Is Caffeine Affecting attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
There’s hardly a person out there who hasn’t used caffeine, and who from time to time, has had too much of it. The outcome? Many times people indicate experiencing jitters, hyperactivity, and anxiety if they have used too much. That is because caffeine performs exactly as an amphetamine!
For people who intake to high a quantity, they report the results of being attentive and energized.
So if caffeine can act just like an amphetamine, can it be taken to treat ADHD symptoms?
The answers are mixed.
A series of studies have been executed to solve this mystery and the results are not clear in one direction or the other. Many trials contend that the consuming of caffeine caused ADDers to be less agressive, less impulsive, more focused, and results in improved motor skills. When teachers and parents were asked, they thought caffeine was equally as powerful as taking Ritalin.
Still other studies have proven that the combination of Ritalin and caffeine gave the best benefit.
So, you might be thinking these results don’t seem all that bad. But think of this. No person responds to caffeine in the precise way as the next person. You can’t predict who may benefit and who may be harmed by giving caffeine.
In truth, many scientists tabulate the results of attention deficit children on tests that analyze overactivity and focus. As this tally is averaged, it makes the overall positives look void or minimal.
Unfortunately, it does not take into account the children who are drastically effected.
The quantity of caffeine digested when you have attention hyperactivity disorder will make a change in how you respond, and it appears that the more you consume, the worse you react!
Let us also keep in mind that the quantity of caffeine you intake is also related to lack of sleep and caffeine addiction!
This cannot be a positive thing!
A low dose of caffeine is thought to be about 158-160 milligrams. Look at the following list and see how quickly you can reach that level.
*Coke has 23 mgs. in 8 ounces
- Diet Coke has 31 mgs. in 8 ounces
- Brewed tea has 20-35 mgs. as instant tea products on average have 10-30 mgs. in 8 ounces
- Chocolate milk has 5 mgs in 8 ounces
- Semi-sweet chocolate (think chocolate chip cookies) has 5-35 mgs. in 1 ounce
If you are a normal adult, you probably drink several caffeinated beverages a day, so it doesn’t take long before you have overdone it. For children that threshold is even lower.
No one is saying you must give caffeine up. But if your child or you suffer from attention deficit, you should not be ignorant of the fact that caffeine could have dramatic effects on your focus.
Just because you think it really limits the negative behaviors, and increases focus, the correct amount of how much caffeine is the correct amount will vary from time to time.
So don’t let yourself be fooled into thinking caffeine is a safe alternative to treat ADHD symptoms.
