60
3.3
38
Trying to find a suitable natural Adderall alternative for yourself or your child to use without a prescription?
Adderall is a pharmaceutical drug that has been used for treating conditions like ADHD and even narcolepsy.
It is increasingly being sought out as a “smart drug” and taken for off-label purposes by students and other people in high-pressure environments. These individuals often do not have legitimate prescriptions and buy the drug in other countries where it is available over the counter or from their friends.
However, it is important to remember that this substance is classified as a drug and a controlled substance in the USA. In other words, you will need a prescription to obtain and use Adderall XR legally and you should be under doctor’s supervision when taking it. This is because Adderall has a serious tolerance profile along with the very real possibility of developing an addiction.
- Focus longer, clear brain fog & feel more motivated
- Boost energy, alertnes & memory
- Contains 12 safe and natural nootropic ingredients
Are there Natural Adderall Replacements?
Related Topics
- Adderall Review
- Adderall Alternatives
- Ampheta S/Combo
- Smart Drugs
- Nootropics for ADHD
- Best ADHD Supplements
- Natural ADHD Treatments
- Vitamins for ADHD
- Improving Attention Span
- Ritalin
- Cylert
- Pemoline
- Modafinil vs. Adderall
- Nuvigil vs. Adderall
- 5-HTP and Adderall
- L-Tyrosine and Adderall
- Stacking Piracetam with Adderall
All of these facts listed above have made many prospective, former or current users of Adderall interested in finding a reasonable alternative to this medication.
This could be for the treatment of ADHD, or even another condition like helping to improve memory, learning capacity, and studying ability.
While supplement manufacturers cannot promote their products as “Adderall Replacements”, many of these supplements are recommended by doctors as natural alternatives.
These natural brain supplements may have a lower risk of side effects, tolerance, withdrawal or overdoses. Some of these brain boosters or cognitive enhancers can actually improve the health of your brain and may contribute to improved long-term neuronal function.
So what are the best substitutes out there that consumers are taking as Adderall alternatives to boost their concentration, attention span and intellect?
What Is Adderall?
Adderall XR is classified as a drug that is useful for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy, among other brain conditions. It works in the brain as a stimulant, although it is also tolerated well in children on a short-term basis.
This medication actually contains four types of amphetamine salts: aspartate monohydrate, aspartate sulfate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and dextroamphetamine saccharate.
Adderall has both forms of amphetamines included. This gives it a highly stimulative effect on the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. This is probably the most likely explanation as to why it has such a strong benefit for ADHD sufferers.
Unfortunately, it also carries with it the risk of serious side effects, which is one of the reasons why many users eventually seek alternatives.
Why Is A Prescription Needed For Adderall?
The main reason why a prescription is needed for this substance is due to the fact that is has been classified as both a drug and a controlled substances by the FDA. The FDA has determined that physician supervision is necessary for the safe use of this drug.
This is because there are quite a few side effects that can be caused by this drug and a doctor needs to determine whether you are healthy enough to use it first.
Furthermore, it does contain amphetamines and may be habit forming if it is over-used. To prevent people from abusing Adderall, you must be given a prescription in order to legally buy it in the USA. If you are interested in seeking an alternative to Adderall, you should speak to your doctor to determine an appropriate treatment regimen for yourself.
Some naturopathic doctors may be more familiar with the dietary supplement alternatives that are available over the counter and can also help with ADHD symnptoms. These alternative may be safer for long-term use.
The list below describes some of the supplements used today by individuals who do not have a prescription for Adderall or who are looking for natural alternatives. Be sure to check with your doctor before using any of the products listed below and to find out about other possible alternatives for improving your cognitive function and attentiveness.
Best Non-Prescription Alternatives to Adderall
Piracetam
The first alternative is Piracetam from a category of supplements known as Nootropics which enhance underlying brain power. Piracetam works by actually crossing over the blood-brain barrier and entering into the nervous system. From here, it affects the levels of several neurotransmitters, especially Acetylcholine.
This natural brain chemical is involved in a number of cognitive processes including memory formation, learning capacity, attention switching, concentration, and focus. Taking Piracetam has been shown to help reduce symptoms of ADHD as well. Piracetam is also less toxic than table salt and improves the health of the brain by increase cell membrane fluidity and promoting better maintenance of your neurons.
Some individuals will stack Adderall XR with Piracetam for better results, but you should avoid this unless advised to do so by your doctor.
Aniracetam
For extreme potency and lightning fast onset of effects, Aniracetam is the best choice among all Adderall alternatives. The compound is a highly concentrated form of Piracetam. Just like that powerful nootropic, Aniracetam activates Nicotinic Acetylcholine receptors.
This action enhances the natural effects of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, including improved signaling, vibrant growth of neural structures like neurons and synapses, and dramatic memory effects.
Memory and learning are further boosted by Aniracetam’s interaction with AMPA receptors. All of these effects combine to create a powerful sense of mental focus and dexterity. In addition, Aniracetam fires the receptors for both dopamine and 5-HTP (connected to serotonin effects).
This adds an excellent mood lifting, energy boosting component to Aniracetam’s effects. Aniracetam not only provides strong mental focus and concentration, it also alleviates symptoms of depression and cuts the chaotic thoughts connected to anxiety. These sophisticated benefits make Adderall’s stimulant effects for ADHD seem blunt in comparison.
Noopept
Noopept is a neuropeptide which has a similar mechanism of action as Piracetam, at vastly more concentrated levels (often cited as 1000x stronger). This means that Noopept delivers similar benefits as Piracetam, such as heightened concentration, improved memory, and neural tissue support – but at much lower dosages.
Noopept is of particular interest because it increases levels of Nerve Growth Factor. This chemical helps support and maintain the integrity of all brain cells. Damage and age-related deterioration of these cells is the primary cause of degenerative cognitive conditions like Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease. This kind of cellular damage is also a factor in cognitive disorders like ADHD and ADD.
A noopept supplement can not only alleviate present symptoms of these conditions, it can actually provide strong protect against future decay. For this reason, it is an excellent supplement for young and old alike.
Noopept also creates mood enhancing effects by interacting with receptors for dopamine and serotonin. It does so without actually spiking hormone production of these chemicals, as Adderall does. Overall, Noopept provides powerful all-around cognitive support and neural protection.
Pramiracetam
Pramiracetam is another relative of Piracetam that delivers potent concentration and memory building effects. Just like Piracetam, Pramiracetam activates acetylcholine and glutamate receptors, spurring the powerful cognitive benefits. These include greatly enhanced mental focus, excellent logical reasoning boosts, and a sense of fast, fluid thoughts.
It is 30x more potent than Piracetam and so is effective at much lower dosages. Pramiracetam is especially recommended for its activity in the hippocampus, the part of the brain which governs the processes related to memory formation and recall.
Pramiracetam dramatically improves nerve signaling in this part of the brain. The result is a tremendous increase in the memory function as well as working memory which is essentially the processing power of the brain.
For this reason, Pramiracetam is often thought of as the racetam which is best for memory. Adderall provides no lasting improvements to the formation of memory or recall. While Adderall produces a temporary heightened state of focus, any new information gathered during that time will be lost once the drug wears off. Pramiracetam also has a noticeable impact on promoting goal-oriented behavior and boosting motivation.
Alpha Brain
Alpha Brain is the leading nootropic “stack” product on the market. A stack is simply a term the nootropic community uses to describe the practice of combining different supplements. Many natural nootropics exhibit synergistic harmony when combined which elevates the effects of all individual components of the stack.
Produced by Onnit Labs, Alpha Brain’s ingredients include many of the most effective nootropics for mental focus and fluid thoughts.
One of its most important components, Alpha GPC, is a choline-rich supplement which boosts the amount of available acetylcholine in the brain. This chemical is the key to faster nerve signaling, clearer thoughts, and healthy neural tissue which is impervious to age-related decay.
Next, the pairing of Vinpocetine and Huperzine A restore excellent circulation to neural tissue, while feeding cells with Nerve Growth Factor for enduring cell strength and damage repair.
Other ingredients, like GABA and vitamin B6 are famous stress relievers that can help anyone with ADHD or a short attention span. The product is rounded out with a host of beneficial herbs and cognitive supplements like AC-11, Bacopa Monnieri, Serrata, Pterostilbene, Mucuna Pruriens, and Oat Straw.
The total effect is a comprehensive boost to mental clarity and control – all derived from a natural ADHD remedy. Alpha Brain has also been reported by some users to improve social anxiety.
- Enhances focus and mental drive
- Improves memory and cognitive performance
- Contains Alpha GPC & L-Theanine
Modafinil/Adrafinil
Modafinil is a nootropic drug that falls into the class of eugeroic compounds. This medication was first developed as a treatment for narcolepsy and sleeplessness. It is also growing in its use as a prescription drug treatment for ADHD in the United States. The brand name prescription drug Provigil has been profiled on 60 Minutes and fictionalized in the Hollywood movie “Limitless.”
By stimulating a CNS hormone response, Modafinil may promote intense states of wakefulness and heightened concentration. According to user reviews, Modafinil makes it easy to focus upon time-intensive, detail oriented work for hours on end.
But unlike Adderall, Modafinil will not interfere with sleep cycles, or create dopamine withdrawals. A prescription is still required for Modafinil, though some consumers purchase Adrafinil instead which is a related alternative. Speak to your doctor before taking Modafinil or Adrafinil as these drugs can cause negative side effects.
Adderllin
Adderlin is the brand name for a herbal stimulant supplement that can also improve functions like focus, concentration, increase energy and motivation, and even help to speed up the metabolism, making it easier to lose weight. This is a popular supplement in the growing line of products that try to position themselves as OTC alternatives to Adderall.
It is supposed to mimic some of the effects of Adderall, but is it a good choice for those looking for alternatives? One of the ways this supplement works is by increasing the production of a number of neurotransmitters within the brain.
Unlike Piracetam, this one effects primarily Dopamine and Serotonin. These tend to have more of an effect on the areas of the brain involved with mood, movement, and even sleep cycles.
Some users do find that this can be an effective Adderall alternative, with the added benefit of helping to improve the metabolism and fat burning processes. However, it can also lead to crashes in energy levels when you stop taking the product.
AddTabz
AddTabz is a supplement specifically designed and developed to be an alternative for Adderall.
Some reviews say that it is effective at improving energy levels, attention span, focus, concentration, and productivity.
It does appear to help many people handle a greater workload without additional stress and frustration, resulting in higher levels of productivity.
However, other reviews suggest that it contains relatively weak ingredients and cannot promote significant chances to mental performance.
This supplement has a number of components to it and is considered to be a proprietary blend. Most of the ingredients are herbs or some type of natural stimulants.
It is even called Ampheta CDP to suggest the fact that it has amphetamine-like effects and properties. However, no actual amphetamines are included. In fact, CDP refers to “CDP Choline” or “Citicoline” which is a brain supplement that can boost focus.
It includes some key Nootropic ingredients like Choline which acts as a precursor to the important neurotransmitter Acetylcholine and is responsible for helping to increase memory, learning capacity, and other cognitive functions.
But in order to achieve the best results with CDP Choline, you should be stacking it with a Cholinergic supplement like Aniracetam or Piracetam and not taking AddTabz by itself.
Which is the Best Adderall Alternative?
This is just a small selection of the legal over the counter supplements used as Adderall replacements out there. Some of the other supplements available include Profiderall, Doxiderol, Addrena, Alpha Brain and a number of other nootropic compounds.
These supplements can be purchased without a prescription and many use entirely natural or herbal formulations with lower risk of harmful side effects compared to pharmaceutical drugs like Adderall.
Which one you decide to buy will depend on your needs as well as your preferences in a supplement. In general, the brand name products like AddTabz and Adderlin are more expensive than some of the generic brain supplements you can buy.
Or you may want to design your own Adderall alternative from the many nootropics out there to meet your specific needs. That way, you can create a stack that addresses each of your particular goals and is customized to your personal biochemistry.
Article last updated on: February 28th, 2018 by Nootriment
60 Comments
I’m a huge advocate for nootropics as an alternative to Adderall… not only are they better for your brain in the long run but they’re less harsh on the body in the short term too. Nice to see this breakdown of the alternatives!
Where can you buy these alternatives? Store wise?
I am also wondering what stores might have some of these in stock. I would buy online but I would rather try a smaller dose for my first try. I am 22 and have had miracles/troubles with adderall and vyvanse for years, but I would love a more natural option. One that doesn’t make me feel addicted and as though I’m searching for a fix :/
Sarah…….which one do you specifically take?
I have tried Adderllin and do not recommend it.
Twice I had a physical reaction where my eyes were swollen for days.
AND did not notice any increased focus,
keep me updated
I’ve been experimenting a lot with various nootropics now, and despite many recommendations for various noops, I found the best combination for me has been the smoothness of Nitrovit (relatively new) combined with Noopept. Many commercial types I’ve tried, like AddieUp, even Alpha Brain are on my don’t bother list.
Jim, why is it you didn’t like addie up? i just ordered some. seems like this may have been stuff i read prior to placing my order. im going for something as close to actual adderall as possible because that is what I prefer but am not able to get a prescription. Thank you.
I have been taking Adderall XL 30mg. At one time was taking 4 caps daily. Currently taking 2 caps– I’m a young 58 yr old female who has suffered from depression/ motivational issues, on & off, as long as I can remember.
I enjoy my nightly cocktail. Recently discovered, alcohol & adderall can cause major liver disease! I’m certainly a candidate.
At this point, taking adderall does offer a minor motivation- boost. However, my depression has increased.
Bottom line- want to eliminate Prozac & Adderall as soon as possible.
After extensive research this is what makes sense to me.. Please offer your input. For one week now I’ve been taking:Tyrosine 500 mg, B6 250mg,Tri-Iodine 25mcg., Sea Buckthorn Force, Pantothenic Acid 550 mg.,Red Yeast Rice 600mg (cholesterol), complete Omega by Nordic Naturals, Calcium Citrate w/D3, co-enzyme Q10, Krill oil 1000mg.
Allot of stuff!!! I will investigate Aniracetam /5-htt & Primirocrtim.
All the above mentioned are for I
Proving Adrenal /thyroid functionality. Lease offer your professional advice. Thank you!!
I’d throw in a Vitamin K complex as well, it’ll help with bone and heart health, your already taking calcium and D3, might as well finish off the cocktail. You mention some I haven’t looked into, thanks, it can be hard finding all the options! I’ve been supplementing for decades with b-vitamins, caffeine and st. johns wort, on and off adderall and ritalin, I was completely blind to the other alternatives! I’m so excited!
Injesting supplements while using Prozac, Adderall or any prescribed meds can interfere with the affectiveness of your medications, and can result in a dangerous chemical interactions. All this this stuff your taking might harm your liver. You should discuss supplement use with your doctor!!!!!
Here’s a sincere hint: Stop looking for drugs to take and focus on eating right. Your body has been in evolution for much longer than you have.
I am wondering too… I have had an ADHD diagnosis as far back as I could remember (special ed all through grade school)…. Only medicated for past 5 yrs or so. I was on something else first which seemed to slowly not work much anymore and then I found out about Adderral, doc gave it to me and..WOAH! I couldn’t even get through school work before but then after Adderral, enrolled in college and was a high honors student & it helped with my focus in everything else & lose weight too!! I was finally productive and not so “scatter brained/flakey”. Now (even w my diagnosis history) am off medicine & cant find a doc that is willing to help me get back on track (bc I have crappy govt ins) & they treat me like I am just some pill popper looking for drugs! I have been unemployed, scattered… I really need a new doc & to get back on track.
I would MUCH RATHER find a healthier alternative to Adderral but just do not know which of these would be the closest & do not have the money to blow experimenting! I have employment opportunities pending that require a decent amount of organization and focus but I also need to use whatever one that can continue w weight loss as well.
You do sound like a junkie looking for his next fix, dude.
ADHD isn’t a real disease, I understand that life might have been better with you on Adderrall on the reg, but it’s a drug, and you have to come to terms with it.
ADHD is a real disease, but the hysteria surrounding its diagnosis and treatment makes it nearly impossible to have a real conversation about it. And your comment is absolute proof of that. It has been established that ADHD is a real disease which is likely caused by structural differences in the brain, specifically the prefrontal cortex (which is primarily used for decision-making). My best friend has ADHD and when he is not on his medication he becomes a very strange, different person. He does pointless, impulsive things and seems to not have a strong degree of control over it. He’s not a bad person regardless of whether he is currently on Adderall, but it helps him pull his shit together extremely effectively. I really hope that you take an opportunity and educate yourself on what ADHD is and how it can be treated. As a species, we have tried very hard to leave sentiments like the one you expressed back in the 19th century where they belong.
You have no idea what you are talking about. Don’t speak unless you have walked a mile in someones shoes. I have dealt with ADD since my teen. It is real. It is crippling. Low information people like you drive me nuts.
I’m fast typing so read with appreciation and not a judgemental attitude. I’m a teacher and you don’t know what your talking about. ADHD is a major unbalance, exacerbated by diet, exercise and sleep habits.
Studies prove the same; many students entering the class going bezerk, continuously, daily, all the time. No changes. However, when I calmly accept them, and direct their attention; like a finger on a trigger, I get a wee bit more accomplishment; however, they can’t do this themselves. It doesn’t matter what age, I have experienced this even in high school kids, pk to adults. I have seen this hyper focus and hyper activity in a certain percentage of students, the numbers is increasing. Maybe the mother’s have a certain dna that trigger this behavior coupled with medicine diet, maybe birth control, maybe immune shots, I don’t know, but their is a trigger and more parents are depending on MC Donalds. I have monitored them through school, some get medicated and work through a process. Also, this is prevalent in drugs, and their off spring especially.
Not only are brain scans proof of a lack of activity in key areas of the brain, but where do you think the behaviour of ADHD comes from? Are people like myself just causing a fuss with aggression, wishing to offend others with impulsive behaviour, and choosing to not process information properly because we like it? Before a diagnosis and some form of medication, my life was in a stasis, going nowhere and relying on the state to support me. I think the fault is with gmap using the phrase ‘disease’. The doctor is right, syndrome, condition, disorder, illness would be much better phrases. It is also worth understanding that people are now starting to see ADHD as an Executive Function Disorder. EFD describes the functional failings of ADHD but without the behavioural issues.
ADHD is real, Gmap. Whether or not you want to call it a disease, is up to you.
It is over-diagnosed, which is partly to blame for the misconceptions out there about it, and it is still not well understood. But there is no question that it exists, there is no cure, and it can be extremely debilitating if you don’t manage it well.
The idiot trolls that waste oxygen and time stating adhd isn’t real or valid disease, issue, etc. can go play in traffic. Stupid. Shut your face unless you have something constructive or actually respectful to communicate…good grief!!!
“ADHD isn’t a real disease” lol
ADHD IS NOT A DISEASE BUT IT IS A SEVERE BRAIN DEFICIENCY. READ DR. DANIEL AMENS BOOK ON ADD. MOST CAN BE CURED WITH SUPPLEMENTS AND DIET CHANGES. HE DOES BRAIN SPECTS (A BRAIN SCAN) AND CAN IDENTIFY 7 DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADD OR ADHD. I SAW HIM ON A 1 1/2 HOUR SHOW ON PUBLIC TELEVISION. HE’S BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME AND HAS HELPED A LOT OF PEOPLE.
Gmap, you’re right ADHD isn’t a disease, its a documented, researched and proven chemical condition within the brain. Regardless of how Kat presented herself, she is looking for healthier alternatives as are the other people that have commented and read this article. Please take your judgmental comments elsewhere.
Kat, sometimes it may take a few tries to find the right alternative to the original adderrall, however I have found that mixing in exercise as well as staying away from certain drinks/foods with the alternative has seemed to be the most effective course.
This is exactly why healthcare is so poor these days. Doctors use the term “drug seekers” instead of giving people proper care. They think insulting their patients will make the problem go away, but that’s not how the human body works.
Gmap, you clearly do not understand. I am an “A” student, but I struggle much more than my peers to remember and to concentrate. I refuse to take any drugs, because I don’t want a crutch, but I definitely notice a difference between me and others as far as length of concentration, focus, switching concentrations from one task to another quickly, etc. I started noticing that when I am sick with a bad cold or flu, I actually get more done and can concentrate better on my school work. How can that be? Most people when they are sick have worse concentration. It turns out one of the ingredients in day time cold medicines is an amphetamine. Now, I do not want any addictions or crutches, so I will not take drugs. BUT, I will also not deny the existence of a clear difference between me and my peers. And the difference is not lack of intelligence! I was always the kid in school who everyone hated because I spoiled the curve on the math tests, spelling tests, science tests. I was a “day dreamer” and would be off in a daze. Teachers would try to use me as an example by calling on me when I lost focus, but I always had the right answer because I did my home work and I read a lot and paid attention as much as my mind would allow. I am so tired of the headaches from forcing my brain to FOCUS even on subjects I find interesting. I am tired of others griping that it takes so long for me to do my assignments. I want a LIFE! I am not stupid, I just need my neural pathways to cooperate and let me concentrate and remember.
Gmap, you are a REAL moron. By discounting ADHD you are either getting into a pointless semantical argument (that ADHD is actually “something else” with a different name, including possible psychosomatic illness but with the exact same etiology, presentation and treatment) or you are suggesting the damage to the areas of the brain affected by ADHD does not actually occur. Are these areas of the brain immortal, immune to any disease process? I should think not..
Troll
Hi I hope you found a good doc to help you by now , but I feel for you having just read your status 3years ago. If I go off my adderall I will fall back into sloth life and radiate depression and eat my way thru life like Gilbert grape. I went to a walk in clinic and told my doc that I was doing cocaine to keep AwKe and get my stuff done and a friend of mine gave me aderAll and it was a miracle, he gave me a prescription and I also had to see a psychiatrist who tried to put me on loratadine… I tried that and started seeing ghosts and developed nasty cramping and really it was terrible so I stopped that and went back to the walk in doc and said I have ADHD and mild form narcolepsy. He gave me aderAlls. I basically had to modify my wording when speaking to doc to get what I knew I needed. It’s been a few years and I’m still taking aderall as needed ( not everyday). The days that I do take it, I have a stronge urge to smoke cigarettes….this is becoming increasingly annoying for me and now I want to explore different more natural options. Anyways. I branched off there, all I wanted was to tell you that I know how you felt at the time.
Dallas
I will assume that you mean well, Gmap, but suggesting someone is a “junkie looking for his next fix . . .” and making an unqualified statement suggesting that “ADHD isn’t a real disease . . .” is not helpful. The world would surely be better off knowing about alternatives to psychostimulants and other psychotropic medications. It has been my experience that there are always people (including Dr. Oz) sharing info about these holistic alternatives, but they do not really help most people. There is good reason to suspect that any benefits people initially report are better explained as “placebo effects.” I was a child psychologist for almost 30 years and saw hundreds of children, and many adults, with symptoms suggestive of ADD/ADHD. For a small number the psychostimulants seemed to help. For most of the clients I saw, they weren’t that helpful and often clients had to deal with side effects. Finally, correctly diagnosed, ADHD, is a neurological disorder with secondary psychological symptoms. You can absolutely see differences in the brains of individuals with ADHD compared to “normal” brains. If you don’t like to call it a disease, what would you call it? A syndrome. Perhaps. I do not fault people who want to “feel better or more normal,” so I am inclined to not consider them addicts or “junkies.” It is ironic that some people say that it is okay for someone to take a medication prescribed by a physician (which is wise), but someone who self-medicates is a junkie or addict. There surely are more natural alternatives, such as, exercise and meditation, which have only beneficial side effects.
It’s nice to see someone on here with some compassion(polarbeardr) I was on adderall for quit some time, for me it was a godsend, as I’ve been tired since I was little a girl. Not your normal stress kinda tired , but a tiredness that doctors could not explain because blood tests kept coming back as normal. Recently my Doctor stopped my prescription cold turkey, which if anyone knows anything about this medication, it’s dangerous when stopped suddenly. I now feel like my body is slowly shutting down and need advice how to repair any damage this drug could have caused. I understand it’s a form of meth which could possibly shut down organs if it’s used for a long time. I’m very disappointed in the healthcare / drug pushing system. If you’ve never taken a drug like this, you have no business stating your opinion about someone being a junkie. It’s like any other ailment that someone would need medication for. Would you call someone who has diabetes a junkie if they didn’t have there medicine and tried to buy it wherever they could get it? I’ve always been an advocate for the natural herbal vs. drugs but I haven’t found anything even comparable that works for narcolepsy. I’ve excercised but honestly I feel more exhausted after. Adderall was the only thing that made me feel normal with motivation and energy. I’m not proud that I had to rely on a pill for this, It takes all the energy I have to just make it through another day without it. Does anyone know of anything that will repair this?
Sherry, has your doctor ever tested your T3 and T4 hormones. You might have a slow thyroid. Most doctors only follow TSH numbers in the blood work, but that says nothing. If your T3 and T4 are low, then you need to be on thyroid medication. If that’s the case as for Natural Desicated Thyroid instead of the synthetic.
Sherry – your energy drain is likely due to adrenal fatigue, which likely means your Cortosol levels are too low (and Thyroid levels out of whack – refer to MO’s comment). That can be offset by Hydrocortisone tablets supplementation, which is converted to Cortisol by your body. Hydrocortisone is a prescription hormone, but you can get it OTC through Adrenal Cortex extract (used by the medical industry prior to synthetic hydrocortisone) or by eating hydrocortisone cream (effectiveness debated).
All that said, Cortisol won’t help you without the right balance of Thyroid hormones in your system. MO is right about Thyroid, but that also requires enough Cortisol in your system to be effective, and Cortisol is provided by your Adrenal Glands. You can get OTC Thyroid through Thyroid Cortex extract. Prescription drugs are more concentrated and powerful, and consistent, but you can get by, or better, with OTC sources.
Playing with your hormones is risky (knock your hormones out of balance, it can take awhile to get back in balance, no matter how you manage things), so most people recommend having all this managed by a reasonably competent medical doctor who knows more than the average about how endochrine systems work, keeps up on current research, and does more than lazily push prescription drugs like Adderal, et al.
I say do what you need to do, but try to be wise about.
There can be significant side effects and withdrawals from long-term use of cortisone-increasing drugs or supplements. Definitely important to speak to a doctor before using to determine whether this is appropriate or not.
Hi Sherry~ Sorry for your struggle. Your story sounds very similar to mine~ this month I found out I’m in the “burnout” stage of adrenal fatigue & agree with most of Allan’s response that your low energy is likely adrenal as well. (AF followed the removal of my thyroid 5 years ago for benign hyperplasia). My recommendation is to see a functional medicine dr for hormone testing, before self-medicating with adrenal cortex containing glandulars~ as taking such supplements, no matter how well meaning, can impair gland function. In other words taking glandulars to prevent AF can actually crash adrenals. So be smart and make sure to consult with a knowledgeable doctor first.
My name is Catherine and I am 29 years old. Since I was a little girl as far back as I can remember I have always had exstream fatigue, I had problems in school with concentration and was always struggling stay focused, I had alot of trouble learning and was in special ed classes most my life. Because of these troubles I always thought I was ignorant or just mentally slow, I have always struggled with depression, anxiety and serious mood swings because of my lack of understanding, my seemingly lack of intelligence and my inability to focus, pay attention and socialize normally with my peers. I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety but never with adhd or add, although I do believe that I am adhd, and I find myself even more so believing it because all of my children have been diagnosed with adhd aswell. The problem I am running into for myself is that I am a recovering addict, and drugs like adderall, ritalin, meth and stimulants of this sort were drugs that I used frequently, and i am not verry well educated on herbal remedies or synthetic replacements for prescription adhd drugs or any prescription drugs for that matter, so I could really use some help and opinions on the best place to start and the cheapest most successful method to begin with because Im not in a financial position were I can spend a whole lot of money, but I really am so tired of having all these symptoms day in and day out! The only thing I ask is that whoever gives advice or opinions to me please keep in mind that I am a recovering addict, so please direct me to the least likely method to effect my sobriety, that will still enable me to feel less exhausted, more focused and alert and less anxious and nervious in society! Please and thank you… sincerely Catherine
Catherine, if I might suggest, read Dr Daniel AMen’s books. Look to amazone for a list of all his books. I have read the “7 types of ADD”, and “CHange your brain, change your life”. It helped me define the problem and then gave the treatment, lots of supplements and recommendations for biofeedback, or therapy, or prescription meds. MANY to dos to get the healing going. I have been using L-tyrosine to help with focus.It has definitely helped both myself and my son. REcently I added 5- HTP and it has calmed my flare ups of irritation and anger. I learned what to try by carefully reading each ADD type and then trying the suggested supplements. Please know that addiction is a real issue for untreated brain issues. You wont need the alchol, or the caffeine or the illicit drugs if you can find the right supplements to support your brain. Good luck. DOnt ever give up!!
Hi, I have been struggling with ADD my whole life, ( when I was a kid they just called it ADD ) At age 9 I decided (with the approval of my parents) to stop taking ritalin bc it made me feel scared and angry and sick and a lot of other things you don’t wanna have to feel as a child. But I struggled just fighting with all my might to accomplish the smallest tasks that most people think nothing of. Finally about 5 years ago I found something amazing called Vaxxa Attend which is a homeopathic supplement for ADHD it is marketed more for children but it worked really really well. up until a few months ago when it slowly started to become less effective and I seem to be struggling again. I do not want to take something harsh like a strong drug that will have a lot of side effects. I just want to be able to think without having to try so hard. I have read the descriptions on this website of some of these products, some seem stronger than others. Since it is possible for substances like these to lose their effectiveness over time would it be wise to start with something less strong to begin with or would there be a good reason to just go with something stronger?
Because it was been a long uphill battle to get my son diagnosed with ADD, I have persued the OTC information available to me as I find it . Dr Daniel AMen has a couple great books to read. The 7 types of ADD in a great investment in yourself, for less than $20. See all his listings on AMazon, and buy where ever you want or have your local library get it for you. By carefully reading each type I was able to target the supplements that are most likely to help. We use L-tyrosine and it is 10cents a pill for the cheapest sources on line.How many you need is listed in his book. We have been adding other supplements to try, by carefully matching our issues to Dr AMen’s description of each of the issues.
I have started with the lowest doses and worked up to a level that seems to be the most effective. I dont worry about missing doses. BUt definitely see a decrease of function if a week of pills are missed. It is your choice on this. GOod luck.
Hello! Thank you for providing this information!
I am prescribed Adderall for ADD, fatigue, and to prevent anxiety attacks. I don’t have insurance, and I need to find an OTC alternative. I am wondering which of the options listed would be the best place to start and the least likely to cause an adverse effect.
I am 25 years old and after the death of my sister nearly two years ago I have had an incredibly difficult time functioning as I used to. I am afraid of psychiatrists – perhaps irrationally so – because the ones I have talked to seem to only want to get me out of the door rather than listen and help with a constructive medication. So for a year now I have been experimenting with Nootropic supplements, looking for a viable alternative to get me back on track academically. I have tried Aniracetam and Sulbutiamine together which is a very nice anxiolytic/mood boosting combo; I have also tried a Pramiracetam and Noopepet combination that worked well for a while until I ran out of Prami. In my opinion the most important Nootropic supplement I have tried is Fasoracetam – it is fairly new and difficult to find (also comparatively expensive) with not much research past animal trials, but it has worked wonders for alleviating my anxiety, depression, and grief-induced lack of focus / motivation. It is VERY NEW and so you should use this at your own risk, I’m just offering another option that has worked better for me than all other Nootropics combined. Good luck everyone – you are not alone!
I have read that Vyvanse is very similar to Adderall, but Vyvanse is used for binge eating now, as well. I am looking for help in both areas. I am 51 yrs old and have mild ADHD, depression, and B.E.D (binge eating disorder) I’ve lost over 150 lbs and kept it off, but I still have those days that I binge and then fall into depression.
I was looking for an alternative to Vyvanse, and was wondering how close Piracetam, Pramiracetam or Noopept would come to it as an alternative.
I’ve taken Piracetam, and it did help me feel more focused, and able to prioritize. (which made it easier to say NO when I thought about another binge). Any insight would be helpful.
“Modafinil has been.. fictionalized in the Hollywood movie “Limitless.”
Sorry nootriment but this is simply not true. A misleading claim especially because Modafinil/Modalert/any analogue thereof is highly unlikely to leave the user feeling like Bradley Cooper; successfully trading on nasdaq, learning piano in a few hours, winning pots in poker. The best they can hope for is to stave off fatigue and a slight contribution to their motivation.
For everyone else out there hear this loud and clear…
There exists no real world equivalent to NZT-48 as portrayed in Neil Burgers movie.
Memory can be increased with various tailored stacks but not streamlined to godlike proportions. Ritalin/Amphetamine will be the closest you will get and these have the major drawback of being very **limited** as opposed to limitless in terms of the duration of their effect and I in no way condone their use for anyone besides the ADD/ADHD/Narcoleptic patients that require them. Overclocking the brain tips the seesaw in favor of crashing and dysfunction due to neurotransmitter depletion. Dopamine, acetylcholine, Glutamine, Serotonin, Histamine, GABA, etc all work in concert. Being probably the most dynamic organ in the body the brain will level itself in response to what you feed it. More dopamine may lead to less acetylcholine etc.
So essentially be careful what you use, research and most of all don’t look to websites for advise on the profile of nootropic/cognitive enhancing compounds.
Hi John,
There is no doubt that Modafinil does not come close to NZT-48 in terms of its effects. However, it remains true that Modafinil was the inspirational basis for NZT-48 in the movie “Limitless”. Hence, it remains accurate to say that Modafinil was fictionalized in the Hollywood movie “Limitless.”
I can’t begin to say how everyone’s comments have helped me understand so much about issues that have plagued me for 30 years. It all seemed connected to me, but traditional doctors just blame everything on weight. Thank you all for sharing – you may have saved my sanity and have given me hope for a wholesome life! I will research and find the right supplement(s) for myself!
I have tried several of the above listed mind stimulants and in the end, my personal conclusion/experience is that none come close to the wonders of coffee.
My daily activity requires me to stay focussed and energetic and after a good cup in the morning, 1 short black around 2-3pm is perfect to keep me going until the evening.
Drink water after each coffee, won’t affect the strength and the caffeine is absorbed slowly.
In the end, much cheaper and still to be surpassed after hundreds of years as nature’s best mind stimulant.
I dont understand why so much of your research is so incorrect and im not going to name the supplement that ACTUALLY inspired the themes in the cooper film limitless, but if u follow cooper and limitless film on twitter , you can find the name of the REAL enhancemet product that was the basis for nzt and i can confirm that although of course the affects are not nearly as dramatic as portrayed in Limitless, they are truly quite incredible and require no “stacking.” One pill. Do your research and yull find out what enhancement product i am referring to. Good luck. Its almost always on back order. When actually available i purchase 6 month supply.
Why can’t you just tell us what the name of it is. I don’t have a twitter account.
I was on 40 mg of Vyvanse which helped me focus tremendously and it did not have that drop off effect at the end of the day that Adderall XR does. When the affects of Adderal XR wear off at the end of the day, I am so mentally wiped out. I was switched from Vyvanse to Adderall due to cost. Could you advise me on which OTC med is similar to Vyvanse. Thanks
I deal with loss of energy and fatigue on a daily basis. I have 3 young kids and need my energy to keep up with them and my daily duties. What can you suggest to me to try as a supplement to increase my energy, even for an extended period of time? Please help this “tired”, “lazy” mama! LOL Thank you!!
Modanifil/Provigil DOES NOT WORK for ADHD. It keeps you awake but do not fight natural need for sleep. It will mess you up. I got it prescribed. There is nothing that works like an amphetamine does. period.
Miguel will you give the link to where i can find the name of these real enhancement product you mention.
Or just mention the name here so i can look for information about it.
Anybody here know what Miguel is talking about in his reply.
Ignore Miguel – There’s fake ads out saying they have the real limitless drug…’it’s on back order, but you can get it right now’ blah blah blah…. Looks like one version is called addium(scam). I’ve seen multiple fake ads using the same principles – check any links that say they’re from CNN and other major websites carefully. Most of these are scams. If he posted an actual link, it would be blocked and taken off of here.
I have been on Adderall for a few years. A low dose 10 mg tabs, 3x per day. Only for work or school. But I have had high blood pressure, so my doc will not write another prescription. Does anyone know how these Noops, etc, affect BP? The non-stimulants do not work for me.
Carlie, I am studying to be a medical professional. I can say that any stimulant is going to affect your blood pressure. Stimulants work by changing dilation of the arteries which affects blood pressure.
onde consigo comprar adderall?
I used Alpha Brain and really worked for me perfectly for mood stability that allows total concentration. I can also recommend it to other people
Why are all of these posts 2 yrs old??? Is there nothing new to be said or is all of this info just b.s????
hola la verdad no logro concentrarme en mis estudios tengo 26 años y la verdad en este momento no poseo dinero para ir donde un psiquiatra para que me receta que medicina es similar al aderall para poder concentrarme??
espero una pronto respuesta gracias
espero su pronto respuesta gracias
Je prends de l’adderall depuis 2 ans et je peux vous dire que cela m’aide vraiment pour la concentration pour mon travaille d’informacien, mais comme je ne recois plus d’ordonnance j’ai trouve ce groupe *********** qui vend ce produit et beaucoup d’autres la meme categorie. Tres fiable et discret