How Does Caffeine Affect People With ADHD?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Is Caffeine a Go-To for Some ADHDers?Caffeine and ADHD: Does It Actually Work?Can You Take Both Caffeine and ADHD Medication?How Caffeine Affects People With ADHD Differently

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Why Is Caffeine a Go-To for Some ADHDers?

Caffeine and ADHD: Does It Actually Work?

Can You Take Both Caffeine and ADHD Medication?

How Caffeine Affects People With ADHD Differently

Close

If you have—or suspect you have—attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), you may wonder about the relationship between caffeine and ADHD. Caffeine is one of the world’s most popular drugs for a reason. Most people love that it helps them feel alert and focused; some simply enjoy it for the taste.

But if you have ADHD, you may be more drawn to it because caffeine and the medications used to treat ADHD all work on yourdopamine system, the reward center in your brain.

At a GlanceThe side effects of ADHD medication can bring plenty of undesired side effects, leaving those with ADHD to search for alternative approaches or complementary supplements. While caffeinecanbe a helpful alternative to medication, it also can have its downfalls—including increased anxiety, being highly addictive (it is a drug, after all), increased heart rate, and potential insomnia.

At a Glance

The side effects of ADHD medication can bring plenty of undesired side effects, leaving those with ADHD to search for alternative approaches or complementary supplements. While caffeinecanbe a helpful alternative to medication, it also can have its downfalls—including increased anxiety, being highly addictive (it is a drug, after all), increased heart rate, and potential insomnia.

What to Know About Caffeine Use

Instead, activating these receptors creates a chain reaction that ultimately produces moreadrenaline, giving us that extra boost of energy and concentration. Similar to other drugs used more recreationally, caffeine also increases the amount of thefeel-good chemical dopaminein the brain.

While caffeinecanbe helpful for those with ADHD, it also has diminishing returns. For example, caffeine canincrease anxiety symptoms.This may actuallydecreaseour ability to concentrate.

Also, as caffeine is a highly addictive substance, it is very possible—and common—for one to develop a tolerance for caffeine, meaning they will need more to get the same effect.

Excess caffeinemay also lead to insomnia, resulting in fatigue. Tiredness can lead to even more issues with concentration. Additionally, coffee may lead to an increase in cortisol,the stress hormone. Elevated levels of cortisol have been associatedwith cognitive issues. Yep, it’s a vicious cycle.

Caffeinemaybe used to manage ADHD, according to some research. Tea,particularly green tea, can be beneficial. It is thought that l-theanine (an amino acid in tea), which helps with anxiety, also increases dopamine in the brain.Fifty percent of people dealing with ADHD also deal with anxiety.

In children, at least, while traditional stimulant medications outperform caffeinein managing ADHD, there is still more of a benefit to using caffeine versus not. Some benefits seen include reduced hyperactivity, increased executive function, and decreased explosiveness.

Caffeine can even calm children with ADHD, paradoxically. Of course, little research exists on the long-term safety of caffeine use in children.

It may also depend on the medication;Ritalin(methylphenidate) appears to be much more effective than caffeine whileAdderall(dextroamphetamine-amphetamine) is not quite as dramatically effective as caffeine.

In the three core characteristics of ADHD (attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity), methylphenidate was more effective than caffeinein reducing only hyperactivity. Amphetamines were more effective than caffeine in reducing both hyperactivityandimpulsivity. Caffeine and medications seem to be about equal in effectiveness for attention.

It is believed that people with ADHD have dysfunction within the dopamine system within their brains,leading many to seek drugs thatwillrelease dopamine. So, it makes sense that people with ADHD would seek caffeine, as it both satisfies those dopamine deficiencies as well as helps with the inattention inherent in ADHD.

“Caffeine [use] can often be an inadvertent or unintentional effort at self-medication in people with ADHD,” saysBrit Barkholtz, MSW, LICSW. Indeed, research provesthat those with undiagnosed ADHD are likely to seek out stimulants to self-medicate, including parents who take their children’s ADHD medication.

An Overview of Stimulants and How They’re Used

Most medications for ADHD, with the exception ofStrattera(atomoxetine), are stimulant medications that speed up the body and brain’s processes; similarly, caffeine is also considered a stimulant drug. Since both of these substances work similarly in the body and brain, the effects of the two combined may be intensified.

Also, both caffeine and ADHD pharmacological stimulants carry high risks of addiction, especially when taken together—and people with ADHD are already at a higher risk of substance use issues. One study puts that risk at three times more thanthose who don’t deal with ADHD. However, those who take medication to help with their ADHD are less likely to develop substance use disorders.

Some of the risks of combining stimulant ADHD medication and caffeine:

Benefits of Caffeine And Medication

A small studyfound that in some cases, at the right dose, caffeine and ADHD medication together may actually have a synergistic effect, managing traits like impulsivity, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity. In these situations, one may even need less of their stimulant medication than previously thought.

In some areas, caffeine affects people with and without ADHD similarly.However, where these paths diverge is how caffeine affects overall functioning. In one study,children with ADHD had greater improvement with caffeine than those who didn’t have ADHD. Caffeine also seemed to make the kids with ADHD happier than it did the kids who didn’t have ADHD.

Stereotypes exist of both people with ADHD and people who use caffeine bouncing off the walls, but if you have other ADHD traits and you find caffeine has more of a calming and focusing effect on you than an energizing effect, that could be worth looking into, says Barkholtz.

What This Means For YouCaffeine affectseveryonedifferently, particularly those with ADHD, so consult with your healthcare provider to see if caffeine use is appropriate for you or your child. If you are already using caffeine or stimulant medications,don’tstop without talking to your doctor, aswithdrawal symptomsmay occur.

What This Means For You

Caffeine affectseveryonedifferently, particularly those with ADHD, so consult with your healthcare provider to see if caffeine use is appropriate for you or your child. If you are already using caffeine or stimulant medications,don’tstop without talking to your doctor, aswithdrawal symptomsmay occur.

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16 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nehlig A, Daval JL, Debry G.Caffeine and the central nervous system: mechanisms of action, biochemical, metabolic and psychostimulant effects.Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 1992;17(2):139-170.Broderick P, Benjamin AB.Caffeine and psychiatric symptoms: a review.J Okla State Med Assoc. 2004;97(12):538-542.Cappelletti S, Piacentino D, Daria P, Sani G, Aromatario M.Caffeine: cognitive and physical performance enhancer or psychoactive drug?Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(1):71-88.Papakonstantinou E, Kechribari I, Sotirakoglou Κ, et al.Acute effects of coffee consumption on self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms, blood pressure and stress indices in healthy individuals.Nutrition Journal. 2016;15.Echouffo-Tcheugui JB, Conner SC, Himali JJ, et al.Circulating cortisol and cognitive and structural brain measures: The Framingham Heart Study.Neurology. 2018;91(21):e1961-e1970.Liu K, Liang X, Kuang W.Tea consumption maybe an effective active treatment for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Adhd).Med Hypotheses. 2011;76(4):461-463.Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach. BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3Eileen OC. A SIP into dangerous territory.Monitor on Psychology.Leon MR.Effects of caffeine on cognitive, psychomotor, and affective performance of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.J Atten Disord. 2000;4(1):27-47. doi:10.1177/108705470000400103Schnackenberg RC.Caffeine as a substitute for Schedule II stimulants in hyperkinetic children.Am J Psychiatry. 1973;130(7):796-798. doi:10.1176/ajp.130.7.796Blum K, Chen ALC, Braverman ER, et al.Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and reward deficiency syndrome.Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2008;4(5):893.Daubner J, Arshaad MI, Henseler C, et al.Pharmacological neuroenhancement: current aspects of categorization, epidemiology, pharmacology, drug development, ethics, and future perspectives. Mangel SC, ed.Neural Plasticity. 2021;2021:1-27.Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, et al.The prevalence and correlates of adult adhd in the united states: results from the national comorbidity survey replication.Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163(4):716-723.Biederman J.Pharmacotherapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) decreases the risk for substance abuse: findings from a longitudinal follow-up of youths with and without ADHD.J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64 Suppl 11:3-8.Meredith SE, Juliano LM, Hughes JR, Griffiths RR.Caffeine use disorder: a comprehensive review and research agenda. Journal of Caffeine Research. 2013;3(3):114. doi:10.1089/jcr.2013.0016Barry DG, Christopher DW, Sloman L.Responses to methylphenidate and varied doses of caffeine in children with attention deficit disorder.Can J Psychiatry. 1981;26(6):395-401. doi:10.1177/070674378102600602

16 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nehlig A, Daval JL, Debry G.Caffeine and the central nervous system: mechanisms of action, biochemical, metabolic and psychostimulant effects.Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 1992;17(2):139-170.Broderick P, Benjamin AB.Caffeine and psychiatric symptoms: a review.J Okla State Med Assoc. 2004;97(12):538-542.Cappelletti S, Piacentino D, Daria P, Sani G, Aromatario M.Caffeine: cognitive and physical performance enhancer or psychoactive drug?Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(1):71-88.Papakonstantinou E, Kechribari I, Sotirakoglou Κ, et al.Acute effects of coffee consumption on self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms, blood pressure and stress indices in healthy individuals.Nutrition Journal. 2016;15.Echouffo-Tcheugui JB, Conner SC, Himali JJ, et al.Circulating cortisol and cognitive and structural brain measures: The Framingham Heart Study.Neurology. 2018;91(21):e1961-e1970.Liu K, Liang X, Kuang W.Tea consumption maybe an effective active treatment for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Adhd).Med Hypotheses. 2011;76(4):461-463.Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach. BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3Eileen OC. A SIP into dangerous territory.Monitor on Psychology.Leon MR.Effects of caffeine on cognitive, psychomotor, and affective performance of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.J Atten Disord. 2000;4(1):27-47. doi:10.1177/108705470000400103Schnackenberg RC.Caffeine as a substitute for Schedule II stimulants in hyperkinetic children.Am J Psychiatry. 1973;130(7):796-798. doi:10.1176/ajp.130.7.796Blum K, Chen ALC, Braverman ER, et al.Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and reward deficiency syndrome.Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2008;4(5):893.Daubner J, Arshaad MI, Henseler C, et al.Pharmacological neuroenhancement: current aspects of categorization, epidemiology, pharmacology, drug development, ethics, and future perspectives. Mangel SC, ed.Neural Plasticity. 2021;2021:1-27.Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, et al.The prevalence and correlates of adult adhd in the united states: results from the national comorbidity survey replication.Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163(4):716-723.Biederman J.Pharmacotherapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) decreases the risk for substance abuse: findings from a longitudinal follow-up of youths with and without ADHD.J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64 Suppl 11:3-8.Meredith SE, Juliano LM, Hughes JR, Griffiths RR.Caffeine use disorder: a comprehensive review and research agenda. Journal of Caffeine Research. 2013;3(3):114. doi:10.1089/jcr.2013.0016Barry DG, Christopher DW, Sloman L.Responses to methylphenidate and varied doses of caffeine in children with attention deficit disorder.Can J Psychiatry. 1981;26(6):395-401. doi:10.1177/070674378102600602

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Nehlig A, Daval JL, Debry G.Caffeine and the central nervous system: mechanisms of action, biochemical, metabolic and psychostimulant effects.Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 1992;17(2):139-170.Broderick P, Benjamin AB.Caffeine and psychiatric symptoms: a review.J Okla State Med Assoc. 2004;97(12):538-542.Cappelletti S, Piacentino D, Daria P, Sani G, Aromatario M.Caffeine: cognitive and physical performance enhancer or psychoactive drug?Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(1):71-88.Papakonstantinou E, Kechribari I, Sotirakoglou Κ, et al.Acute effects of coffee consumption on self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms, blood pressure and stress indices in healthy individuals.Nutrition Journal. 2016;15.Echouffo-Tcheugui JB, Conner SC, Himali JJ, et al.Circulating cortisol and cognitive and structural brain measures: The Framingham Heart Study.Neurology. 2018;91(21):e1961-e1970.Liu K, Liang X, Kuang W.Tea consumption maybe an effective active treatment for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Adhd).Med Hypotheses. 2011;76(4):461-463.Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach. BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3Eileen OC. A SIP into dangerous territory.Monitor on Psychology.Leon MR.Effects of caffeine on cognitive, psychomotor, and affective performance of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.J Atten Disord. 2000;4(1):27-47. doi:10.1177/108705470000400103Schnackenberg RC.Caffeine as a substitute for Schedule II stimulants in hyperkinetic children.Am J Psychiatry. 1973;130(7):796-798. doi:10.1176/ajp.130.7.796Blum K, Chen ALC, Braverman ER, et al.Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and reward deficiency syndrome.Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2008;4(5):893.Daubner J, Arshaad MI, Henseler C, et al.Pharmacological neuroenhancement: current aspects of categorization, epidemiology, pharmacology, drug development, ethics, and future perspectives. Mangel SC, ed.Neural Plasticity. 2021;2021:1-27.Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, et al.The prevalence and correlates of adult adhd in the united states: results from the national comorbidity survey replication.Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163(4):716-723.Biederman J.Pharmacotherapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) decreases the risk for substance abuse: findings from a longitudinal follow-up of youths with and without ADHD.J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64 Suppl 11:3-8.Meredith SE, Juliano LM, Hughes JR, Griffiths RR.Caffeine use disorder: a comprehensive review and research agenda. Journal of Caffeine Research. 2013;3(3):114. doi:10.1089/jcr.2013.0016Barry DG, Christopher DW, Sloman L.Responses to methylphenidate and varied doses of caffeine in children with attention deficit disorder.Can J Psychiatry. 1981;26(6):395-401. doi:10.1177/070674378102600602

Nehlig A, Daval JL, Debry G.Caffeine and the central nervous system: mechanisms of action, biochemical, metabolic and psychostimulant effects.Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 1992;17(2):139-170.

Broderick P, Benjamin AB.Caffeine and psychiatric symptoms: a review.J Okla State Med Assoc. 2004;97(12):538-542.

Cappelletti S, Piacentino D, Daria P, Sani G, Aromatario M.Caffeine: cognitive and physical performance enhancer or psychoactive drug?Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(1):71-88.

Papakonstantinou E, Kechribari I, Sotirakoglou Κ, et al.Acute effects of coffee consumption on self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms, blood pressure and stress indices in healthy individuals.Nutrition Journal. 2016;15.

Echouffo-Tcheugui JB, Conner SC, Himali JJ, et al.Circulating cortisol and cognitive and structural brain measures: The Framingham Heart Study.Neurology. 2018;91(21):e1961-e1970.

Liu K, Liang X, Kuang W.Tea consumption maybe an effective active treatment for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Adhd).Med Hypotheses. 2011;76(4):461-463.

Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach. BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3

Eileen OC. A SIP into dangerous territory.Monitor on Psychology.

Leon MR.Effects of caffeine on cognitive, psychomotor, and affective performance of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.J Atten Disord. 2000;4(1):27-47. doi:10.1177/108705470000400103

Schnackenberg RC.Caffeine as a substitute for Schedule II stimulants in hyperkinetic children.Am J Psychiatry. 1973;130(7):796-798. doi:10.1176/ajp.130.7.796

Blum K, Chen ALC, Braverman ER, et al.Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and reward deficiency syndrome.Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2008;4(5):893.

Daubner J, Arshaad MI, Henseler C, et al.Pharmacological neuroenhancement: current aspects of categorization, epidemiology, pharmacology, drug development, ethics, and future perspectives. Mangel SC, ed.Neural Plasticity. 2021;2021:1-27.

Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, et al.The prevalence and correlates of adult adhd in the united states: results from the national comorbidity survey replication.Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163(4):716-723.

Biederman J.Pharmacotherapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) decreases the risk for substance abuse: findings from a longitudinal follow-up of youths with and without ADHD.J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64 Suppl 11:3-8.

Meredith SE, Juliano LM, Hughes JR, Griffiths RR.Caffeine use disorder: a comprehensive review and research agenda. Journal of Caffeine Research. 2013;3(3):114. doi:10.1089/jcr.2013.0016

Barry DG, Christopher DW, Sloman L.Responses to methylphenidate and varied doses of caffeine in children with attention deficit disorder.Can J Psychiatry. 1981;26(6):395-401. doi:10.1177/070674378102600602

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