ADHD | +50 articles

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Microdosing and ADHD

by Tyler Durden | Zero Hedge

The high pressure startup culture of the Bay Area leads many participants to view their bodies and brains as machines to be optimised using all of the tools available, meditation, yoga, Soylent, intermittent fasting, so-called smart drugs (including off-label ADHD and narcolepsy meds), microdosed psychedelics and legal nootropics.

The trend for using smart drugs can be traced back to schools, where Ritalin and Adderall prescriptions are rife, explains Anjan Chatterjee, a professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. Children even at preschool age find themselves in competitive environments with dense schedules of study, tutoring, music lessons and sport.

Those who aren't already prescribed ADHD medication can buy it easily; a series of surveys suggest that around 20 per cent of US college students have abused prescription stimulants. It's something that Lily, who has been prescribed ADHD medication since she was six, can relate to. At University, she would share her prescription with friends seeking help focusing on assignments, something that she continued when she entered the working world. "It's what fuels not just the tech community but any millennial trying to work really hard and make it," she says.

At the start of her career working in a tech startup, she found Adderall useful. "It helped me launch a company. We went from three cities to over 30 in six months. I felt like a rockstar but I was being silly," she says. Lily started to research microdosing psychedelics after experiencing unpleasant side effects from the amphetamine-based drug. "My heart would be racing when I took it, and when I didn't, I would experience withdrawal and feel really dumb, like my brain was slowing down."

Even though magic mushrooms and LSD are illegal in many countries, Lily views them as safer than her legal meds. Not only are the doses small and infrequent, she has found no evidence that psychedelics are physically addictive. "I don't think we are going to find out that microdosing damages your liver," she says.

Lily still takes her ADHD medication, but microdosing magic mushrooms has allowed her to substantially reduce her dose. "In a perfect world I don't want to take Adderall at all," she says.

Increasing Number Of Americans Are "Microdosing" On Psychedelics To Enhance Mental Performance | ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

 

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How does caffeine affect ADHD?

by Rachel Barclay & Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD | Healthline | 28 Jan 2019

Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, and chocolate to name a few, and it’s one of the world’s favorite drugs. But what impact does it have on your brain? The right amount of caffeine can help you focus, but too much might make you jittery, anxious, or irritable.

Because caffeine is so prevalent, it’s important to know how it affects individuals with ADHD.​

Stimulating the body​

Caffeine is considered a stimulant. It stimulates the body’s central nervous system, and boosts the brain’s production of a neurochemical known as dopamine, which controls the ability to focus and maintain concentration. This stimulation can cause a person to feel energized and not to feel the effects of fatigue as strongly.

Sometimes the effect can be negative, however. For example, people who have trouble sleeping can experience further sleep disturbances or insomnia due to caffeine.

Reduced sleep

Sleep deprivation can cause ADHD-like symptoms. These include:​

• irritability​
• increased forgetfulness​
• trouble focusing or sitting still​
• difficulty controlling emotions​

Sleep deprivation makes these symptoms worse in people with ADHD.

People with ADHD should only use caffeine in the morning and should avoid consumption of coffee, tea, soda, or chocolate in the evening or late at night.

Reduced blood flow to the brain

Caffeine is also a vasoconstrictor. That means it makes blood vessels smaller and reduces blood flow. This reduced blood flow is why caffeine helps headaches.

Amphetamine medications used to treat ADHD also make blood vessels smaller. Caffeine may have some effects similar to those of common ADHD medications.

Although the exact reason is unknown, reduced blood flow may help treat ADHD by reducing the activity of brain regions that are overactive, allowing them to better function and cooperate with the rest of the brain.​

Using caffeine for concentration​

Dopamine levels in the brain have to be within a very narrow margin in order for a person to be able to focus on their work. But in ADHD, dopamine levels are too low. Stimulant chemicals such as caffeine or amphetamines tend to increase dopamine levels.

For most people, adding stimulants will push dopamine levels too high, causing agitation and anxiety. But for people with ADHD, adding stimulants can get the levels just right. A few cups of coffee throughout the day can make a real difference.

Some studies have found that caffeine can boost concentration for people with ADHD. Since it’s a stimulant drug, it mimics some of the effects of stronger stimulants used to treat ADHD, such as amphetamine medications.

However, caffeine alone is less effective than prescription medications. Adults can use caffeine safely for their ADHD, but caffeine consumption can actually harm children and teens.​

Using caffeine with ADHD medications​

When caffeine and amphetamine medications like Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) combine, they cause an effect called synergy. Synergy occurs when two drugs have additive mechanisms of action, making their combined effect more powerful. Caffeine makes amphetamines more effective, so a person taking Adderall, for example, would likely feel a stronger impact, including greater side effects.​

Risks of using caffeine​

The Mayo Clinic defines heavy caffeine use as four or more cups of coffee per day, or 500 to 600 mg. Too much caffeine may cause:​

• sleeplessness​
• rapid heartbeat​
• irritability​
• anxiety​
• insomnia​
• muscle shakes or tremors​
• upset stomach​

Since medication combinations are very hard to control, a person taking both amphetamines and caffeine will also get a double dose of their side effects. Both drugs can cause anxiety, difficultly sleeping, nausea, and stomach pains.

If you’re experiencing anxiety or difficulty sleeping, you may be ingesting too much caffeine. Make sure to always take both your medication and caffeine with food to control stomach pains. Talk to your doctor if nausea persists.​

Everyone is different​

Although emerging researchTrusted Source is finding that ADHD has a genetic component, it’s also finding that ADHD is not just one thing. Rather, people with mutations at any number of points in their genetics might get classified with ADHD. For developing children, some brain regions might develop at different rates than the other regions that regulate them. Because ADHD has different causes, treatments can affect people differently.

Some people find that caffeine helps their ADHD, while others find that it doesn’t offer any benefit at all, or even makes their focus worse. Pay attention to your body and work with your doctor to find out what is best for you.

How Does Caffeine Affect ADHD

Caffeine can disrupt sleep and reduce blood flow to the brain in most people. However, it has a different effect on people with ADHD. Learn what it does.

www.healthline.com

 

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​

ADHD medication alternatives

by Logan Pearce | 15 Dec 2015

ADHD is normally treated with stimulants. Non-stimulant medications are available, however, they are less commonly prescribed. Stimulants and non-stimulants present side effects such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, moodiness, trouble sleeping and loss of appetite. Potential side effects such as these should raise questions on whether or not the risks associated with treating ADHD is worth the benefit.

Stimulant medications can be separated into two categories; methylphenidate-based medications such as Ritalin, Methylin, Concerta and Daytrana Patches, and dextroamphetamine-based medications such as Adderall, Vyvanse and Dexedrine. They work by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. It is difficult to judge the exact dose from person to person due to biological differences.

If the prescribed dose is too high, these chemicals reach levels that cause the brain to stress. This can result in negative side-effects including problems such as sleeping, eating issues, delayed growth and cardiac risks. The combination of multiple negative side effects can lead to depression and can actually worsen the symptoms of ADHD.

The actual labeling of a patient with a mental disorder can have negative health effects also. Telling an individual that they have a disorder that interferes with their life creates a stigma in their own mind and in the minds of their peers, which can lead to depression, in turn worsening the symptoms of ADHD.

Therefore, alternative treatment methods must be explored. Psychedelic substances such as LSD have been shown to treat symptoms of ADHD when consumed in microdoses. A microdose is calculated as half of the absolute threshold for psychoactivity. This means the amount of LSD consumed at a microdose does not cause any of the effects associated with recreational use.

Other psychedelics of the tryptamine group, such as psilocybin, have been shown to treat symptoms of ADHD when consumed in microdoses. Also, sufferers of depression and anxiety have shown positive results when treated with psychedelic substances. Due to the limited ability to research these illegal substances, however, it is difficult to determine if they are viable substitutes to current medications.

Researchers have been unable to conduct experiments in the laboratory and have been forced to rely on the testimony of assigned subjects. Subjects are given instructions on how to properly microdose the substances and log the effects they observe in journals. Subjects report an increased ability to focus, increased productivity and energy boosts.

Psychedelics researcher Dr. James Fadiman reports, “People do it and they’re eating better, sleeping better, they’re often returning to exercise or yoga or meditation,” in reference to microdosing psychedelics.

These benefits show that psilocybin and LSD need to be considered for legalization for medical research. If medical research shows that these are alternative treatments, patients will receive relief from the possibility negative side effects of today’s ADHD medications.

ADHD Medication Alternatives

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an incurable mental health disorder that involves an inability to focus and increased excitability. The disease commonly persists throughout a patient’s entire life and treatment includes prescription medication combined with therapy. ADHD...

athensoracle.com

 

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Adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed with a simple screening test, doctors warn

by Rebecca Hersher | NPR | 29 May 2017

Diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be difficult. The symptoms of the disorder, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, or DSM, have changed multiple times.

Even if you know what to look for, many of the symptoms are pretty general, including things like trouble focusing and a tendency to interrupt people. Discerning the difference between people who have a problem and those who are just distracted requires real expertise.

Which is why many people were excited when earlier this year a World Health Organization advisory group has endorsed a six-question screening test that a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported could reliably identify adults with ADHD.

A lot of people were intrigued by the seeming simplicity of the screening. We reported on it, including one implication of the study's findings: that there could be a significant population of U.S. adults with undiagnosed ADHD.

But that may not be the case, and even if it is, some ADHD researchers say the six-question screening test is not necessarily the simple diagnostic solution its proponents
hope it will be.

Despite the questions put out by WHO and mentioned in JAMA, in America if your talents and temperament don't match your goals and aspirations, that incongruity generates a series of feelings or behaviors that match quite nicely the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-V, explains Dr. Lawrence Diller, behavioral pediatrician and ADHD specialist who has been following trends in ADHD diagnosis and medication since the mid-1990s.

For example, he says, some adult patients meet multiple criteria for ADHD, such as inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity, but may not [even] have the disorder.

So you meet the criteria, but the question is, Are your goals realistic for who you are? Or are you trying to do too much? he cautions. I think this culture absolutely encourages people to do too much.

Doctors, drug companies and patients

Dr. David Goodman, an ADHD specialist at Johns Hopkins University and the Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center of Maryland, agrees that not everyone who experiences the symptoms of ADHD necessarily suffers from the disorder, and that a simple screening test cannot diagnose it.

Diagnosing ADHD in adults takes time, he explains. "The diagnosis gets made in a clinical interview with the patient over the course of an hour or so, tracking the symptoms from childhood into adulthood," Goodman says. "ADHD in adults typically occurs with other psychiatric disorders," he says, such as anxiety or mood disorders, "so we need to sort out which disorder accounts for the symptoms."

But, Goodman says, he believes there is evidence of a significant population of adults whose lives are being disrupted by ADHD, and who remain undiagnosed.

"Children with ADHD grow up into adults with ADHD," he says, citing longitudinal studies by a team in Canada that suggested more than half of children with ADHD continued to experience symptoms as adults.

"If you're disorganized, you're confused, you're tardy, you're not following through, you're making a lot of errors, your spouse or partner is going to grow increasingly frustrated," Goodman says.

Goodman says simple screening tests can be helpful to identify who those undiagnosed people might be, and encourage them to see a specialist.

Alan Schwarz, the author of the book ADHD Nation and a former investigative reporter for The New York Times, has investigated the ties between pharmaceutical companies and doctors.

"The six-question screening instrument that was endorsed by the World Health Organization was devised by doctors with a very long history in ADHD research," he says. "These are, generally, men who have been enriched by the pharmaceutical industry in order to churn out research and churn out things like this that merely expand the ADHD market."

"What we've seen over the past 10 to 20 years is a constant enthusiasm on the part of the ADHD lobby to get more and more adults to consider the possibility that they, too, have ADHD," Schwarz says.

Questions about drug company influence on prescribing has dogged the industry for years. A 2015 ProPublica analysis of multiple medical specialties found deep financial ties between the pharmaceutical industry and some doctors. And a recent study found that, in general, doctors who have less contact with drug company representatives are less likely to prescribe the company's brand-name drugs, knowingly or otherwise.

Goodman, for one, has disclosed that he has received money from the pharmaceutical company Shire, which makes Adderall, and says that in the last two years he has worked as a scientific consultant for multiple companies that make or are testing drugs to treat ADHD. He says that work helps him "provide the latest insight and clinical care for my patients, who seek me out and appreciate the state-of-the-art care they receive."

Advice for patients

One thing ADHD experts agree on is that people who think they might have ADHD should see a doctor, and preferably an ADHD specialist.

There are multiple treatment options for ADHD, not all of which involve medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy can address symptoms of the disorder, and antidepressants have been shown to help with impulsivity and hyperactivity.

"Adults who choose to take amphetamines," Diller says, "should be prescribed long-acting versions, which are harder to abuse than immediate-release versions."

"You can't, at a minute's notice, pop one of these into your mouth and hope you'll get the work done," he explains. "Use of immediate-release Adderall actually permits and facilitates an ADHD lifestyle of impulsivity."

Many physicians stress the importance of being monitored by a professional, to make sure that whatever treatment is prescribed is actually helping with the symptoms, and making life easier.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health...sed-with-a-simple-screening-test-doctors-warn​

 

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Albert Hofmann

New ADHD screening test includes these six questions

ADD.ORG

1. How often do you have difficulty concentrating on what people say to you, even when they are speaking to you directly?

2. How often do you leave your seat in meetings or other situations in which you are expected to remain seated?

3. How often do you have difficulty unwinding and relaxing when you have time to yourself?

4. When you’re in a conversation, how often do you find yourself finishing the sentences of the people you are talking to before they can finish them themselves?

5. How often do you put things off until the last minute?

6. How often do you depend on others to keep your life in order and attend to details?

Possible responses for each include “never,” “rarely,” “sometimes,” “often,” and “very often.” Each “never” response gets a score of 0, while scores for higher responses vary, adding up
to a possible maximum of 24. A score of 14 or higher would likely be preferred for screening purposes, the researchers write.

This revised screening tool is important: If it’s used clinically at the primary care level, doctors may be able to quickly screen for ADHD, and then based on the results, possibly send on the patient for further psychological evaluation, or even prescribe meds themselves.

The study also determined that adult ADHD is a bigger problem than experts once thought: About 8 percent of the people tested met the criteria for the disorder, which is nearly double the rate of ADHD prevalence estimated back in 2006.

If you find yourself scoring high on those six questions—or if you fit the bill for these 10 surprising habits that may point to adult ADHD—make an appointment with your doctor. If you do have ADHD, treatment options include medications, counseling, or a combination of both.

https://add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf

 

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Childhood ADHD linked to secondhand smoke

by Shereen Lehman | Scientific American | 3 Apr 2015

Children exposed to tobacco smoke at home are up to three times more likely to have attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) as unexposed kids, according to a new study from Spain. The association was stronger for kids with one or more hours of secondhand smoke exposure every day, the authors found. The results held when researchers accounted for parents' mental health and other factors.

"We showed a significant and substantial dose-response association between (secondhand smoke) exposure in the home and a higher frequency of global mental problems," the authors write in Tobacco Control Online.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two of every five children in the US are exposed to secondhand smoke regularly.

Alicia Padron of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida and colleagues in Spain analyzed data from the 2011 to 2012 Spanish National Health Interview Survey, in which parents of 2,357 children ages four to 12 reported the amount of time their children were exposed to secondhand smoke every day.

The parents also filled out questionnaires designed to evaluate their children's mental health. According to the results, about eight percent of the kids had a probable mental disorder. About 7% of the kids were exposed to secondhand smoke for less than one hour per day, and 4.5% were exposed for an hour or more each day.

After taking the parent's mental health, family structure and socioeconomic status into consideration, children who were exposed to secondhand smoke for less than one hour per day were 50% more likely to have some mental disorder compared to kids not exposed at all.

And children who were habitually exposed to secondhand smoke for an hour or more each day were close to three times more likely to have a mental disorder.

In addition, kids exposed less than one hour per day were twice as likely to have ADHD as kids who weren't exposed, and children exposed for an hour or more on a daily basis were over three times more likely to have ADHD.

"The association between secondhand smoke and global mental problems was mostly due to the impact of secondhand smoke on the attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder," the authors write.

The study looks at a single point in time and cannot prove that secondhand smoke exposure causes mental health problems, the study team cautions.

Frank Bandiera, a researcher with the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston who was not involved in the study, liked that the researchers "controlled for parents' mental health in the new study because that could be a confounder."

But, he added, the study might be limited because, although the questionnaires are thought to be valid, the mental disorders were not actually diagnosed by physicians.

"We're not sure if it's causal or not," Bandiera told Reuters Health. "I think the research is still in the early stages and the findings are inconclusive."

But, he said, since secondhand hand smoke has been related to a lot of physical diseases, parents should avoid smoking around their kids.

"We need to sort it out more, so we're not sure yet, but just as a precaution, I don't think parents should smoke at home - they should keep their kids away from secondhand smoke," Bandiera said.

Lucy Popova, from the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, said there is a lot of evidence about the harms of secondhand smoke on physical wellbeing.

"But research on effects of secondhand smoke on mental health have been really just emerging and this study really contributes to this growing body of evidence that exposure to secondhand smoke in children might be responsible for cognitive and behavioral problems," she said.

Popova, who wasn't involved in the study, said no amount of secondhand smoke is safe - any exposure is bad.

"So parents should not expose their children - the best thing to do is quit," she said. "And this will not only not expose their children to secondhand smoke, but will also let them enjoy their life with their children longer."

Childhood ADHD Linked to Secondhand Smoke

Children exposed to tobacco smoke at home are up to three times more likely to have attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) as unexposed kids, according to a new study from Spain

www.scientificamerican.com

 

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Essential oils successfully treating ADHD symptoms

Although many people question whether ADHD is a real condition, many children have difficulty concentrating and controlling their behavior. Unfortunately, the medical establishment seems to favor CNS stimulants as the primary treatment. Unfortunately, some CNS drugs have dangerous side-effects especially in children. Lack of scientific testing to diagnose ADHD also means many doctors may use ADHD as a scapegoat for behavioral issues or environmental conflicts. Thus, some children are taking ADHD medication although they don’t really need it.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that about 11% of U.S. children (or 6.4 million) ages 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. In January 2017, the CDC reported the rate at which doctors (mostly pediatricians and psychiatrists) recommend CNS stimulating medication during ADHD visits:

CNS stimulant medications were mentioned (i.e., provided, prescribed, or continued) at 80% of ADHD visits by children aged 4–12 years and 81% of ADHD visits by children aged 13–17 years.

Clearly, parents have the choice to refuse medication. Yet, these statistics show that the medical professional leans on CNS drugs versus exploring the true reason behind disruptive behavior. Doctors do recommend alternative treatments, such as behavioral therapy and social skills training, but typically in addition to medication.

As a result, the real underlying reasons for a child’s ADHD-like behavior are overlooked. Many children start taking medications unnecessarily. A large share fall victim to common side-effects such as sleep problems, loss of appetite, and depression. In addition, behavioral side effects include “psychosis, mania, drug abuse, and addiction.”

This is why alternative treatment options such as essential oils are much needed.

How essential oils work

Essential oils are aromatic, volatile liquids made up of resin and plant extracts. People make oils out of the most powerful part of a plant, such as the seeds, flowers, bark, or roots.

The book Essential Oils Desk Reference claims that when a person inhales essential oils, chemical compounds in the oils have the ability to produce physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. People have been using essential oils for these purposes for many centuries.

Dr. Terry S. Friedmann, a physician associated with the American Board of Hospital Medicine, examined how different essential oils affect the body. He explains why essential oils work:

When the essential oil is inhaled, the micro droplets are carried to the limbic system of the brain, which is that portion that is the processing center for reason, emotion, and smell, and to
the hypothalamus, which is the hormone command center. The essential oil micro droplets are also carried to the lungs where they enter the circulatory system.

Some essential oils contain high levels of the chemical constituents sesquiterpenes, which can dramatically increase oxygenation and activity in the brain. Other essential oils because of their unique constituents tend to have a greater role in hormonal secretion and in the balance of mood and emotions.

Researchers use essential oils treat ADHD symptoms

Friedmann studied how different essential oils treat ADHD symptoms in children. He performed the research on children ages 6 to 14. All study subjects had a ADHD diagnosis, but were not taking any ADHD medication.

At the onset, all 34 children in the study received a T.O.V.A. test that measured their degree of impulsivity. Then, Friedmann administered cedarwood oil to six of the subjects, vetiver oil to another six, and lavender oil to yet another six children. Finally, 16 subjects were treated as controls.

Friedmann tracked the results using real-time EEG testing. He also administered a post-treatment T.O.V.A. test to all study participants. Here’s what he discovered:

The analyses show a significant 32% improvement in the pre- and post-treatment Vetiver essential oil group. A similar result was seen with the pre- and post-treatment of the Cedarwood essential oil group. The Lavender treated group showed no improvement. When compared with the control group, the Vetiver treated group’s improvement was statistically significant.

Friedmann also reported:

I received several letters from parents of the ADHD children stating that their behavior at home had improved for the better. In several cases, they also stated that school educators informed them that their performance was observed to improve in the classroom. The report cards in some of the subjects had reflected this improvement as well.

Other scientific studies have shown that essential oils benefit attention. Researchers in Japan showed that Vetiver essential oil aroma benefits alertness. Another study established
a correlation between cognitive performance and a chemical component present in the aroma of rosemary essential oil.

Conclusion

Aromatherapy using essential oils may be another way to address focus, anxiety and mood, and therefore, a natural way to treat ADHD symptoms. But without FDA approval, would doctors be comfortable recommending essential oils?

http://www.wakingtimes.com/2018/03/...ential-oils-successfully-treat-adhd-symptoms/​

 

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Psilocybin and ADHD*

by Peter de Boer | 10 Feb 2018

Compared to traditional ADHD medications, the effects of microdosing are less intense and won’t dampen the personality. When speaking about his old medication, Alvin believes the ups and downs of those medicines can be exhausting. After a certain point, those medicines became ineffective for him. While Adderall has helped him through some of his life’s most important events such as graduating from school, traditional medicines have diminishing effects.

He says micro-dosing allows him to use his brain the way he wants to. He is now able to explore single thoughts one at a time and he doesn’t need to worry about tolerance or the unpleasant effects of coming down from amphetamines. He is also less susceptible to mood imbalances whenever he is microdosing.

Microdosing on psilocybin mushrooms allowed Alvin to wean off amphetamines altogether. He can keep up a busy life, build relationships, and develop his business. He was able to take back his life without being a slave to big pharmaceuticals.

“If you’re desperate to be free of amphetamines without suffering from withdrawal, I strongly recommended micro-dosing on magic mushrooms. I understand that medications are a part of my life but through microdosing, I am able to accept myself for who I am without losing my identity."

Magic mushrooms vs. traditional medicines

Another ADHD sufferer came forward. Mitchell was also diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. He describes his ADHD in a way similar to Alvin’s. He is unable to concentrate, he can’t study, and he has missed countless appointments, deadlines, and job opportunities. For almost ten years, he took Ritalin.

The drug helped with his concentration and anxiety but he felt its diminishing returns made him eventually quit.

After listening to a radio feature, Mitchell turned to the idea of micro-dosing. “It helped lighten my mood,” he said. “It also gave me better self-control. I was able to regain my sanity, and wisdom.”

However, it wasn’t smooth-sailing from the start. Mitchell says microdosing is only effective if you are willing to work on yourself. Without continued, conscious effort, the brain will regress into unhealthy patterns. Microdosing only opens the door. It’s up to you to go through it.

“I actually think microdosing is an effective therapy option without requiring a full-strength psychedelic trip,” he says.

These stories are just from two people who have life-changing experiences with micro-dosing. Imagine just how many ADHD sufferers are there who are gradually leaving their Ritalin bottles inside their medicine cabinets in favor of a small, imperceptible dose of magic mushrooms.

In a survey done by James Fadiman, he found out 31% of people who are microdosing are self-treating with ADHD. This is nearly as many as those who use small doses of magic mushrooms to treat depression.

Microdosing is able to give those with ADHD what pharmaceuticals cannot, control of their symptoms without losing their identities. Stories like Alvin’s and Mitchell’s common among microdosers. Are we on the cusp of a paradigm shift in ADHD and mental health?

*From the article here :
https://www.trufflemagic.com/blog/magic-mushrooms-treat-adhd/​

 

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ADHD and microdosing psilocybin, a 2-month review

I take around 200mg of ground up capsulated mazatepec mushrooms every monday and thursday. This schedule has varied a little but twice a week has more or less been constant (except for when I was sick). Here's some observations.

The good:

My focus has increased massively. Either I get less distracted or if I get distracted I get aware of it more or less instantly and it allows me to refocus. Like literally, I feel almost no urge to take ritalin or anything else I get prescribed from my psychiatrist.

I think I'm happier.

I'm surely more mindful about myself. I tend to notice my moods much better and this in turns allows me to "do something about it".

In the past I've had a lot of situations where bad memories haunted me (you know, that stupid thing I did in fifth grade) and beat myself up about it. I now manage to simply "forgive" myself. I think of something like that and just joyfully tell myself "Well, you were young / anxious / nervous / whatever, it's ok!"

I think I laugh more, cry more, just generally open up much more, emotionally.

Sex hasn't been better. Where in the past I often struggled to focus and my mind just wandered all over the place even when I was having sex. Now i can actually just be "there".

Being in the present is awesome. It happens to me all the time.

The not so good:

Sleep on the day I take it tends to be less good than normal. I dream more and I feel less refreshed the next day. Sometimes I have a lot of trouble sleeping, too.

I'm not sure if I just notice it more or whether it's the dose but I have been feeling more tense lately. More muscular problems. Neck and Facial muscle pain from grinding my teeth at night. I had this in the past but it seems to have increased. Or I just notice it. I'd love for somebody to comment on this thing in particular.

Getting the dose right is not so easy. I've had slight "overdoses" as in "more than sub-perceptual" and i've had "underdoses", meaning it didn't do much. Tips on getting this managed better are appreciated.

"Feeling more" has also somtimes increased Social Anxiety. I've noticed I was super nervous in front of people I do business with. Nothing too bad came out of it but it certainly didn't calm me down.​

https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing..._a_two_months/

 

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Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

ADHD could stem from impaired brain coordination

Case Western Reserve University | Science News | 5 Apr 2018

Researchers uncover link absent between brain regions in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and colleagues have discovered how two brain regions work together to maintain attention, and how discordance between the regions could lead to attention deficit disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression.

People with attention deficits have difficulty focusing and often display compulsive behavior. The new study suggests these symptoms could be due to dysfunction in a gene -- ErbB4 -- that helps different brain regions communicate. The gene is a known risk factor for psychiatric disorders, and is required to maintain healthy neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

In a study published in the current issue of Neuron, researchers showed mice lacking ErbB4 activity in specific brain regions performed poorly on timed attention tasks. The mice struggled to pay attention and remember visual cues associated with food. Neuroscientists describe the kind of thought-driven attention required for the tasks as "top-down attention." Top-down attention is goal-oriented, and related to focus. People who lack efficient top-down attention are at a higher risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study is the first to connect ErbB4 to top-down attention.

"The results reveal a mechanism for top-down attention, which could go wrong in attention disorders," says corresponding author Lin Mei, PhD, professor and chair of the department of neurosciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "And since ErbB4 is a risk factor for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, the results provide insights into mechanisms of these disorders."

When the researchers attached probes to the mice to measure brain activity, they found mice without ErbB4 had brain regions that were acting independently, rather than together in synchrony. In particular, the researchers studied the prefrontal cortex -- normally associated with decision-making -- and the hippocampus -- a region that supports memory. These two regions coordinate for a variety of brain tasks, including memory and attention. "We found top-down attention, previously thought to be controlled by the prefrontal cortex, also involves the hippocampus in a manner where the two regions are highly synchronized when attention is high," says Mei. "Our findings give importance to synchrony between the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in top-down attention and open up the possibility that attention deficit disorders, like ADHD, might involve impairments in the synchrony between these two regions."

According to the new study, ErbB4 coordinates a cascade of brain signals that "bridge" the two regions. ErbB4 itself encodes a receptor found on the surface of brain cells. The study found that when a protein (neuregulin-1) attaches to the ErbB4 receptor, it triggers a chain reaction that ultimately determines neurotransmitter levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Without ErbB4, neurotransmitter levels go awry. The researchers discovered mice lacking ErbB4 have low levels of a particular neurotransmitter -- GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid -- in their brain. Low GABA levels can lead to impaired top-down attention in the prefrontal cortex, and impairs how the prefrontal cortex can efficiently coordinate with the hippocampus. The researchers concluded that ErbB4 helps link the two brain regions to maintain attention.

The study used a novel mouse model to study brain functions. By using genetic and chemical techniques, Mei's team can specifically inhibit ErbB4 in a specific brain region. "We generated a mutant mouse that enables us to inhibit ErbB4 activity whenever and wherever we want, thus allowing temporal and spatial control of ErbB4 activity," says Mei. "This positions us to understand how different brain regions and their neurotransmitter activity regulate various brain functions." The researchers are planning to use the novel mouse model to study how ErbB4 may coordinate brain activities, in an effort to learn more about mechanisms behind attention deficit disorders.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...0405150050.htm​

 

[mr peabody]

Magic mushrooms and ADHD

Alvin (not his real name) is a cheerful man who likes to wake up early. Despite an early morning routine, he still manages to look relaxed while being smartly dressed. He doesn’t seem like it but he is an ADHD patient who has turned to psychedelics, particularly magic mushrooms, for self-improvement, and to combat the negative effects of his diagnosis.

He takes a tiny dose of magic mushrooms every other day to help his work performance, and enrich his daily life. Extraordinarily, this regimen has helped him wean off his ADHD medication.

After being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of seven, Alvin has described his ADHD as: a mix of irrational impulses, the lack of conscientiousness, disregard for consequences, and an inability to focus on one thought. This combination of unhealthy thought processes has made it very difficult for him to do anything.

He was prescribed Ritalin and he took the drug religiously until he was 16 years of age. However, a friend told him he seems to have lost his personality every time he took the drug. That was his wake up call. With those words ringing in his ears, he decided to leave the medication behind. He preferred his ADHD symptoms over feeling like an identity-free zombie.

Alvin continued to struggle for 6 years. He was unable to focus in college. After 6 years, Alvin was back on Ritalin. However, after years of switching between brands, his tolerance went through the roof. He thought he needed more amphetamines. It was even more difficult to accomplish his daily tasks.

It was at this point when Alvin found himself taking a dose of Psilocybe cubensis with some close friends. And the experience changed his life.

“I believe my first dose of magic mushrooms reduced the hyperactivity I was experiencing with ADHD. It allowed me to take control of my uncontrollable symptoms,” he said.

While he was under the effect of psilocybin, it came to his attention that he has more control of himself, his thoughts, his body, and his emotions.

“Everything was slowed down, and I was able to keep my focus,” he said. “I was able to follow a single thought longer than I had before. With ADHD and without meds, I can hardly follow one train of thought, let alone finish it out and reflect on it later. Magic mushrooms allowed me to do this throughout the duration of my trip and afterwards.”

Time distortions and altered perceptions are known effects of psilocybin.

After gaining a new perspective of his ADHD, Alvin decided he wanted to maximize the benefits he experienced with magic mushrooms. He started microdosing, a process of taking less than the minimum perceptible amount of magic mushrooms every other day.

At present, Alvin has been micro-dosing since November 2016.

“Aside from allowing me to control my ADHD, microdosing has made me a more positive person and it improved my attitude towards others, and myself,” he said.

He also stands by his belief that his first dose of the psychedelic mushroom helped improve his symptoms.

Magic Mushrooms to Treat ADHD - Trufflemagic - Fresh Truffles & Grow Kits

Psilocybin Helps You Focus Psilocybin and Mood Swings Magic Mushrooms vs. Traditional Medicines Alvin (not his real name) is a cheerful man who likes to wake up early. Despite an early morning routine, he still manages to look relaxed while being smartly dressed. He doesn’t seem like it but he...

www.trufflemagic.com

 

[mr peabody]

CBD for ADHD – Nature’s most miraculous plant medicine

I’m on a quest to find products that work for people with ADHD. So in this article, I’ll discuss the magical benefits of using CBD oil for ADHD.

I’d heard unbelievably positive stories about CBD oil for years now. I’d heard about CBD oil helping people who suffer from ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and various other conditions live a more comfortable lifestyle. Most importantly, I heard that CBD oil actually helps people with life-altering health issues enjoy a much better quality of life. So, I was finally able try CBD oil for myself (after hearing the many amazing stories involving CBD oil). And, now I can say with certainty that CBD oil is one of the best nutritional supplements that I’ve tried.

CBD oil essentially puts your brain “at ease” and makes it easier to concentrate. Using CBD oil for ADHD is a positive experience for most people. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder which can make it difficult to control what you focus on. It’s a disorder of control. This is why people with ADHD often jump from one shiny object to the next, focus on the “wrong” tasks, or waste energy on things that don’t really matter.

If you have ADHD, then you know best that you CAN focus. You just have trouble actually doing the things that you know you should be doing. You probably overthink things. Your thoughts sometimes spiral out of control. And, there’s even a chance that your anxiety prevents you from doing what needs to be done on a day-to-day basis.

“ADHD is often comorbid with anxiety, with rates approaching 25% in many samples.”

If your ADHD is rooted in anxiety, there is a chance that taking control of your anxiety will provide you with the greatest improvement in your health and happiness. CBD oil is one of the best natural substances for temporarily soothing some of the issues that come with ADHD and anxiety. CBD oil can provide you with a nice boost of mental clarity that really improves how you feel on any given day. And it’s a great pick-me-up.

For example, it’s really easy for me to get stuck in my own head. But, after taking CBD oil for the first time, I found myself not really (over) thinking about stuff.

- I was more talkative than normal
- I was “in my body” rather than stuck in my own head
- I didn’t experience as much “mental resistance” to accomplishing tasks

And, I especially enjoyed trying CBD oil because the results were instantaneous. I didn’t have to wait for weeks to notice results, like I would have to do with black seed oil (for example). It’s pretty comforting that a simple over-the-counter dietary supplement like CBD oil has the potential to provide immediate, noticeable results in people with ADHD.

Overall, I would rank CBD oil as a 8.5/10 solution for improving the lives of people with ADHD – because it’s a safe, effective, and sustainable natural remedy.

http://adhdboss.com/cbd-oil-adhd/​

 

[mr peabody]

Psychedelics and ADHD*

ADHD affects millions of people worldwide and causes problems when it comes to productivity, impulse control and social life, to name a few. ADHD can really make it hard for people suffering from it to function properly and achieve success and create a happy life filled with achievements.

In order to treat ADHD, doctors usually prescribe medications that are needed to be taken constantly, which work as long as their in the system of the sufferer. But once they are no longer effective, ADHD symptoms kick right back in. So as of now there are no known medically permitted cures for ADHD, only treatments. People with ADHD often take stimulants like Adderall (Amphetamine) or Ritalin (Methylphenidate). But what if psychedelics could offer a lot of treatment potential for ADHD?

That’s right. Here’s a visualisation of connectivity between functional areas in the brain on placebo and on psilocybin (mushrooms).

As you can clearly see, the amount of neurological pathways in the brain that form and appear on psilocybin are many more than compared to placebo. This just shows the power that psychedelics have on the brain. It’s actually similar to what deep meditation and yoga do to the brain.

That being said, a lot of people with ADHD who have taken psychedelics claim that during the experience and even days or weeks after it, their ADHD symptoms reduced in intensity and number or almost completely vanished to the extent that they no longer qualified for ADHD diagnosis. This may be because psychedelics can help to form new neural pathways that are associated with a better cognitive functioning. Some people claim that psychedelics have cured their ADHD altogether.

The long term effects of psychedelics are very much dependent on the initial experience itself. if you have a good trip, chances are you will experience positive long term effects, meanwhile a bad trip can actually harm your psyche and worsen ADHD symptoms.

In order to have a good experience, set and setting need to be considered carefully, proper dosage needs to be administered, good music should be prepared (trust me, it’s more important than most people think), and the right psychedelic needs to be chosen.

One reason behind ADHD is the lack of two neurotransmitters – dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychedelics probably won’t affect the levels of these neurotransmitters in the long term, though there is a lot of evidence that they can increase the amount of serotonin. So the main issue behind ADHD won't be fixed, but psychedelics can forge new neurological pathways that may help those with ADHD to handle it better.

Plus, we have tons of evidence that psilocybin actually activates a process known as neurogenesis – the growth of brain cells, often leading to more functional and calmer brain.

In order to solve a certain issue while tripping on psychedelics, it’s very important to think about it and try to form a mindset which is helpful in solving the issue. For example, telling yourself that you will be more capable of focusing, you will be less distracted while on psychedelics, and that should help with ADHD symptoms long after the trip is over.

That said, here’s an effective strategy for those with ADHD to utilize psychedelics for the treatment of their condition. Microdosing.

By using threshold doses of various psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin mushrooms, people with ADHD often find that they are a lot more productive, focus better and feel better than normally. And most psychedelics are a lot less dangerous alternatives to stimulants used in ADHD treatment like amphetamines and methylphenidate.

People who microdose for ADHD often do it only once every four days, because of immediate tolerance that you build up on most psychedelics. LSD is most often used and the doses range from 5 to 15 ugs, depending on the user. With mushrooms, because different strains have different amounts of psilocybin in them, 0.2 to 0.5 grams are often used.

Conclusion

ADHD can really make it hard for someone to achieve things, form stable relationships and have a fulfilled life. But psychedelics can, although not always, really help such people to treat, cure or manage their ADHD.

Larger doses may help some to form new neurological pathways and focus better, while microdosing functions more as “stimulant” which can enhance the cognitive functions that people with ADHD lack.

*From the article here: http://www.psychedelicheaven.com/2018/03/11/psychedelics-and-adhd/​

 

[mr peabody]

I had ADHD all through childhood. I was just always always always thinking, that to me is ADHD. All through middle school and some of high school I was always getting sent to the principal because I just couldn't sit still. Seriously, if I didn't get sent to the office going to school everyday...it was a miracle. I just couldn't control myself.

I was always clowning around. I couldn't ever shut off my mind...it was hard for me to find a sense of peace because I always viewed myself as 'never good enough' and had to always learn more and do more. First time I ever even heard of mushrooms (which was from Harold and Kumar) my obsession started immediately. Months later I had a small grow going on in my closet, I took my bike to all these different places to get all my supplies and had a few poor man terrariums and a shotgun terrarium too.

That first trip enabled me to see all these thoughts and realize my position in the world...just sitting outside for hours that day was the most blissful feeling ever because I just felt so connected to my true self. Something I fucking needed so badly. To this day I use all sorts of psychedelics to deal with this "ADHD". It's actually what made me quit taking adderall and gave me something to center me for some time and look forward to every/every other week. Mushrooms truly are a beautiful thing.... and definitely only for selected individuals.... people who I believe are real thinkers. Pretty sure I read online somewhere there is a correlation between high IQ and people who use psychedelics.

-Jvells

-----

Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered LSD, is known to have been a proponent of microdosing as an alternative to the anti-ADHD stimulant drug Ritalin. It is likely that Hofmann, who regularly microdosed with LSD in the last few decades of his life and considered this practice the most under-researched area of psychedelic use, would have thought sub-threshold doses of psychedelics to be an equally viable replacement for newer anti-ADHD amphetamines like Adderall or Vyvanse. Both have dangerous side effects. Web MD lists a myriad of negative side affects for both drugs. Among these are chronic trouble sleeping, heart throbbing or pounding, sexual problems, aggression, abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, high blood pressure, trouble breathing, stroke, mental impairment, and seizures.

-Damon Orion

-----

The neurological healing properties of iboga are not just wishful thinking. "This medicine is one of the few things in nature that reliably regrows brain cells and stimulates new brain cell growth. It creates new neurons, particularly in the dopamine centers of the brain that are heavily implicated with addiction, depression, and ADHD. I noticed that after my experience I didn't need coffee, I was able to focus longer, and I’ve had had much more mental clarity."

-Wesley Thoricatha​

 

[mr peabody]

Psychedelic microdosing - a surprising ADHD fix

EROWID

1P-LSD, a close chemical cousin to LSD-25 and ALD-52, promises to be a very potent ADHD remedy. Daily intake of miniscule amounts can alleviate the full spectrum of core symptoms, i.e. inattentivity, impulsivity, irritability, depression, craving and procrastination. My dosage is about 6mcg, or 1/16th* of a 100 microgram tab, each morning. When prolonged attention is of the essence, a second dose of 6mcg can be taken about 8 hours after the initial one.

Because of a distinctive tolerance effect, it might be preferable to reduce the very first dose by half. This can avoid a somewhat awkward feeling on the first day. Psychedelic microdosing is very cost-effective.

I had been trying out magic mushrooms (or rather magic truffles) with...interesting results. But they are of tremendously repellent taste, and the reliable occurrence of nausea makes them unfit for daily utilisation. It was only then that I found out about 1P-LSD, a novel lysergamide that had entered the market only this very year and, being not yet statutory regulated, was being sold legally across Europe (and in some countries, still is). After reading up on it, I came to the conclusion that, judging by the majority of reports out on the interwebs, its biochemical response was indiscernible from that of its famous twin, LSD-25 (cf. ALD-52 hydrolysis). Excitedly, I ordered a sample from a research alchemist, and hence, few days later, I received mail.

A period of experimentation followed, and I had some profound experiences with this substance. But my original purpose was to investigate the merits of microdosing for its antidepressant effects - and I was positively shocked about it. While it did support me through the valley of suffering - the real revelation was the unexpected attenuation of my ADHD symptoms. Not only was I able to focus much better, both at work and university. Mood swings and impulsive behaviour basically vanished. During conversations, it has become easy for me to subdue my urge to interrupt, instead patiently listening to the other person and replying in a concise and considerate manner.

Overall, interpersonal relations are more positive and inspirational, and my slight social anxiety has disappeared. The scourge of procrastination, relentless destroyer of dreams and aspirations, has become a lot more manageable. I find myself able to eat *just one* bloody cookie, and taking the right decision at the right time much more frequently than ever before. I (nearly) stopped showing up late to class, work and appointments, and I haven't missed a single transportation link since starting daily microdosing. What's more, a confident calmness and vivid appreciation of life and all living beings penetrates my consciousness, allowing me to more positively handle difficult people and cope with disappointments and woes. What a life-changer these little tinctured squares of cardboard are! I wish I would have met you much earlier in life, my dear companion Delysid. The future is once again much more attractive.

1P-LSD - Erowid Exp - 'Psychedelic Microdosing - a Surprising ADHD Fix'

An Experience with 1P-LSD. 'Psychedelic Microdosing - a Surprising ADHD Fix' by eMPee584

erowid.org

 

[mr peabody]

Study suggests acetaminophen in pregnancy linked to higher risk of ADHD

Medical Xpress | Oct 30 2019

Exposure to acetaminophen in the womb may increase a child's risk for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, suggests a study funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality. The study was conducted by Xiaobing Wang, M.D., of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, and colleagues. It appears in JAMA Psychiatry.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is marked by a pattern of hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that affects how a person behaves, interacts with others and learns.

Researchers analyzed data from the Boston Birth Cohort, a long-term study of factors influencing pregnancy and child development. They collected umbilical cord blood from 996 births and measured the amount of acetaminophen and two of its byproducts in each sample. By the time the children were an average of 9 years, 26% had been diagnosed with ADHD only, 7% with ASD only and 4% with ADHD and ASD. The researchers classified the amount of acetaminophen and its byproducts in the samples into thirds, from lowest to highest. Compared to the lowest third, the middle third of exposure was associated with about twice the risk for ADHD. The highest third of exposure was associated with 3 times the risk. Similarly, ASD risk was higher for those in the middle third, and highest third.

The authors conclude that their results support earlier studies linking acetaminophen exposure in the womb with ADHD and ASD and underscore the need for additional research. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration urges careful consideration before using any pain-relieving medication during pregnancy.

Study suggests acetaminophen in pregnancy linked to higher risk of ADHD, autism

Exposure to acetaminophen in the womb may increase a child's risk for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, suggests a study funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality. The study was conducted by Xiaobing Wang...

medicalxpress.com

 

[mr peabody]

​

What it's like to be someone with ADD on LSD

Well I am only one person with ADD and it is impossible for anyone to describe the LSD experience fully, so I can't say for sure how my experiences differed from anyone else's. However I have talked to various other people who have done LSD and tried to model if their experiences were any different. This may be confounded by the fact that the type of person who end up experimenting with psychedelics is somewhat self selecting. But I would say that I found my ADD on overdrive, and yet finally making sense.

My mind would shift rapidly from one thought to another. Actually thought is an understatement, I can't explain what that means, but ideas were far beyond how everyday thought is experienced.

A rapid shift in attention and ideas was in hyperdrive, the difference was that every idea made sense as part of a whole connected to all others, and the connections were staggering new insights. It's almost like there is a fire hose of cognition aimed at your psyche and you just can't keep up. It all makes sense at the time but it is also clear this knowledge will not be accessible back in the everyday world unless you can nail it down somehow into some memorable catchphrases. It's like the ship is sinking and you have to pick which treasures to take with you in the lifeboat.

If you have done other psychedelics before you will find yourself right back where you were, continuing the conversation where you left off, even if it has been years in between. The experience can be overwhelming as it seems like your higher subconscious mind has a whole bunch of stuff queued up for your to review, and you are going to watch it whether you are ready or not. I found myself talking nonstop to my companion who was also on acid and well versed in my ramblings.

I came up with a number of insights on linguistics, society, psychology, technology and the spiritual realm that I still ponder daily. If you have ever seen the BBC show "Connections" with James Burke, its kind of like viewing that in fast forward.

Of course most people end up having some sort of transformative experience, as far as ADD, I'm left with the impression that all that random stuff you have been thinking about can come together into some really interesting insights.

It does allow you to see your own psyche from an outside perspective. Personally I think this is tremendously useful for some conditions like Asperger's, PTSD or OCD. I'm not sure it is actually particularly beneficial in "curing" ADD. In fact it will probably leave you off on all sorts of random explorations afterwards that are not the work society says you are supposed to be doing. On the other hand it might make you realize your ADD is a strength and forcing your life to fit the expectations of a neurotypical world is holding you back. That could lead to some transformation down the road that allows you to thrive.

https://www.quora.com/What-is-it-like-to-be-someone-with-ADD-on-LSD​

 

[mr peabody]

Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS) shows reduced symptoms in children with ADHD

Neuroscience NewsNeuroscience News | March 12, 2019

Researchers report trigeminal nerve stimulation, administered during sleep, is both effective and safe for treating ADHD in children. The study reveals the treatment helps to reduce behavioral symptoms of ADHD and increases activity in brain circuits that modulate hyperactivity.

Currently approved in Canada and Europe for adults with medication-resistant depression and seizures, trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) has been found to be an effective and safe means of treatment for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), reports a study published in the April 2019 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP).

TNS utilizes a small stimulator worn on a child’s clothes to emit a low-level current, powered by a 9-volt battery. Thin wires are connected to the device with an adhesive electrode patch worn across the forehead during sleep. Mild stimulation to the skin, barely or not perceptible to the child, led to activation of deeper brain areas associated with concentration and impulse control. Children wore the patch an average of eight hours nightly and patches were removed each morning.

“ADHD is estimated to affect 9 percent of school-age children and 4 percent of adults,” said James McGough, MD, Professor and child psychiatrist at the Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. “Our current treatments mostly depend on medication with some role for behavioral therapies. Although there is great demand for non-medication ADHD treatments, the most popular options have minimal, if any, scientific evidence supporting their use.”

Investigators enrolled 62 children ages 8-12 years old and randomized them to receive active or sham TNS nightly for 4 weeks. Benefits in the active group were observed within the first week of treatment, with increasing improvement over the remaining weeks. Improvement compared with the sham group was demonstrated by the ADHD-Rating Scale, the study’s primary outcome measure, and the Clinical Global Impression – Improvement scale. The size of treatment improvement was similar to that seen with currently FDA-approved non-stimulant ADHD medications.

In addition to reductions in behavioral ADHD symptoms, investigators found positive changes in brain activation with active TNS, measured by electroencephalography (EEG). This finding, consistent with NIMH research priorities, emphasize measurable changes in neurological functioning in addition to behavioral improvement, suggesting that TNS has beneficial effects by increasing activity in brain circuits that modulate hyperactivity and impulsivity. Study results further suggested that TNS might be effective in reducing pediatric anxiety symptoms, consistent with other studies of TNS for adult depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

A major limitation of many studies of non-medication ADHD treatments relates to difficulties maintaining effective blinding of the sham control condition. Investigators in this study demonstrated that after the initial week, parents of children in both active and sham TNS groups had equal expectation of benefit, suggesting that the study design successfully concealed which treatment children were receiving. This result, in addition to differences in brain activation measured by EEG, further supports the study’s conclusion regarding the potential of TNS for ADHD therapy.

“I am excited that we found significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, as well as associated improvements in brain functioning, as a result of TNS therapy,” added Dr. McGough, the lead author of the study. “Treatment was well accepted by patients and families, compliance was high, and there were no clinically important side effects. TNS has great potential as an additional option for managing ADHD.”

https://neurosciencenews.com/adhd-tns-10880/​

 

[mr peabody]

Microdosing LSD for ADHD

by Patrick Smith | The Third Wave | 1 Aug 2017

Mike was diagnosed with ADHD at only 7 years old: "I remember very vividly being told that I had ADHD; sitting on my bed as my mom broke the news." He describes his ADHD symptoms as 'a mix of impulsivity with lack of mindfulness, an inability to focus on one thought; it can be very difficult to do anything.'

He was prescribed Ritalin, and remained on medication until he was 16. It was when a friend described how he lost his personality every time he took Concerta that he decided to leave the medication behind. Ultimately, he preferred his ADHD symptoms over being an identity-free zombie.

Mike found himself back on medication at 22 after struggling to find focus at college. After several years of switching between Adderall and Vyvanse, he ran into problems. "That was when my tolerance went through the roof. I briefly decided to attain a second script because I thought I needed more amphetamines."

It was at this crisis point that Mike found himself at the Golden Gate Park, taking 110ug of LSD, with a group of close friends. It was an experience that changed his life. "I have a firm belief that my first dose of LSD cured me of the hyperactivity of ADHD. Somehow it allowed me to take control of my uncontrollable symptoms."

"I realized that I had so much more control over myself, my thoughts, my physicality, my movements, my emotions, everything was slowed down and kept my focus. I was able to follow a single thought for longer than I had before. With ADHD I could hardly stay with one thought, let alone finish it out and reflect on it later. I was able to do this throughout the entire trip."

Having experienced a clear perspective on his ADHD for the first time, Mike began microdosing, taking less than a tenth of a Golden Gate Park dose, allowing him to reconnect to the feelings of focus and calm hed experienced back then:

"I have been microdosing since November 2016. Most of the time I am microdosing 8-10ug every other day. It works for me and I never feel faded or tired or worn out."

"As well as allowing me to control my ADHD, microdosing gives me increased feelings of joy, energy, focus, and an overall better attitude towards not only others around me, but a better attitude towards myself and who I am."

"Compared to amphetamines, microdosing is a world apart," says Mike. "The ups and downs of those medicines can be exhausting and ineffective after a certain point. "Microdosing allows me to use my brain the way I want to, I can explore single thoughts one at a time, and I don't need to worry about tolerance or the unpleasant come-down of amphetamines."

Mike says microdosing has allowed him to wean off amphetamines altogether. He can function in his busy life, building relationships with customers and developing new business. And he can focus on his own life without feeling like a slave to pharmaceuticals.

"I'd recommend microdosing to anyone with ADHD who is desperate to get free of amphetamines," he told me. "Although I've accepted that medications are a part of my life, and will be for the foreseeable future, microdosing is a medication that helps me accept myself for who I am, rather than dulling my identity."

I soon came across another adult ADHD sufferer shortly after my meeting with Mike. Also diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, Marcel was happy to share his story in hopes of helping others in his position.

Marcel, a mechanical engineer, describes his ADHD in a similar way to Mike. He finds it extremely hard to concentrate on one thought, which severely hampers his education and causes him to miss countless appointments, deadlines, and job opportunities. He took Ritalin for a decade, which somewhat helped his concentration and anxiety, although its significantly diminishing returns led him to quit the drug.

It was a radio feature that tuned Marcel in to the idea of microdosing. After only a few weeks of microdosing the LSD analogue 1P-LSD, he decided it was for him. "Microdosing not only lightened my mood," he said, "it also helped me develop better self control. Those tiny paper snips surprisingly strengthened my sanity and wisdom." Marcel decided to stock up on a long-term supply of microdoses.

For a year and a half, Marcel has been microdosing with 1P-LSD daily. But it's not all smooth sailing. Marcel emphasizes that microdosing can be a powerful catalyst for change; as long as you are willing to do some work yourself. "I recognize this after microdosing for a fairly long time now. Without continued effort, the brain will regress into defunct patterns. Microdosing, without being a miracle cure, creates enormous room for growth. Yet it is still up to oneself to cultivate better life skills."

We don't recommend microdosing every day. Jim Fadiman's microdosing protocol leaves two days between doses, to defend against tolerance build-up.

Do the benefits depend on having experienced a full-size dose, similar to that which introduced Mike to microdosing? Marcel doesn't think so: "A couple of friends from my local ADHD support group with whom I shared microdoses report distinctive subjective improvements, nearly all of them without any previous exposure to psychedelic substances. I actually do think microdosing is an effective therapy option in and of itself, without requiring a full-strength psychedelic trip."

In a short space of time, I'd come across 2 people with evocative stories about the life-changing effects of microdosing. Imagine how many ADHD microdosers are out there, gradually leaving behind the bottles of Ritalin and breaking free from the amphetamine tolerance. In the preliminary results of James Fadiman's recent microdosing study, his team suggests that around 31% of microdosers are self-treating adult ADD/ADHD. This is nearly as many as those microdosing to treat depression.

Pharmaceutical companies take notice: people with ADHD are looking for something that will help them battle their own symptoms without numbing their identity. Microdosing is giving them that chance at healing without the cost, side-effects, or impracticalities of prescription amphetamines.

People like Mike and Marcel are only just beginning to come to the forefront of the microdosing movement. We could be witnessing the start of a paradigm shift in mental health treatment, all thanks to tiny strips of paper imbued with mind-opening molecules.

https://thethirdwave.co/microdosing-adhd/​

 

[mr peabody]

Does sleep deprivation cause ADHD? New study says maybe.

by Linda Carroll | 3 Sep 2017

Could lack of sleep be an underlying cause of ADHD? Maybe, a new study suggests.

Researchers have found that many people with ADHD, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, have problems with their biological clocks, causing them to fall asleep later and get less sleep overall.

The evidence lies in levels of melatonin, a hormone that sparks our urge to sleep. In people with ADHD, melatonin levels rise later in the evening than they do in people who do not have the disorder, according to a report presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Conference in Paris.

"Most people with ADHD tend to fall asleep later than people without the disorder, which leads to less sleep time overall," said the study’s lead author, Dr. Sandra Kooij, an associate professor of psychiatry at VU Medical Center in Amsterdam. "That sleep loss," Kooij said, "seemed to increase the severity of ADHD symptoms."

An estimated 11 percent of children between 4 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And, as of 2011, approximately 6.1 percent of children were being treated with an ADHD medication, according to the CDC.

If Kooij is right, it’s possible that-non drug treatments — like light therapy, for example — might at least mitigate symptoms in some people diagnosed with ADHD.

That theory is not farfetched, experts say. Researchers have seen evidence in other brain diseases, such as bipolar disorder, that straightening out the biological clock can improve symptoms, said Brant Hasler, a circadian rhythm expert who has looked at the impact of sleep on a variety of psychiatric disorders, including ADHD. Hasler is unaffiliated with the new research.

In fact, Hasler said, "Several small studies have suggested that light therapy not only corrects the biological clock but also diminishes ADHD symptoms."

For the new report, Kooij collected saliva samples from 52 adults with ADHD and 52 who did not have the disorder. She found the rise in melatonin was delayed by an hour and a half in those with ADHD.

The connection between ADHD and the biological clock may be through the neurotransmitter dopamine, which tends to be in short supply in people suffering from the disorder.

“The stimulant medication that is effective in ADHD increases dopamine levels in the brain,” Kooji said.

Dopamine is considered a day hormone in our bodies; melatonin is the opposite, activating at night, inducing sleep.

"So here we are getting closer to understanding how daytime dopamine, which is low in ADHD, and delayed melatonin function at night may be two sides of the same coin.”

"While it may help overall to get more sleep, the timing of when you sleep also matters,” said Chris Colwell, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine.

The good news is changing habits can often help you get your biological clock reset in order to get better rest, and perhaps to improve ADHD symptoms, Colwell said. He suggests the following:

- Dim the lights earlier in the evening
- Exercise earlier in the day
- Eat a small meal for dinner
- Forgo the use of electronic devices as you're winding down

Could sleep problems cause ADHD?

Many people with ADHD have biological clocks shifted ahead, causing them to fall asleep later and get less sleep overall, a new study finds.

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