Cognitive Enhancers for ADHD: Nurturing Minds with Natural Solutions

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that shows uniquely in each child but generally affects their ability to pay attention, control impulsive behaviors, and regulate brain activity levels. Those difficulties can impact a child at school, home, or socially. 

It is a condition that typically begins in childhood but can persist into adulthood, but children may only be identified later in life. It often depends on a child's unique pattern of assets and deficits and typically how they do in school. 

ADHD can affect cognitive and executive functions in several ways. Children with ADHD may struggle to do tasks that are not interesting to them or require prolonged attention, such as studying or listening to a lecture. 

Furthermore, these kids need help organizing and prioritizing tasks. It means they need guidance starting and completing school projects or household chores. They may also need help remembering or retaining important information.

Children and teens with ADHD also have issues regulating emotions, which leads to impulsive behavior, outbursts, frustration, or disappointment. In the same way, they find it hard to control their impulses. It's why they interrupt others, blurt out inappropriate comments, and engage in risky behaviors.

Whether you are searching alone or getting support from our FREE FB community, parents are looking for natural cognitive enhancers and alternative solutions that support attention and brain health, which is good. 

Magnesium as a Natural Cognitive Enhancer for ADHD

Although stimulant drugs and non-stimulant medications are commonly used to manage ADHD symptoms, they may not be appropriate for children as they may cause potential side effects. In such cases, natural solutions for ADHD present a more viable treatment option because they are scientifically proven to provide an alternative way to manage the condition. In addition, dietary supplements can help address your cognitive impairments and support brain function. 

Let’s take the case of 8-year-old Claire. Claire was sharp as a whip but needed help to get everything on time. “I forgot” was always her answer when her parents wanted to know why her schoolwork was turned in late. Her parents tried almost every option they knew, including Adderall and Concerta, to no avail. It wasn’t until they added supplements, changed her diet, and used CALM PEMF™ in our BrainBehaviorReset™ Program that things turned around for her. 

Neurotransmitters are created in the body with the help of magnesium. Magnesium is also needed for these neurotransmitters to communicate or work properly. It is essential in neurotransmitter synthesis, nerve transmission, and neuromuscular conduction. 

ADHD children may have low magnesium and Vitamin D levels. They are also deficient in ferritin and zinc. However, a recent study found a significant decrease in conduct problems, social problems, anxiety, and shyness after eight weeks of Vitamin D and magnesium supplementation (Askari et al., 2020)

How Magnesium Helps with Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder

Magnesium is an essential mineral crucial in various physiological processes throughout the body, including brain function. While magnesium is not typically viewed as a direct cognitive enhancer like some other substances, it involves several mechanisms that can indirectly support cognitive health and function. Here are some ways in which magnesium may contribute to cognitive enhancement:

• Neurotransmitter Regulation: Magnesium plays a role in regulating neurotransmitter levels in the brain, including serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which are involved in mood regulation, stress response, and cognitive function.
• Synaptic Plasticity: Magnesium modulates synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to activity, which is crucial for learning and memory formation.
• NMDA Receptor Function: Magnesium is a natural antagonist to the brain's N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Proper regulation of NMDA receptors is essential for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Maintaining adequate magnesium levels ensures proper NMDA receptor function.
• Anti-inflammatory Effects: Chronic inflammation has been linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Magnesium exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce inflammation in the brain, thereby supporting cognitive health.
• Stress Reduction: Magnesium has been shown to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is involved in the body's stress response. By regulating stress hormone levels, magnesium may help mitigate the detrimental effects of chronic stress on cognitive function.
• Improved Sleep: Magnesium regulates the activity of neurotransmitter systems involved in sleep, such as GABA. Adequate magnesium levels have been associated with improved sleep quality, essential for cognitive function and memory consolidation.

While magnesium deficiency has been associated with cognitive impairment and neurological disorders, there is limited direct evidence to suggest that magnesium supplementation alone can significantly enhance cognitive performance in healthy individuals. 

However, maintaining adequate magnesium levels through diet or supplementation as part of a comprehensive approach to overall health may indirectly support cognitive function and brain health.

It's worth noting that individual responses to magnesium supplementation may vary, and excessive magnesium intake can lead to adverse effects. Therefore, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. 

A balanced diet that includes magnesium-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains is generally recommended for overall health and cognitive performance.

Other Natural Cognitive Enhancers for ADHD

Aside from nutritional supplements, there are other evidence-based natural treatment options for ADHD. The road is often long and hard when looking for help for your child with ADHD, so it is often surprising for parents to learn that there is so much they can do to help their child. 

When combined with lifestyle changes, these natural solutions can make the symptoms of ADHD, such as cognitive deficits, short-term memory issues, and poor mental performance, more manageable. More importantly, these methods can address root causes. 

1. Exercise

Regular physical exercise increases blood flow to the brain, improving focus and concentration. According to several studies, physical activity has shown promising results in treating mild to moderate depression and can be equally effective as medication. Moderate-to-intense aerobic exercise effectively reduced cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms associated with ADHD (Ng et al., 2017).

2. Meditation

Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment and observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment. It can help improve attention and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity.

3. Healthy Diet

A healthy, balanced diet rich in nutrients can help support brain function and reduce ADHD symptoms. A nutrient-dense diet is the foundation of a healthy brain. As impossible as it seems to eat healthily, it can improve attention. In addition, research suggests a diet low in sugar and artificial additives is particularly beneficial.

4. Sleep

Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night and establish a regular sleep routine. Children and teens with ADHD are mostly sleep-deprived individuals. 

ADH kids experience more sleep problems related to bedtime schedules and restlessness. Parents of children with ADHD reported sleep deprivation more often than other parents (Hvolby et al., 2009).

5. Yoga

Yoga combines physical movement with mindfulness techniques, making it a potential way to improve focus, reduce stress, and manage ADHD symptoms. In addition, yoga is considered a complementary and alternative medicine with a favorable therapeutic effect on neuropsychological problems. 

Clinical trials were conducted, and one study aimed to assess the attention level of female orphan children with ADHD who underwent an 8-week ADHD yoga module. Thirty-eight female children aged 6 to 10 participated in the study, with a single group pre-post test design. 

The results showed significant improvement in attention levels, as assessed by parent and teacher scales. The study suggests that yoga may increase attention levels in children with ADHD (Indudhar et al., 2018).

6. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment of ADHD commonly known as talk therapy. It offers cognitive training interventions focusing on changing an individual's thinking patterns. How one thinks about a problem can be a significant obstacle to improvement, particularly when the brain is dysregulated.

7. Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback therapy involves training children diagnosed with ADHD to boost certain brain waves that are linked to attention and focus, namely theta and beta waves. Positive feedback is given to the child's brain when they can generate these targeted brain waves. This feedback may take the form of playing a video game, a movie, or a sound. 

There are decades of research to support the efficacy of neurofeedback in reducing ADHD symptoms. A separate study on clinical populations suggests that NIRS-based frontal lobe training might be an effective intervention for patients with ADHD, and further studies should focus on training specificity and optimization (Ehlis & Fallgather, 2016).

8. PEMF

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) is a non-invasive electromagnetic field treatment that improves health and treats various medical conditions. PEMF therapy significantly improved symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. It is also effective in reducing anxiety and depression in adults with ADHD. CALM PEMFTM is a mobile device you can take anywhere to help calm the mind and body. 

Are you seeking a potent magnesium powder to support a calm brain and mental wellness? The Neurotastic Multi-Mag Brain™ Formula emphasizes the essence of brain health. It helps harness the power of the most bioavailable magnesium forms to improve attention, cognitive functions, and sleep, as well as curtail stress.