the course of eight weeks, decreasing the score from 5.7 to 3.8
Best Rhodiola Rosea Nootropic
One of the best nootropics containing Rhodiola rosea is Mind Lab Pro, a universal Nootropic that benefits a range of cognitive functions.
Citicoline
Citicoline is sometimes also referred to as Cognizin and is a natural chemical often used to improve brain performance by treating age-related memory loss and helping ease the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Other benefits of citicoline include:
- Improving mental clarity by boosting blood flow to your brain.
- Increasing brain metabolism [8].
Best Citicoline Nootropic
Citicoline is one of the main ingredients in Mind Lab Pro, which is a powerful nootropic supplement that can help ease the symptoms of ADHD while benefiting your cognitive health.
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is a common ingredient in many natural supplements. The compound is used to produce the essential fatty acids necessary for cell membrane formation.
By playing such an integral role in the development of cells, phosphatidylserine can have a significant effect on:
- Brain cell energy production.
- The antioxidant activity in your body [9].
- Healthy nerve growth.
As all body cells have cell membranes, the compound could affect your overall health as well.
Best Phosphatidylserine Nootropic
Performance Lab Mind Nootropics contains phosphatidylserine and is a high-quality, affordable base nootropic that can boost your brain performance and health.
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa monnieri is arguably the most widely acclaimed natural remedy for treating cognitive diseases and improving the health of your brain. Also known as Brahmi, Bacopa was used in Ayurvedic medicine and today plays an essential role in any brain-enhancing supplement.
This is because Bacopa offers a range of significant benefits, including:
- Improving memory retention [10].
- Increasing brain energy levels.
- Acting as an antioxidant to rid your body of excess free radicals [11].
- Stimulating blood flow to the brain while reducing inflammation.
Bacopa monnieri proved to improve memory span in medical students for nonsense syllables
Best Bacopa Monnieri Nootropic
Two of the best nootropics available that contain Bacopa are Brain Pill and NooCube, both of which are made with unique formulae to ensure you get the most benefit from your use.
Compared to Adderall, these supplements have fewer side effects and minimal long-term risk.
L-Tyrosine
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that is produced by your body from another compound, phenylalanine. Tyrosine plays an important role in your cognitive functioning and health as it is essential for the production of enzymes and thyroid hormones in your body.
It is also required to synthesize epinephrine, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which means supplementation could help you improve your mental energy and physical performance.
As an Adderall alternative, however, L-tyrosine can enhance cognitive ability by:
- Increasing your memory retention and recall [12].
- Reducing mental stress and tension [13].
Best L-Tyrosine Nootropic
The best L-tyrosine nootropic we’ve reviewed is Performance Lab Mind. It offers improved focus, better learning capabilities, and heightened mental energy, with minimal side effects.
Mineral Supplements
Some of the best Adderall alternatives may also contain mineral supplements like zinc and iron, which can remedy any deficiencies in your body and lead to overall better brain health.
Zinc can also help improve cognitive clarity while offering mood stabilization and forms a component of many nootropic supplements [14].
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is an essential vitamin used by your body to maintain a healthy nervous system and metabolism.
The vitamin comprises three compounds, all of which are vitally important to cognitive function as they help regulate your mental acuity and mood [15].
Other benefits of vitamin B6 include:
- Boosting mood.
- Improving brain health.
- Easing the symptoms of anemia.
L-Theanine
One of the most common ingredients in Adderall alternatives is the amino acid L-theanine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and L-theanine is found in high concentrations in green and black tea.
As a nootropic, L-theanine can help improve your concentration and attention span, which is vital for people with ADHD and have difficulty focusing [16].
Other benefits of the amino acid include:
- Better sleep.
- Lower blood pressure.
Best L-Theanine Nootropic
One of the best nootropics that contain theanine is Alpha Brain, which can also help reduce other ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity and learning impairments. Compared to Adderall, Alpha Brain has mild to no side effects and can promote overall brain and body health.
GABA
GABA, also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter and naturally occurring amino acid that plays a vital role in cognitive performance and improving the health of the brain.
Not only does GABA act as a relaxant to help you calm down and focus better, but it could be beneficial for sleep quality, too [17].
GABA increased total sleeping time at different doses, though the highest dose had the biggest impact
DHA Complex
Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is an omega-3 fatty acid with a wide range of benefits for your body and brain health.
In nootropic Adderall alternatives, DHA complex can improve memory, recall, and overall brain functioning [18].
Additional benefits may include better heart health and vision.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is one of the most popular ingredients in any quality Adderall alternative. It provides an extensive range of benefits to your brain and cognitive abilities, including:
- Reducing the effects of cognitive decline.
- Improving blood flow to your brain.
- Boosting memory retention and recall.
- Possibly acting as an antioxidant and neuroprotective agent [19].
Best Ginkgo Biloba Nootropic
One of the best premium nootropics that contain ginkgo biloba is Qualia Mind, which has a formula made of 28 nootropic or beneficial ingredients and can significantly improve learning and focus with minimal side effects.
Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol is a compound made of several natural chemicals taken from the bark of European pine trees. It is the trade name for a well-known nootropic, maritime pine bark extract, which is commonly used to benefit brain health.
The extract has several characteristics to boost brain function, including:
- Working as a neuroprotective aid relieves oxidative stress and prevents damage to your brain cells [20].
- Acting as a powerful antioxidant that reduces the presence of free radicals in your body [21].
Best Maritime Pine Bark Extract Nootropic
One of the best nootropics that contains maritime pine bark extract is Performance Lab Nootropics, where it forms one of four core ingredients.
Cat’s Claw
Cat’s claw is a vine-like plant found in tropical regions that is often used to benefit brain functioning.
As a nootropic, the ingredient can help boost mental energy while reducing inflammation in your body and brain, acting as a neuroprotective agent [22].
Additional benefits include boosting your immune system and possibly easing the symptoms of arthritis.
Best Cat’s Claw Nootropic
One of the best nootropics containing cat’s claw is NooCube, well known for its unique ingredients and powerful brain-boosting benefits.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Lion’s mane is an ingredient found in many traditional Chinese medicines. It contains a range of active compounds and chemicals claimed to enhance cognitive function while improving memory and focus.
The compounds in the mushroom are also powerfully antioxidative and could be used to treat cognitive impairment [23].
Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the most commonly used natural stimulants and may be found in various nootropic supplements as caffeine anhydrous powder or green coffee bean extract.
As an Adderall alternative, caffeine may temporarily improve your ability to perform memory tasks. Still, this effect will soon wear off and leave you in need of more to be able to carry on with your work [24].
Besides these effects on your cognitive function, caffeine is well known to provide a temporary boost in your energy levels.
Adderall Alternatives: Brain Supplements
If you’re looking for Adderall alternatives to provide better cognitive function, the following nootropics contain only natural ingredients and cause mild to no side effects while providing many of the same benefits as Adderall.
The top three Adderall alternatives are:
- Mind Lab Pro
- Performance Lab Mind Nootropics
- NooCube
Mind Lab Pro
Mind Lab Pro is known as a Universal Nootropic that can improve cognitive performance across various brain functions. Its main ingredients include citicoline and Bacopa monnieri, which can enhance focus and offer similar effects to Adderall with nearly no side effects.
Price: $69.00 for a month’s supply.
Ingredients: 11 nootropic or beneficial ingredients.
Refund Policy: 60-day money-back guarantee.
Performance Lab Mind Nootropics
Performance Lab Mind does as its name states and significantly increases brain performance thanks to its range of natural nootropic ingredients. It is caffeine-free and vegan friendly and contains only four core nootropics, making it a high-quality, affordable supplement.
Price: $69.00 for a month’s supply.
Ingredients: Four nootropic or beneficial ingredients.
Refund Policy: 60-day money-back guarantee.
NooCube
NooCube also contains all-natural ingredients but differentiates itself with unique additions to its formula like cat’s claw and oat straw.
NooCube reviews say it’s a proven brain enhancer that can help boost mental clarity and focus.
Price: $59.99 for a month’s supply.
Ingredients: Seven nootropic or beneficial ingredients.
Refund Policy: Limited 60-day money-back guarantee.
Can OTC Alternatives Be Addictive?
Although natural Adderall alternatives like nootropics are significantly less likely to cause addiction, people can still develop tolerance and dependence on them, which is why many brands recommend cycling their products to reduce this possibility.
Cycling Nootropics
Cycling alternatives to Adderall like nootropics can help prevent tolerance while also maintaining the effectiveness of the supplement.
This typically requires using the supplement for two to four weeks, then taking a break for a week. Other ways to cycle include using the supplement only three to four days a week instead of daily.
FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Adderall alternatives.
Is OTC Adderall FDA-Approved?
No. Adderall alternatives like nootropics are dietary supplements and are not regulated by the FDA. Before using any nootropic supplement, you should discuss it with a medical professional.
What Can I Use Instead of Adderall?
There are many natural Adderall alternatives. However, the most effective are nootropic supplements like Mind Lab Pro or Performance Lab Mind.
What Is the Closest Over the Counter Drug to Adderall?
Only prescription medication can give the exact effect Adderall does. However, a herbal supplement or nootropic may offer similar benefits. Mind Lab Pro is the OTC nootropic that can provide the most similar effects to Adderall.
What Is a Natural Stimulant?
A natural stimulant is a compound like caffeine that can increase energy and brain activity while being sourced naturally.
What Is the Most Powerful Natural Stimulant?
The most potent natural stimulant is a herbal alternative to Adderall known as Bacopa monnieri. It is found in many nootropic supplements and can boost mental energy and improve focus with almost no side effects.
Can I Get Over the Counter Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription drug that can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription. However, other medications and natural Adderall alternative nootropics can provide similar effects.
Is It Possible to Make Adderall at Home?
Making Adderall at home is not only illegal but could be dangerous if you don’t have an advanced science degree. Instead, using natural options like nootropics can provide the same effect with minimal side effects and no need for a doctor’s prescription.
Conclusion
There are many natural alternatives available for Adderall. These herbal remedies can help prevent cognitive decline and boost your memory and focus without the side effects or potential for addiction caused by prolonged Adderall use.
They may not offer such powerful stimulant effects, but in the long-term, they are healthier and could benefit your brain health and performance even more.
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