ADHD Alternative Remedies: The 8 Magic Powders In My Focus Potion

Did you know ADHD is overrepresented at both extremes of society? You'll find it disproportionately among highly successful entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators. But you'll also find it among those struggling with addiction, unemployment, and incarceration.

Those at the top found ways to harness and direct their ADHD traits, turning potential weaknesses into superpowers. And I was heading straight for the bottom.

How I turned my ADHD curse into a blessing

ADHD ruined my life. But I used that as motivation to turn my life around in 6 months. What I found is so easy to follow that I just had to make a blog and share it. That would never have happened 6 months ago. It might sound weird, but now that I know how to control it, I'm grateful to have ADHD.

Here's a little background:

For as long as I can remember, my undiagnosed ADHD has turned my life into a constant struggle. Teachers called me a daydreamer while my parents complained about my gaming addiction – but nobody ever connected the dots.

I was a slave to my impulses, my emotional stability was non-existent, and I couldn't sleep as a result. When my responsibilities piled up as I got older, so did my stress levels.

But my head was always bursting with new ideas. I used to get excited until I noticed the pattern. I had never stuck to one thing long enough to make it real. After that, ideas just felt like mirages – a mockery of what my life could be if I didn't have ADHD. (I didn't know these idea storms are one of the perks of having ADHD if you learn how to execute.)

And one day, my ever-supporting girlfriend, who had believed in me for years, finally gave up and left because I couldn't provide fundamental financial responsibility.

That was my wake-up call — she was my everything and I had to prove she could rely on me. Give her reason to believe what I say. God knows she wanted to. Night after night, I'd lie in bed with a pounding heart, wondering what the hell was wrong with me.

But that all changed...

The turning-point

I finally sought therapy and was lucky enough to be paired with somebody who changed my life: "Many of these problems you're describing are common in people with ADHD. I diagnose children but could always run a screening test on you."

It turned out that he was right. After a couple of months, I was diagnosed. But I had to wait 3 more months to get the medication, methylphenidate, the magic potion I was told would make my life easier.

One day, I finally got it. Initially, it did help me gain control over certain aspects of my life, but the side effects soon became unbearable. Anxiety crept in, sleep became even more elusive, and I found myself trading one set of problems for another. I found myself hopeless, in a seemingly bottomless pit.

But after spending around 6 months of trial and error, I'm getting closer and closer to being the person I was supposed to be. I'm motivated, focused, calm and happy. Suddenly, I feel like anything is possible.

My 8 Secret Ingredients of My ADHD Potion

So far, I've found 8 but will keep adding to this list as I go.

DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice. Also, we all have unique brain chemistry, so what works for me might not work exactly the same for you. The last thing I want to do is to get your hopes up. But these eight natural "potions" made such a profound difference in my life that I believe they're worth sharing. I felt the benefits quickly, sometimes within hours.

NOTE: This is not "how to cure ADHD" – it's about unleashing your potential. Daydreaming, creativity, and divergent thinking are all part of who we are. It's not a disorder. But it can be very disorderly if we don't control it.

The 8 alternative remedies that unlocked the magic of my ADHD:

1. Methylene Blue: The Clarity Elixir

Methylene Blue might sound like something from a chemistry lab rather than a supplement shelf, but this compound has been used medically for over a century. While it was initially invented as a dye, it turned out to have transformative effects on the mitochondria as an electron recycler that – in essence – transforms bumpy neural pathways into "highways." For my ADHD brain, that's been transformative.

This vivid blue liquid works by enhancing mitochondrial function - essentially helping your brain cells produce energy more efficiently. It gives me mental clarity that feels like fog lifting and steady energy levels throughout the day rather than the peaks and crashes I used to experience.

Within hours, I noticed a clearer, calmer mind. Within a week, I could sustain attention on complex tasks without the mental fatigue that used to send me searching for distractions. It was like someone had cleaned my mental windshield - everything just seemed clearer and more manageable.

I take a carefully measured dose of pharmaceutical-grade Methylene Blue (the only type that should be used) each morning as part of my daily potion. The typical dosage range is 0.5-4mg per kilogram of body weight, but I started very low and worked up slowly. This isn't something to experiment with casually - it's important to source it correctly and understand the proper dosing and potential interactions.

Check the concentration before you take it. I take a 1% solution.

My personal dose: As a man of 90 kg, I started with 10 drops (5 ml). Now, I take 20 drops (10 ml).

WORD OF WARNING: This is a powerful MAO-inhibitor never to be taken with SSRI. Otherwise, it's safe in the recommended individual doses. Please look up yours before trying it.

I dive deeper into Methylene Blue here

2. Taurine: The Sleeping Powder

Sleep had been my nemesis for years - lying awake with racing thoughts no matter how exhausted my body felt. Taurine changed that almost overnight.

This amino acid acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, essentially helping to quiet the constant chatter in the ADHD brain. It promotes GABA production, which induces relaxation and helps transition to sleep.

Before taurine, I dreaded bedtime. Now, I actually look forward to it. While many take it about an hour before bed, I like to take it in the morning for a calmer and more controlled mind. The effect is gentle but unmistakable - when my mind gradually quiets, I can have the kind of day that helps me sleep like a baby – without the hangover effect of sleep medications.

The quality of my sleep improved dramatically too. I wake feeling genuinely refreshed rather than dragging myself out of bed. This improved sleep has had cascading benefits for my focus, mood, and resilience the following day.

I have recommended this to other people with sleep issues, too. One of them was so surprised he called me up the next day: "What the heck did you give me yesterday? I slept like a log."

My personal dose: 10g in the morning

Want to know more about taurine and ADHD? I write more about it here.

3. L-Theanine: The Calm Focus Powder

If I had to choose just one supplement from this list, L-Theanine might be it. This amino acid found in green tea creates a state I can only describe as "calm focus" - something the ADHD brain rarely experiences naturally.

Unlike stimulants that can make you feel wired, L-Theanine promotes alpha brain waves, the same state achieved during meditation. But here's the magic - it doesn't cause drowsiness. Instead, it takes the edge off anxiety while allowing you to remain fully alert and focused.

I take 200-400mg as part of my morning potion, and often another dose in the afternoon. The effect is subtle but profound - colors seem a bit brighter, conversations easier to follow, and tasks that would normally scatter my attention become manageable.

L-Theanine pairs beautifully with caffeine, removing the jitters while enhancing the focus benefits. This combination has replaced my need for prescription stimulants, giving me the focus I need without the harsh side effects that often come with treating ADHD with medication.

I'll dive more deeply into L-Theanine here

4. L-Tyrosine: The Master Key of Dopamine

L-Tyrosine is often called "over-the-counter-adderall" for good reason...

ADHD at its core involves the dysregulation of dopamine, the neurotransmitter involved in motivation, reward, and focus. L-Tyrosine serves as a direct precursor to dopamine, essentially providing the raw building materials your brain needs to create the key to getting things done.

Adding this to my morning potion was like turning up the volume on my motivation. Tasks that used to feel impossibly boring became approachable. My ability to start and stick with projects improved dramatically, and the paralysis that often came with complex tasks diminished.

This isn't a stimulant or a drug - it's simply giving your brain the amino acid it needs to produce adequate dopamine naturally. The difference is remarkable but feels natural, not forced or artificial like stimulant medications often can. Many ADHD brains respond wonderfully to L-Tyrosine, making it one of my most essential ADHD alternative remedies.

My personal dose: I take 2.5 grams first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

I'll dive deeper into L-Tyrosine here

5. L-Citrulline: The Flow Enhancer

L-Citrulline might be the least known supplement on this list, but its effects on my ADHD have been remarkable. This amino acid works primarily by increasing nitric oxide production, which improves blood flow throughout the body - including, crucially, to the brain.

For those of us with ADHD, optimal blood flow to the prefrontal cortex (the brain's executive control center) is essential for maintaining focus and making decisions. When I added L-Citrulline to my morning potion, I noticed a distinct improvement in my mental stamina and clarity, especially during long work sessions.

The effect feels like a gentle lifting of brain fog rather than a stimulating push. Tasks that required sustained mental effort became less taxing, and I found myself able to stay in a flow state for much longer periods.

My personal dose: I take about 3-6 grams each morning, and sometimes another dose before particularly demanding mental tasks. The powder can be tart, but mixed into my morning drink alongside other supplements, it's barely noticeable.

I dive deeper into L-citrulline for ADHD here

6. Creatine: The Endurance Powder

Most people associate creatine with bodybuilding, but this natural compound has profound effects on brain energy as well. The brain is an energy-hungry organ, and for those of us with ADHD, energy regulation is often a significant challenge.

Creatine helps by recycling ATP, the primary energy currency of cells. For my ADHD brain, this translated to remarkable improvements in mental endurance and consistent focus, especially during those afternoon hours when my mind would typically start wandering.

I began noticing the effects about two weeks after adding 5 grams to my daily morning potion. Complex tasks that would normally drain my mental energy became more manageable. The difference was especially noticeable on days with back-to-back meetings or extended writing sessions - instead of feeling mentally depleted, I maintained clarity and focus.

Another unexpected benefit was improved verbal fluency. Finding the right words had sometimes been challenging for me, but with creatine, my thoughts-to-speech pipeline seemed to flow more smoothly. This improvement in mental performance made creatine an essential part of my natural approach to treating ADHD without stimulants.

My personal dose: I take 10g first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

If you want to learn more about Creatine and it's effect on ADHD, click here

7. Ashwagandha: The Stress Shield

The final component in my ADHD management arsenal addresses not just focus but the underlying stress that often accompanies living with an ADHD brain. Ashwagandha, an ancient adaptogenic herb, has been the perfect complement to the more directly cognitive-enhancing supplements in my regimen.

Living with ADHD often means living with constant stress - the stress of missed deadlines, forgotten commitments, and the perpetual feeling that you're underperforming relative to your potential. This chronic stress creates a vicious cycle, as elevated cortisol levels further impair executive function.

Ashwagandha works by helping to normalize cortisol levels and supporting your body's resilience to stress. For me, this translated to a noticeable sense of calm and groundedness that made implementing other ADHD management strategies much easier.

I take about 600mg of a high-quality extract (standardized to contain at least 5% withanolides) with my morning potion. The effects built gradually over several weeks, but eventually I noticed I was responding to stressful situations with unusual equanimity. The constant background anxiety that had been my companion for decades gradually faded.

This stress reduction had cascading benefits for my ADHD symptoms. With less mental and physical tension, my attention naturally became more flexible and less prone to hyperfixation on worries or perceived threats.

My personal dose: 2 capsules of KSM66 Ashwagandha, 1 morning and 1 night.

Want to know more about Ashwagandha's effects on ADHD? Read more here

8. Lion's Mane Mushroom: The Memory Restorer

In my quest for natural ADHD remedies, Lion's Mane mushroom emerged as a truly magical ally, particularly for boosting memory and mental clarity - areas where my ADHD brain often struggled.

Unlike many supplements that work through immediate neurochemical changes, Lion's Mane operates on a deeper, more regenerative level. This remarkable fungus contains compounds called hericenones and erinacines that stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which helps repair, regenerate and protect brain cells.

For my ADHD management, the effects were subtle but profound. After about three weeks of consistent use, I noticed my recall becoming sharper and more reliable. Those frustrating moments of forgetting what I was doing mid-task became less frequent. Even more impressively, my verbal fluency improved - finding the right words during conversations became easier, with fewer tip-of-the-tongue moments.

Studies suggest that Lion's Mane may help protect against dementia and cognitive decline, but I found its benefits valuable even for my relatively young brain. The cognitive enhancement felt different from stimulants - instead of forcing focus through heightened arousal, Lion's Mane seemed to improve the underlying neural hardware, making focus come more naturally.

An unexpected benefit was its apparent effect on my anxiety levels. Lion's Mane has been shown to help relieve mild symptoms of depression and anxiety, and I noticed a gentle lift in my mood alongside the cognitive improvements. This emotional regulation support made it easier to stay on task when facing challenging work.

I take 1000-2000mg of Lion's Mane extract (standardized to contain at least 30% beta-glucans) with my morning potion. The powder has a mild, slightly earthy taste that blends easily with other ingredients. I make sure to choose a supplement that specifies it contains both fruiting bodies and mycelium for the full spectrum of beneficial compounds.

As with all my magical remedies, consistency proved key. The effects built gradually over weeks rather than providing an immediate boost. But the patience paid off - Lion's Mane has become an essential component in my natural ADHD management approach, supporting both cognitive function and emotional balance without the side effects of pharmaceutical options.

This enchanted mushroom pairs particularly well with L-Theanine in my experience, creating a synergistic effect that enhances both calm and clarity. Together, they've helped me rediscover memories and thoughts that once seemed lost in the ADHD fog, like treasures waiting to be reclaimed from an enchanted forest.

My personal dose: 5 g in the morning

Want to read more about Lion's Mane for ADHD? I dive deeper into it here

NEXT STEPS: Brewing Your Personal ADHD Potion

Finding the right combination of supplements for your unique ADHD brain requires patience and careful observation. If you wish to explore them one by one, this is the order I recommend based on my experience. Since most of these are amino acids, it won't take long to know if they make a difference for you.

1. Ashwagandha: Since this is the slowest to take full effect (up to 8 weeks, but noticeable after 1-3) I recommend you start with this one while you get everything else right. By the time you feel the difference of the Ashwagandha, you'll have everything else in place.
2. Lion's Mane: This is the second slowest, and you should introduce it by the same time you feel the first effects of the Ashwagandha.
3. L-Tyrosine: Since this has to be transformed into dopamine, it might take slightly longer than the other amino acids to take effect.
4. L-Theanine: Not unlike caffeine, L-theanine's effects are immediate but calmer.
5. Taurine: If you're like me, the lack of sleep makes everything else much harder and you will feel the benefits that same night.
6. Creatine: Makes it easier to perform even when you're not well rested.
7. L-Citrulline: Increases blood flow to unleash the effects of everything else.
8. Methylene Blue: Once you have everything tweaked and under control, you can unleash your untapped energy with methylene blue. WARNING: Never combine Methylene Blue with SSRI, since it might lead to Seratonin Syndrome (seratonin overload).

TBut finding the right combination of supplements for your unique ADHD brain requires patience and careful observation. This is how I found these 8 magical tweaks:

1. Start slowly and individually: Introduce one supplement at a time, starting with a low dose and observing effects for at least a week before adding another. This helps you identify which supplements work best for your specific needs.
2. Keep a magical logbook: Document everything—when you take each supplement, dosages, effects (both positive and negative), sleep quality, and overall mood. Patterns will emerge that help you optimize your regimen.
3. Respect timing and interactions: Some supplements work better on an empty stomach, others with food. Some have synergistic effects when taken together, while others may compete for absorption. Research each carefully.
4. Quality matters immensely: With supplements, you truly get what you pay for. Seek pharmaceutical-grade options when possible, especially for something as potent as Methylene Blue.
5. Consult healing practitioners: While these supplements are generally safe, always discuss your plans with healthcare providers, especially if you take medications or have underlying health conditions.

Meet your real self in 2 months?

Six months into my journey with these natural ADHD remedies, my life has transformed in ways I never thought possible. The brain that once felt like my greatest limitation now feels like my greatest asset. But most of this time has been spent tweaking my potion. I don't feel like a new person, it feels like I just became myself.

Your journey may look different from mine. Perhaps only some of these remedies will resonate with your unique neurochemistry. Maybe you'll discover others that work even better for you. But with this starting point, your journey will hopefully be quicker. The key is to approach this process with curiosity, patience, and careful observation.

Living with ADHD will always present unique challenges, but it doesn't have to be the limiting factor in your life. With the right combination of natural supports, your ADHD brain can transform from an overwhelming force to a powerful ally.

Remember that while we often focus on "fixing" ADHD, there are extraordinary gifts hidden within this neurotype. The same brain that struggles with routine tasks can see patterns others miss, make creative connections that generate innovation, and hyperfocus on meaningful work with remarkable intensity. These alternative remedies don't eliminate your ADHD—they help you direct its power toward the life you want to create.

Good luck.

/Max

PS. Here's a great resource from a great man who helped me a lot during my journey: