Natural Adderall Alternatives

Attention Deficit Disorders can make it hard to get through the day, to organize your life without stress and anxiety, and to see any train of thought through to conclusion. They are also becoming more prevalent; they are becoming increasingly diagnosed as we as a society learn more about them.

ADD treatment is pretty comprehensive. Drugs like Adderall can help a great deal. They are formulated specifically to boost and stabilize energy levels whilst improving focus and concentration. Various therapies, coping mechanisms, and lifestyle hacks can come into play to augment these treatments.

However, ADD and associated conditions and symptoms aside, plenty of us struggle with low focus and foggy thinking. Plenty more would at least admit we could do with greater cognitive health – the more the merrier, after all.

You may not have ADD, in which case you won’t be able to get an Adderall prescription (nor should you – the regulations are there for a reason), but you may still struggle with poor focus and concentration and low energy. Luckily, there are plenty of natural Adderall alternatives on the market – compounds designed to bring your cognitive abilities closer to their optimum levels, giving you the power to get done what needs to be got done on any given day.

Do Adderall Alternatives Work?

Yes, many Adderall alternatives work very well – especially the ones featured on this list. They are all designed to improve focus and concentration whilst giving you a bit of an energy burst. They succeed very well in all of these.

However, no discussion on the efficacy of Adderall alternatives would be complete without a discussion of nootropics. Many Adderall alternatives include them; in fact, many bill themselves as nootropics.

Nootropics are simply a group of compounds and ingredients that are thought to improve cognitive function – you may have heard them referred to as ‘smart drugs’.

They aren’t ‘drugs’ as we might think of them in a medical context, which is why they make our list. However, they bring about very similar effects and results to drugs and in particular, Adderall.

Studies have shown improvements to executive function in participants who used nootropic drugs longer term (generally six or more weeks), above and beyond improvements shown by placebo control groups. The term executive function refers to a diverse cluster of mental and cognitive skills, including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. These skills are all diminished in those struggling with ADD and similar symptoms. Trouble with executive function can make it hard to focus, follow directions, regulate emotions, and retain long term memory, so anything that can improve it is to be celebrated.

The compounds included in this list, and in good quality nootropics and Adderall alternatives more broadly, represent a fantastic tool for anyone struggling with cognitive control, attention, and focus.

Our Top Adderall Alternatives

We have compiled 5 of the best natural Adderall alternatives. Each of these are tried and tested by members of our team and have a completely safe ingredient profile. Most importantly, they are also highly effective at giving the same attention related benefits as Adderall.

Noocube 

As hyperactivity is often associated with ADD and similar conditions, this is sorely needed. Oat straw is known for its ability to soothe and calm. Cat’s claw, derived from an Amazonian vine, brings a potent mix of antioxidants. These antioxidants can reduce inflammation whilst helping to regenerate cells. Cat’s claw is also notable for its ability to alleviate hyperactivity induced fatigue.

Bacopa plays into this, too. It is a flower often used for relaxation and stress relief. It can offset some of the anxiety at play though hyperactivity. It has also been linked to memory retention and learning speed.

Then we come to huperzine A, an ingredient often used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been proven, however, to work well in treating a number of neurodegenerative disorders. Those suffering from neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia may well benefit from nootropic use. Huperzine A is therefore a bit of a canny addition to the mix.

L-theanine and l-tyrosine are common inclusions in any nootropic.

L-theanine, often found in herbal teas, is known for its ability to aid alpha brain wave function. It has also been linked with creativity promotion, especially in those diagnosed with ADD.

L-tyrosine, meanwhile, supports memory and brain function as a neurotransmitter, whilst also improving mood. It has also been linked with the regulation of overactive nervous systems (again, always good for those suffering with ADD or similar conditions).

Alpha GPC is pretty unique on our list. It only seems to be included in Noocube and a couple of other supplements. This is strange, as it really does seem to be a worthy inclusion. It has been linked to enhanced production of acetylcholine within the body. Acetylcholine is a messenger in the brain that enables communication between neurons. Optimal production, as Alpha GPC elicits, can greatly enhance concentration and memory.

Mind Lab Pro 

Then there is the phosphatidylserine, a phospholipid that makes up around 15% of neural tissue. With this in mind, phosphatidylserine is a great ingredient for keeping the brain functioning on full. It is also associated with healthy immune function and nerve growth.

Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom is, of course, an edible fungus. It is perfectly safe and really quite potent. Originating in Chinese medicine, it is now known for its scientifically backed ability to aid neuron regeneration and cognition function. Maritime Pine Bark Extract comes into play here – it is a significant antioxidant, helping to alleviate damage done by free radicals, helping to keep you younger.

Bacopa Monnieri, commonly known as water hyssop, makes up about a quarter of the Mind Lab formula. It offers increased cognitive health whilst promoting relaxation, decreasing stress levels. Rhodiloa Rosea helps here, too, helping to ward off symptoms of stress and anxiety. It also promotes memory recall and elevates mood, giving a much greater attention span.

Mind Lab Pro also contain l-theanine and l-tyrosine, which we saw above.

Hunter Focus 

This is all based on a formula of nine active ingredients, each one designed to work singly and together to bring about the best cognitive health possible, thus making them an incredibly natural alternative to Adderall. These include Lion’s Mane Mushroom, citicoline, maritime bark extract, bacopa monnieri, phosphatidylserine, l-theanine, and n-acetyl-l-tyrosine (a form of l-tyrosine), which we have already seen. All of which are guaranteed to give good results.

Hunter Focus also includes ashwagandha and passion flower in decent quantities.

Ashwagandha has long been used in Ayurveda medicine to support memory and healthy cognitive function. The science is catching up – in a recent, small, 8-week study, for instance, most markers of executive function were found to have been significantly improved over a placebo group.

Meanwhile, passion flower has been linked to lower stress and anxiety levels, as well as alleviated symptoms of insomnia.

Alpha Brain 

It contains plenty of the clinically tested, natural nootropic ingredients that we have seen throughout this list. This includes good doses of vitamin B6, l-tyrosine, l-theanine, oat straw extract, cat’s claw, bacopa monnieri, and huperzia serrata.

It even includes Alpha GPC, which is very welcome.

In addition, the inclusion of l-leucine and pterostilbene is fantastic – they both help in optimizing neural communication to promote cellular integrity. It’s a rare flourish of quality from a man not known for his scientific credentials.

Performance Lab Mind 

Then there is Cognizin CiticolineⓇ, a patented form of citicoline, which we have already seen. Again, this isn’t too unique – citicoline can be found anywhere – but it’s a worthy inclusion nonetheless.

Performance Lab Mind is allergen free and vegetarian friendly.

Still not sure which Adderall alternative supplement to buy? Read on for our handy guide around making the right choice.

How To Choose Good Adderall Alternatives

Firstly, follow our advice and consider trying one or several of the items in our list. They are industry leading products with proven track records. The ingredients included in them are scientifically backed.

However, it’s in the ingredients that the magic lies, of course. Anything with the ingredients we’ve talked about today will represent a great Adderall alternative. Search for supplements that include them in sufficient doses, try a few out, see how they make you feel. 

What To Avoid When Buying an Adderall Alternative

There are a few things to be wary of when buying Adderall alternatives.

Firstly, avoid thinking that they will exactly mimic Adderall. Adderall is a very specific, unique, purposefully developed drug designed for medical treatment. Natural alternatives are collections of natural ingredients with known attention, focus, and energy enhancing properties. Though they will elicit similar effects, they are not the same.

Unless you suffer from an Attention Deficit Disorder or similar medical concern, you don’t need Adderall. It will be inappropriate for you – stick to the natural alternatives.

Also avoid any products that don’t give you clear lists of ingredients, including dosages and quantities. You always want to know what you’re putting into your body. At best, an unknown compound can be useless. At worst, it can be dangerous.

Try to avoid anything that includes too much caffeine. A little caffeine will help you focus. Too much will likely worsen existing symptoms. A regular cup of coffee will have around 100 mg of caffeine. A caffeine supplement should mimic a cup or two, so you’re looking at no more than 200 mg in one go. Anything above about 400 mg of caffeine per day can start to get dangerous.

Finally, a natural Adderall alternative should have at least some of the ingredients we’ve spoken about today. Without them, you are unlikely to get much of a benefit from them.

FAQs

Can You Make Adderall at Home?

A budding chemist might be able to make Adderall at home. However, it’s not advisable. This is especially so for amateurs. Natural Adderall alternatives, like those in our list above, are a much safer, more reliable option. 

Is Adderall Offered as an OTC Medication?

Adderall is a controlled substance. You cannot get it over the counter. It can only be purchased with a prescription from your doctor, and they will only prescribe it for very specific uses, to treat very specific concerns. Without a prescription, the natural Adderall alternatives in our list above are your best bet. They do a fantastic job and are available to everyone.

Is Anything Similar to Adderall?

Adderall is in a class of its own – it is the most effective medical treatment for attention and focus. However, there are plenty of natural compounds that can elicit similar, if not identical, effects. They are a different breed, but nevertheless do a very good job.

What is the Closest thing to Adderall Over the Counter?

The natural Adderall alternatives in our list are the best on the market. They most closely mimic the effects of Adderall whilst being available to anybody. In addition, certain natural remedies can help with attention and focus. Compounds like caffeine and ginkgo biloba are particularly useful, and you will have seen them used quite liberally in the above products.

What Herbs Act as a Stimulant?

There are several herbs and natural extracts that can act as stimulants and aid focus, concentration, and energy levels. These include readily available ingredients like ginseng, rosemary, sage, guarana, coffee, peppermint, and ashwagandha. 

Verdict

We’ve looked at some really good Adderall alternatives, here. They will all serve you well if you struggle to focus and concentrate, if you feel any part of your executive function wheelhouse is somehow lacking. The ingredients found in them are all proven to work, are all high-quality, and are all included in usable, worthwhile doses.

However, there always has to be a winner, a star player that stands out from the rest. For us, this is NooCube. The comprehensive ingredients list, the blend, the dosing, is all spot on. Nothing is wasted and everything works synergistically to give you the best effect possible.

It’s reasonably priced for what it is, daily dosing is easy to manage (which is a real plus if you are indeed struggling with focus and executive function), and the inclusion of Alpha GPC puts it out in front of the race by a whisker. NooCube really is an impressive product.