Natural Treatment for ADD/ADHD - Is it possible ? Overview and Comparison to Drug Treatment

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity(!).

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Signs and Symptoms

A person is diagnosed with ADHD if they have at least 6 symptoms from the following categories, lasting for at least 2 months. In diagnosing children, the symptoms must appear before age 7, and pose a significant challenge to everyday functioning in at least 2 areas of life (usually home and school). Most children do not show all the symptoms, and they may be different in boys and girls (boys may be more hyperactive and girls more inattentive).

• Inattention
• Fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
• Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
• Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish tasks
• Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as school work)
• Loses things needed for tasks or activities
• Is easily distracted
• Is forgetful in daily activities
• Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
• Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms when seated
• Does not remain seated when expected to
• Runs or climbs excessively in inappropriate situations (in teens or adults, may be feelings of restlessness)
• Has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
• Acts as if "driven by a motor"
• Talks excessively
• Blurts out answers before questions are completed
• Has difficulty waiting his or her turn
• Interrupts or intrudes on others

Current treatment of Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD) consists of stimulant medication aimed at restoring dopaminergic function . Interestingly, a stimulant may, in some cases also further hyperactivity issues - although the notion that stimulants "balance out" ADD sufferers is well-accepted.

The current hypothesis and / or conclusions that medical science and neuropharmacological publications have elaborated on - is that ADD/ADHD sufferer's have alterations in dopamine and norepinephrine transporter activity which often results in increased recylcling of neurotransmitters and thus less efficiency for one to use them(!)(!). 

In simpler terms, and also outlined with the picture below, a normal brain will utilize dopamine and it will stay in the synapse a specific amount of time - whereas an ADD/ADHD sufferer uses up the dopamine/norepinephrine too quickly , because the increased levels of transporters are quickly moving it out of the synapse (which is considered a measure of overall neurotransmission and activity).

Additionally, norepinephrine levels may be elevated but poorly used, which may be responsible for the common comorbidity of anxiety disorders with ADHD. Interestingly, the NET (norepinephrine transporter) is also capable of itself binding to and inactivating dopamine in the frontal cortex(!), exclusively - meaning although the NET mainly recycles the norepinephrine neurotransmitter, it can also in that one area of the brain (but not elsewhere) recycle dopamine!

This explains why NET inhibition produces positive effects in the affected, despite the capacity to increase anxiety - because it results in an extra dopamine boost in the prefrontal cortex, an area highly associated with both cognitive and attention disorders. Thus balancing out the rush! (dopamine has inhibitory or calming effects as well)

THE PROBLEM with current pharmaceutical medications for ADD/ADHD goes well beyond the reports and concerns of "stunted growth" - current studies are identifying that long-term use of ADHD/ADD stimulant medications actually INCREASE dopamine transporter mRNA - which as mentioned before, the whole purpose is to DECREASE the activity of this transporter (!).

Therefore , current drug treatments lack in efficacy and effects wear off after continuous treatment. 

BUT, to make matters worse, they are also associated with a number of disturbing side-effects.

•                                                  SLEEP PROBLEMS
• mood swings
• loss of appetite
• heart problems
• suicidal thoughts or actions

All or most of these side-effects come from the fact that all this stimulation comes in such a short-period of time, and as the body gets stimulated - a compensatory effort is made by the body to "normalize" or lessen the amount of stimulation - so therefore, the body actually does the opposite in response of the medication, over time.

How do we BYPASS this?

One plausible option is to use a natural reuptake inhibitor that doesn't bind as quickly or as fast - and thus doesn't force the body into negative feedback.

I recommend a product called  PSORALEA CORYLIFOLIA; a natural dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor(!).

Additionally, because this product "presses the buttons a little lighter" it is ideal for those who have become tolerant to their ADHD Medication/s, and the product also has a second benefit; inhibiting the breakdown of neurotransmitter at the enzymatic/systemic level.

Finally, the herb is also NEURO-PROTECTIVE instead of neuro-degradative like drugs are, meaning, instead of causing the loss of brain cells with time of treatment, this will actually increase them and their resistance to degradation.(!)

                                                                  
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Another alternative remedy for ADHD/ADD would be FLOWERING QUINCE; also known as MU GUA!  

This herb is a natural DOPAMINE REUPTAKE INHIBITOR (!) - with a high potency but has virtually no affinity for NET/Norepinephrine transporter - ----- --- and thus less stimulatory or ANXIOGENIC (anxiety provoking) effects.

You can buy it with the link below from amazon, this one can be easily steeped in tea, or put with juice, as it does not have a bad taste - and tastes a bit like a cross between a plum and an apple.

Here's a discussion below on FQ  

Re: Quince DARI - Confirmation: this stuff works

Here's a discussion on a popular health/science forum called longecity where a well-respected member recommend's the herb.

                                                                     

**SIMILAR ARTICLES/CITATIONS**

8 Ways to Treat ADHD Naturally

5 Natural Remedies for ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children

Upregulating Dopamine Receptors - ADHD problem