As someone who is in a constant battle with long to-do lists, there are many times when I wish I had a magical power drink that would push me to get through it all, especially during that afternoon slump when every task seems impossible to complete. If you can relate, then you have probably done your research and know that the magic “brain pill” actually exists – it called Adderall. We’re on a mission to find the best natural substitutes for Adderall to keep you on your toes.
About Adderall
Adderall is mainly an ADHD medication that is composed of amphetamine salts. Drugs like Adderall directly impact your central nervous system to enhance your brain function. It helps improve focus by helping you get rid of brain fog and any signs of fatigue. Suddenly, you become focused for long hours without interruptions or distractions, allowing you to achieve many tasks throughout the day. However, this all comes at a cost.
If you don’t know yet, consuming Adderall without a prescription can cause many health risks that Millennials are now choosing to overlook because they want to increase their productivity at work or simply to have higher energy levels during a night out.
The side effects of Adderall can go from mild to severe, depending on each patient and their intake.
Generally, Adderall is most commonly associated with side effects that include weight loss, constipation, nausea, lack of appetite and sleep, dryness, headaches, and increased levels of anxiety.
As for the serious short term side effects, they can involve depression, irritability, hallucinations, and aggressive behavior, and may even lead to a muscle breakdown.
The U.S National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, stated in a report that the amphetamines found in Adderall can lead to severe insomnia, in addition to cardiac and gastrointestinal effects.
Of course, you can’t get Adderall legally without a prescription, and we don’t encourage it either. Thankfully there are some natural substitutes for Adderall without all the negative side effects. This leads us to the quest after substances that boost your energy without affecting your health negatively.
Other than improving your focus levels, Adderall can also stimulate your creativity and brain function. Therefore, we made a list of vitamins and supplements you can take to have similar effects of Adderall, without any negative side effects on your health. And don’t worry, our list does not include caffeine.
Natural Substitutes
1. Protein
If you are looking for help concentrating, it can easily be found in the amino acids provided by proteins.
Protein’s amino acids have a direct impact on the neurotransmitters in the brain, helping you improve your ability to focus for long hours without the struggle.
You can get your supply of protein naturally in food, in capsules or powder. Just make sure to respect the daily dose of 500 mg after meals, in the case of supplements.
2. Omega 3
Adderall is popular for its effect on your brain function by sharpening your ability to focus and improved memory. It helps you become more effective and productive in your work or studies. Luckily, Omega 3 fatty acids can have similar effects, with more health benefits to your body.
To get the most out of the effects of omega 3, you should increase your daily intake of these fatty acids to reach 2,500 mg at least. For perspective, just one serving of salmon contains over 4,000 mg of Omega 3s, enough to meet your daily needs.
Be it through supplements or food such as fish or chia seeds, you will definitely notice the difference in your performance shortly afterward.
3. Magnesium
Say goodbye to sleep disturbances and insomnia, and make your body and mind more relaxed than ever with magnesium supplements.
Magnesium does not only help you fight restlessness and hyperactivity, but it can also boost your focus and calmness throughout the day. This supplement will allow you to tackle your tasks smoothly without stress or anxiety. Zinc can also contribute to your brain health by improving your cognitive function and mental performance.
4. Zinc
We all find ourselves in situations where we are daydreaming, instead of staying concentrated on the tasks at hand. Zinc is your ultimate solution to put an end to this problem. It can help you make the most of your time, being productive rather than distracted.
You can take up to 20 milligrams of zinc every day, either through supplements or foods. Nutrient-rich foods like beef or kidney beans are a great source of this vitamin. Zinc will be sure to increase your concentration levels while reducing your impulsiveness at the same time. An ideal win-win solution, isn’t it?
5. Cacao
Enhancing creativity: one of the major reasons why we consume Adderall or coffee one cup after the other!
Depending on Adderall to boost your creativity should no longer be an option, especially when you have a healthier and more delicious ingredient at your disposal: Cacao.
There is so much variety of ways to consume cacao. Try adding it to your smoothie, or keep a bar of chocolate nearby. Cacao will provide you with the creative boost you need for the most challenging tasks.
Brain Fuel and Mindfulness
With many natural alternatives for Adderall, you can take to keep your body in its healthiest state; it’s a no-brainer that exploring natural sources of brain fuel is the way to go. We recommend using these 5 nutrients to tackle any concentration challenges you face every day.
To make the effects of these supplements more effective, try including mindfulness. Yoga and meditation are considered to be highly effective when treating ADHD or coping with addictions and drug abuse.
Dedicating 10 minutes every day for yoga or meditation, paired with these 5 nutrients will increase your performance, productivity, and boost your focus levels without hastiness.
Kaitlyn is the Owner and Founder of THE SOWELL. She is a digital marketing expert and writer with 4 years…
