THE TRUTH ABOUT CAFFEINE FOR THE ADHD BRAIN 🧠
For the time it does help get things done…that I’m grateful for, but without a doubt caffeine has been the reason why my last PMS was a world of hell. I confess I’ve been making this health journey more about weight loss and it’s been a real big wake up call for me to take my health much more seriously. It’s not about losing weight anymore, my brain is suffering and so my heart and soul has been too. 😭😭😭
Raise your hand if you have ADHD and your symptoms get worse a week or 2 weeks before your period. 🤚🏻 If you’re a lady who doesn’t experience this for days or weeks every month, you don’t know how blessed you are. But you’re still reading so I’m guessing you either have ADHD or PMS, and maybe you have both. I don’t know how many women this will help but I hope it does. I sat myself down and did some research. Here are the main reasons why people with ADHD should stay away from caffeine even if it boosts concentration for the moment.
- It is a vasoconstrictor meaning it makes blood vessels smaller and limits blood flow. Think about your brain. Do you ever get headaches after drinking coffee or soda? Your brain craves oxygen so you can think clearer and make better sense of things.
- It causes or worsens insomnia, which leads to increased forgetfulness, trouble focusing or sitting still, and difficulty controlling emotions, which could lead to anxiety and irritability. But even if caffeine doesn’t affect your sleep, it can still cause rapid heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, muscle shakes or tremors, and upset stomach.
Proven facts. Why does caffeine cause these problems?
- It depletes nutrients like B vitamins and vitamin C and D
- It interferes with the absorption of calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium
- It reduces the absorption of iron up to 80% if consumed within an hour of an iron-rich meal or supplement
B vitamins are essential for:
* cell health
* growth of red blood cells
* energy levels
* eyesight
* brain function
* digestion
* appetite
* proper nerve function
* hormones and cholesterol production
* cardiovascular health
* muscle tone
Vitamin C for the ADHD 🧠
- Produces dopamine and norepinephrine and reduces hyperactivity
Vtamin D for the ADHD 🧠
- Affects dopamine and norepinephrine, which regulate attention, and reduces inattention and hyperactivity
Iron for the ADHD 🧠
- Combats sleeplessness, restlessness, and inattention
- It’s involved in producing serotonin, which helps to regulate mood and stops cravings for coffee/caffeine
Magnesium for the ADHD 🧠 (esp. Magnesium L-Threonate and Magnesium Glycinate/Bisglycinate, best in combination)
- Magnesium L-Threonate is the only magnesium that can cross the blood-brain-barrier, truly benefiting people with ADHD
- They increase levels of serotonin, reduce intrusive thoughts, improve cognition, manage mood and anxiety
- It calms the nervous system, improves sleep, manages depression, improves energy levels and also relieves cramps and balances hormones
Potassium gluconate for the ADHD 🧠
- It reduces sensory overstimulation (anxiety)
In conclusion, your ADHD brain needs more vitamins and minerals, not more caffeine. Caffeine depletes serotonin over time and it also depletes zinc, copper, and vitamin A, which are also essential for people with ADHD. It’s only a quick fix for low energy but it ultimately causes an imbalance in nutrients as well as hormones, which altogether wreak havoc in the ADHD brain. It’s mental health awareness month and I am attempting to quit caffeine, just not the caffeine from green tea.
🍋 Disclaimer: I am no dietitian or nutritionist. I just do a lot of independent research. You are responsible for what you consume.
🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋
#adhdinwomen #adhdadult #adhdlife #adhdawareness #embracevulnerability #adhdtips #adhdwomen #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness
When I first heard that caffeine could be making my ADHD symptoms worse, I was skeptical. Like many of you, I thought, 'Caffeine doesn't affect me, it actually helps me focus!' I’d tell myself that coffee and ADHD were a perfect match for getting things done. But after experiencing truly unmanageable PMS symptoms and a complete meltdown, I started connecting the dots. That jittery feeling, the racing thoughts, the sudden irritability – it wasn’t just my ADHD, it was caffeine amplifying everything. One of the biggest eye-openers was understanding the 'caffeine vasoconstrictor' effect. It’s not just a scientific term; it means my brain wasn't getting enough blood flow. For someone with ADHD, whose brain is already working overtime, this felt like trying to run a marathon on low fuel. It explained those nagging headaches and why clear thinking felt even harder. My brain craves oxygen, and caffeine was literally choking it off. It wasn't helping; it was silently sabotaging my cognitive function. Then there’s the sleep aspect – 'caffeine insomnia' is real, even if you think you’re immune. I used to pride myself on being able to drink coffee late and still sleep, but the quality of that sleep was terrible. Poor sleep for an ADHD brain means even worse executive function, memory issues, and emotional meltdowns. It's a vicious cycle where you grab more caffeine to compensate for poor sleep, only to worsen your sleep again. I also noticed physical signs like 'caffeine tremor' in my hands, especially on days I overdid it, which was a clear warning sign from my body. What really hit home was the nutrient depletion. Our ADHD brains already have unique needs. Discovering that caffeine interferes with the absorption of essential minerals like magnesium and iron was a game-changer. I realized I was fighting an uphill battle, trying to support my brain with supplements while simultaneously depleting them with my morning coffee. Magnesium, for instance, is crucial for calming the nervous system and managing anxiety – something many of us with ADHD desperately need. Iron helps with focus and restless thoughts. When caffeine reduces iron absorption by up to 80%, it’s no wonder my inattention and restlessness were through the roof! So, what does caffeine do to people with ADHD? For me, it created an illusion of productivity while systematically undermining my long-term brain health and emotional stability. It was a band-aid that peeled off to reveal deeper wounds. My journey has been about finding sustainable ways to support my brain, not just quick fixes. This means a deliberate focus on nutrient-rich foods, strategic supplementation, and prioritizing quality sleep. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but the calm and clarity I'm starting to experience are worth every step away from that daily caffeine high.
Hmm that’s funny because I too had the opposite reaction to Benadryl. It did initially make me tired and it didn’t take long for it to keep me wide awake. Ive had chronic insomnia since I was a teen and was desperate about 2 years ago so I tried edibles and I took such small bite and the intrusive thoughts got louder