Is controlled substance use a long term solution for ADHD?

[paradiseengineering]

Hi! I have this ideal of not using any substances like weed, caffeine, nicotine and prescription amphetamines to focus and be productive.

Currently 2 weeks sober from weed and i struggle to focus, but the habit also had many downsides. The amphetamine medications help for very structured tasks but kills my personality, creativity and spark over time. Caffeine also helps a bit but also gives me a rebound, and Im trying my best not to get into habitual use. 

Im diagnosed ADD and my personality type is INFP 4w5 I believe. I find it hard to make money from my creativity and working a normal job often bore me to tears. I know many people with similar traits who use substances like this to perform and function. But I wonder if its all a zero-sum game or not. By this I mean that if the boost comes with an equal crash or if it is actually a benefit over time. I do exercise, meditate and eat fairly healthy. I am question if having a completely drug-free baseline is the best long term, or if strategically self medicating with for example a cup of black tea every morning could be a benefit to people like me. The problem is that I often end up being dependent on them and struggling to moderate use.  

I know this is a hard question to give a clear answer and I am more looking to hear experiences, thoughts and have a discussion on the topic.

Peace.

Edited February 28 by paradiseengineering

[Oppositionless]

I was diagnosed with adhd as an adult. Whether I really have it or not I'm not sure. Natural treatments for adhd include exercise and meditation (which you do), but  I believe you can probably check both of those boxes in one with yoga or other body-based spiritual practices. That might be more effective for focus than training them separately.
 

If caffeine leads to a crash you could try experimenting with nootropics. Leo has a nootropics video. L-theanine helps with focus and when you take it with caffeine it can chill out some of the downsides of caffeine. 

I agree with you on not liking stimulants. I hate the way they make me feel even if I'm a little more productive.

Edited February 28 by Oppositionless

[Infinite Tsukuyomi]

I didn't realize I am ADD or ADHD, no official diagnosis but without a doubt I am as well. 

Meditation is prescribed for everything as a cure all, I don't think it is that effective for ADHD beyond specific use cases. You can try to read the book Adult ADHD by Thomas Hartmann, I read it and in that book he mentions uses meditation to extract all of your good ideas. He also mentions carrying around some quick note taking device, I use the notes app in my phone. 

In the book, having a consulting business was also the best case in his opinion for ADHD. Basically you think up a business model/ creative idea then slowly move away from managing it by hiring a manager to run it. Creating standard operating procedure documents for the business then working in your business as a consultant, where ADHD shines. 

The last powerful idea is to find non ADHD people to work with you as much as possible, in business and outside of. This person, not afflicted with ADHD can handle those tasks that you can't stay consistent on (ie the manager your hire), while you provide the creative vision for things. 

[Cred]

The way to cope with ADHD is by rejecting the chase of symbols like degrees, prestiguous jobs, monogamy, marrige, etc.

Don't ever go to a university or do any training ever. You can teach yourself anything by yourself autodidactically.

The less prestige the thing has that you do more more likely it is that you are on the track of healing.

Also you need to always put your freedom first.

If you do these things you will not need any medication

Edited Friday at 06:04 PM by Cred

[paradiseengineering]

Thanks for the replies yall! I just ordered some L-theanine along with Rhodiola. 

Good point on not comparing myself to others and chasing external symbols. The low confidence that comes as a byproduct of ADHD is more debilitating than the condition itself for me at least.

Also started meditating by training my attention on the breath for 20 mins in the morning and 20 mins in the evening. I have only done the letting go technique before but actually training sustained attention on the breath seems to work wonders so far.

[Ramasta9]

Have you tried Mucuna? Its usually a good herb to use when coming off things like weed and caffeine and whatever effects dopamine receptors.

Sometimes pairing it with Cacao powder or Matcha is very good combo and Neuroprotective / Supportive.

[paradiseengineering]

9 hours ago, Ramasta9 said:

Have you tried Mucuna? Its usually a good herb to use when coming off things like weed and caffeine and whatever effects dopamine receptors.

Sometimes pairing it with Cacao powder or Matcha is very good combo and Neuroprotective / Supportive.

I remember having tried it but dont remember much of it. From what I read and have heard from other its sort of like natures Adderall. I have read reports of people feeling super energised, happy and horny on it, followed by a crash. What comes up must come down. Not saying its like this for everybody but I guess the only way out is trough. 

If you have a different experience Im happy to hear it tho.

[Ramasta9]

2 hours ago, paradiseengineering said:

I remember having tried it but dont remember much of it. From what I read and have heard from other its sort of like natures Adderall. I have read reports of people feeling super energised, happy and horny on it, followed by a crash. What comes up must come down. Not saying its like this for everybody but I guess the only way out is trough. 

If you have a different experience Im happy to hear it tho.

In my experience with natural herbs and medicines, there is often significantly less "harsh" rise and crash, and often can be balanced out with fat-content and supportive-herbs and balance / compliment one another. Which is why i said Matcha and Mucuna or Cacao and Mucuna.

If i had Coffee for example, i never have without fat-content and supportive herbs or i crash and burn. I often had a tablespoon of coconut butter, a tsp of cacao or reishi mushroom and some spices like cardamon, cinnamon, clove ect... A little raw honey to sweeten. Then the crash is minimal to none and its more of a slow and gradual release of the medicine or herb.

Sometimes you can have a handful of nuts after such brews and that extra fat content helps as well. There are also many mood / focus boosting herbs without caffeine content that you can look into like Rhodiola, Panax Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Shilajit, Maca, Schizandra, Ginkgo Biloba, Kratom, Bacopa, Lions mane ect...

I also find essential oils and deep breathing effective. Peppermint, Rosemary, Eucalyptus to name a few, put one or two drops in palms, take some deep breaths and also can rub around nostrils, nose, head, behind the ears, neck ect.. all help with mood boost and focus.

 

 

[paradiseengineering]

6 hours ago, Ramasta9 said:

In my experience with natural herbs and medicines, there is often significantly less "harsh" rise and crash, and often can be balanced out with fat-content and supportive-herbs and balance / compliment one another. Which is why i said Matcha and Mucuna or Cacao and Mucuna.

If i had Coffee for example, i never have without fat-content and supportive herbs or i crash and burn. I often had a tablespoon of coconut butter, a tsp of cacao or reishi mushroom and some spices like cardamon, cinnamon, clove ect... A little raw honey to sweeten. Then the crash is minimal to none and its more of a slow and gradual release of the medicine or herb.

Sometimes you can have a handful of nuts after such brews and that extra fat content helps as well. There are also many mood / focus boosting herbs without caffeine content that you can look into like Rhodiola, Panax Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Shilajit, Maca, Schizandra, Ginkgo Biloba, Kratom, Bacopa, Lions mane ect...

I also find essential oils and deep breathing effective. Peppermint, Rosemary, Eucalyptus to name a few, put one or two drops in palms, take some deep breaths and also can rub around nostrils, nose, head, behind the ears, neck ect.. all help with mood boost and focus.

 

 

Thanks! I just ordered some Rhodiola as I have had positve experiences with it before and I dont do caffeine. Gonna try out L-theanine daily with rhodiola on top when I need a boost. Also I would be careful with kratom, ive tried it and its sooo nice and addictive, I heared many people struggling with it and its hard to come off. It works similar to opiods.