The Hidden Dangers of ADHD Meds & How to Overcome ADHD Naturally

Are you or a loved one struggling with ADHD? You won't want to miss this eye-opening episode as Dr. Josh Axe exposes the alarming truth behind the nationwide shortage of ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin.
With over 10 million adults and 6 million children in the U.S. diagnosed with ADHD, and 62% of them taking prescription stimulants, the problem has reached critical levels. But the solution may lie in natural, drug-free approaches.
In this episode, you'll discover:
* The surprising link between energy drink consumption and increased ADHD diagnoses
* The key nutrients and vitamins that are depleted by ADHD medications and how to replenish them
* Powerful, drug-free strategies to boost dopamine and focus
* The hidden dangers of long-term amphetamine use and the alarming rise in stimulant misuse
* Natural herbs and supplements that can help manage ADHD symptoms without side effects
Don't settle for a lifetime of reliance on prescription drugs. Tune in now and unlock the path to optimal brain health and focus using nature's proven remedies. Walk away empowered to take control of your (or your child's) ADHD symptoms and reclaim a life of vibrant wellness.
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Links:
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data....
www.accessdata.fda.gov/script...
www.wbrc.com/2024/03/02/it-is...
www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clin...
www.additudemag.com/video-gam...
www.additudemag.com/adhd-diet...
www.additudemag.com/energy-dr...
www.umc.edu/news/CONSULT/2022....
www.rupahealth.com/post/a-fun...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
bodybio.com/blogs/blog/addera...
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/featu...
www.additudemag.com/treatment...
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
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ABOUT DR. JOSH AXE
Dr. Josh Axe is a leadership expert, entrepreneur, and physician. He earned his doctorate from Palmer College and his Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Johns Hopkins University. Josh is the cofounder and CVO of Ancient Nutrition and founder of DrAxe.com. His company ranked on the Inc. 500 fastest growing companies two years in a row. He is the bestselling author of Eat Dirt, Keto Diet, and Ancient Remedies. Josh is the founder of Leaders.com, an online platform that provides the latest on breaking news, leadership, business, and wealth. He regularly teaches lectures and trains entrepreneurs on leadership, mindset, and self- development. Josh is married to his wife, Chelsea, and they have two daughters. They live between Nashville, TN and Dorado, PR and enjoy cooking, staying active swimming and cycling, and prioritize time for their faith and family. His latest book, Think This Not That, is now available nationwide.
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DISCLAIMER
This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Axe nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

[@MunchiGunchi]

My father, before he passed in 2010, did a lot of research on drug free treatments for ADHD and the associated diagnoses such as Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) and found that bioneurofeedback treatments combined with diet had better results than prescription drugs. He also, viewed it as a psychological condition, more related to unreleased anger or poor confidence, than a physical malady. He successfully treated many children in his practice in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[@michelefoster2879]

I eat very clean but found watching ‘short’ videos drastically increased my symptoms

[@dedetudor.]

I hate short videos so much. It's like the content gets my brain going and then cuts it off coming to a rapid screeching halt. Facts Matter with Roman Balmacov has been doing shorts and I hate them.

[@katherinecarrasquillo2954]

My brother has ADHD and he constantly watches tiktok video . And I can't help but feel that does short videos make his ability to pay attention worst.

[@jnnx]

Worse.

[@Chris27883]

It absolutely does. The studies they've done on watching shorts, at least when it comes to having a scrolling session, slows the blood flow to your brain. In fact I can tell you, as someone having ADHD himself, when I'm listening to something like a book and I pause and end up scrolling, 100% of the time it has thrown me off. Even while I was watching this video, when I paused it I caught myself scrolling and in the middle of stopping in the middle of the second reel I could already feel a difference.

[@C.N.1]

MAAAAAN, I dont mean to sound ignorant or overzealous in my comments, but I truly and sincerely appreciate your work! I salute you, Sir! 🫡 Have a great day, everyone! From 🇺🇸

[@drjoshaxe]

Thank you so much! So glad you enjoy the show. Blessings!

[@sharonendler1467]

How can you completely ignore the brilliant work and successful nutrient therapies of Dr. William Walsh and the late Dr. Karl Phiffer!

[@brendasmith7345]

I weaned myself off of ADD drugs. (Ritalin and Adderall) 14 months ago following long term use.

[@drjoshaxe]

This is awesome! Great work, natural approaches are always better for your health!

[@tkavalanche24]

Been on a low dose daily for 21 years. What did you do to replace it?

[@alanciyc4801]

Life long challenged by ADHD. I became a Shop Teacher as it was the only class I loved and wanted to pay it forward. Ritalin as an adult made me anxious, raised BP , and the insomnia was horrible. CBT, lists, and Lions Mane mushrooms helped. Kids are being over medicated to keep them compliant and make it easier for teachers and parents.

[@sandyphillips5254]

100% agree with this. I am a teacher and I often get the “high energy” smart boys. Their diet is poor and they spend most of their time indoors at school and day care before and after school. I also have a son “diagnosed” with adhd. He started training juijitsu in 4th grade and it transformed the kind of student he was. No more medication and he is graduating high school with all A’s. He has learned to control his dopamine levels instead of being controlled by his dopamine levels. He continues to work out, train juijitsu & eat healthy.

[@readaloudkids1407]

I homeschool my 8 year old and sometimes I think she has adhd based on how she struggles to focus, but most people think she’s ultra calm and well-behaved (and most of the time, she is). But I do most of these things for her: low sugar, whole food diet, 1-3 hours outside at a park or pool each day, early bedtimes, sunshine, we even take extra iron and magnesium. I wonder how she would be if I didn’t do these things for her. I’m glad she has the chance to spend so much of her time running around and just being a kid.

[@hartplanet356]

Many girls/women have the Attention Deficit without the Hyperactivity.

[@johnbenischek5622]

Thank you for posting this video. I have suffered from ADD all my life and found that changing my diet to Ketogenic foods, Intermittent Fasting, Exercise, and Red Light Therapy, has greatly helped me tremendously. I went from flunking every subject in grade school to graduating college with high honors. Everything you said is absolutely true.

[@kg2096]

Supplementing with GABA has been one of the most effective things I've done for my ability to focus. It calms down the excessive mental chatter so I can focus on what's important.

[@ninaharris3336]

I also found that in college, ADHD medicine was used commonly (for those prescribed and not prescribed) as a way to help them study. I know several young men that were prescribed by a doctor that saw them one time and never asked about their diet or habits. I agree that these harmful drugs are over prescribed and not enough focus is put on lifestyle and diet!!!!! Keep doing what you are doing. Love your content.

[@MichaelAnthony757]

Dear Dr. Axe, would you please consider covering the topic of anti-psychotic medication 💊 soon. It may be a more challenging topic, but many of us need help.💙🙏🏼

[@CMLLeukemiaStory]

Welcome to america, I'm watching these 15 yr olds entering into the workforce and within a couple weeks they start using caffeine, or nicotine. Just a doctors visit away from adderall.

[@tracyshelton2882]

Thank you for this helpful information Dr. Axe! Please keep sharing this valuable content.

[@amandanelson4851]

Dr. Axe, thank you from the bottom of my heart! This video has provided a wealth of knowledge for my family, we are very excited to apply these natural tools to improve our well-being ❤

[@Funkelbun]

Exercising before this video helped me get the energy to watch 😊

[@vanessavosburgh4623]

Thank you so much for this! My 7 year old son is severely ADHD, so your story is very inspiring to me and gives me so much hope for his future! We’ve chosen not to medicate him, although at times I was tempted just to help me cope with how hard he can be to parent. I will definitely incorporate your suggestions on supplements and diet. We already spend as much time outdoors as possible to try to get his energy out, since he was a toddler! And we’ve had him in AYSO for the last couple years.

[@charleneromsland9787]

This was the best adhd/aderall video I have seen. Great suggestions! THANK YOU!

[@oliviaszeib4748]

Thank you so much for making this video.

[@donnawhite7424]

Great information. Thank you!

[@drjoshaxe]

Thanks for listening Donna!

[@HeatherTV]

Thank you so much!

[@AdriannaContreras]

Thank you so very much doctor. I appreciate your wisdom and words. So incredibly helpful and im in your court regarding your advice regarding this ADHD diet and the rest of information. My father is a neurologist and a psychiatrist and he always says how ovwr prescribed all of these medications are.

[@blablablatube]

Hi, Ironic, no long term studies about Attention Deficit Disorder medication.

[@Mindcoach1on1]

They don’t talk about how trauma causes the brain to tune out which creates a need for attention seeking which is not a deficit in attention it’s just a different different direction of where your attention is going based on your childhood adversities that you have gone through. Look up the correlation between childhood trauma and ADD. You might be shocked

[@summersalix]

@@Mindcoach1on1 I agree w you. What therapies and trauma treatments have shown success for people who fall into this category?

[@chanbianche1593]

Thanks you Dr Axe

[@schecheslife4969]

Thank you so very much I understand this finally thank you for explaining and giving solutions

[@drjoshaxe]

So glad you enjoyed the episode!!

[@teodorahealy8672]

DR. Axe I LOVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE !

[@drjoshaxe]

Thanks so much! Glad you tuned in!

[@MsSilver41]

My son n law is a teacher - he’s constantly complaining because parents won’t Medicate their kids . He whinges about the junk food in their lunchboxes as he knows it’s a major hindrance to cognitive functions . Yet he seems more annoyed they’re not medicated because they totally disrupt the classroom.

[@veronicamart74]

Great info...love the natural. U rock...

[@leizylromero]

I have adhd. I used to take adderall and Ritalin when I was an adolescent. I take strattera now after 18 years of no medication because it was difficult to access after I moved out of my parents house. Strattera works and easy to get. I have to take a low dose because of my history of alcoholism.

[@serenafincel]

Starting as early as kindergarten I showed symptoms of ADD and ASD. I became a vegetarian at age 13. I was diagnosed with ADD in my late 30s. I am 61 now and will never give up being a vegetarian. I do take a lot of supplements already but would like it if Dr. Axe could make a video for those who choose to be vegetarians. Thanks

[@MsSilver41]

This should be shown to all teachers and PDF version given to all parents . Better yet -every parent should receive this information when they register the birth of their child or adopt a child

[@melissaduncan675]

What would you suggest to help get off of long term use, without being completely exhausted and unable to do daily tasks?

[@PBottomPoochies]

I think what is going on today encourages ADHD for sure! I was diagnosed with hyperactivity disorder when I was about 7. I was put in Ritalin which I took from maybe 2-4th grade. Got off of them and went on with life. Graduated college but have been eternally the underachiever. Would medication have helped? Diet? Genuinely I don’t know but I was ALWAYS in sports and very active until my Crohn’s diagnosis in 2019. For me it is likely a sugar thing- one huge thing I must remove from my diet!

[@kimwaldron2606]

He might achieve a slight Improvement but just don't expect any treatment to actually work. I don't know why anybody isn't looking at compensation techniques what I mean is if you have concentration problems you can draw pictures to remember things something like that

[@1985evee]

We give our youngest son 3.5mls of bacopa every night as directed on the bottle we purchased & holy crap has it changed his whole overall behaviour & best sleep patterns so far 😊 This is not medical advice for anyone this was just trial & error which turned out right for both my boys but especially youngest who has level 3 ADHD & AUSTISM, GDD & speech delay!

[@anateeter]

I agree with you, my teenage son has not had an increase in dose in 4.5 years. I am hoping to get him off meds by the time he graduates H.S. He eats a lot of red meat 🍖. I am afraid of the bad behaviors at school returning... impulsivity...

[@mickblock]

What would you say they went to several doctors trying to get adderall?? The doctors don't stock medication, pharmacies do.

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

Ridiculous statement …. people go to drs office for the prescription ……showing your silliness

[@mickblock]

@SheldonB777 A shortage or hard to find medication wouldn't after a persons ability to get a prescription. That step requires one visit to one Doctor.

[@billyabbas]

If you could elaborate and deep-dive more into why and how synthetics are not sustainable long-term options and exactly why that is. For example, some synthetics like TUDCA and SAMe are unavoidable. What are some to truly avoid?

[@genevaj6469]

My stress level was maxed out Adderall made my daughter combative Dr took her off and gave her a different medicine My stress level is better She is better...but still has tantrums sometimes I don't take her in public I am still seeking ways to manage her care Thank you for sharing this information 🙏

[@thebaronofbelco2615]

Gday Doc, Mate What about Dexamphetamines ? I’ve been on this for years! Cheers from Australia

[@clboymom9467]

It’s the same thing except it works faster.

[@chriscahill7463]

Timestamps, please 😊

[@dmaxi3816]

The education system needs to adapt to cater to hands on energetic learners.

[@Epic11183]

Step one : stop blaming the issues and take accountability for your actions. Step two : become self aware enough to realize how you act and act accordingly to counter the so called negative traits

[@rochelletornabene9860]

I have the "boy" type of ADHD and I can't sit still to save my life. I love your advice thank you

[@Tacos-and-IceCream]

Do you recommend against greek yogurt?

[@zabraarms3865]

OMG 😱 That's so sad!! I still say that pharmaceuticals should be stopped pushing DR. pushing drugs into people who don't really need it. There are other ways to help people.

[@drjoshaxe]

Absolutely! There are always natural alternatives to medications that typically have less side effects and are better for overall health and wellness!

[@AprilWaugh]

Hey please could you tell me what would help with energy and focus since i went off meds 2months ago and was on vyvanse 70mg 13 years

[@Annalorraine67]

My doctor just denied me my Adderall that I've been on for 25 years. I don't know what I'm gonna do.

[@malakumar2893]

Amen 🙏🏿

[@AprilWaugh]

I went cold turkey off vyvance 70mg 2 months ago was on this med 13 years its been hard energy level is terrible

[@amandalaurenFYF]

Do you think perhaps adhd could also be connected to poor thyroid function? My dad, younger sister, and myself all ended up having hashimotos… but also adhd…

[@katherinecarrasquillo2954]

I imagen there are many habits that feed ADHD

[@emilymckay5251]

What would you say about my 6 year old daughter who was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD? She’s having a VERY hard time in school with awful behavior.

[@Bvofarm]

Holistic practitioners like myself are able to help kiddos using foods and lifestyle changes to keep them fully free of meds that literally make those specific neurotransmitters & their cofactors more depleted, worsening but yet sedating their issues. It's typically Alleraid related to the tainted processed foods that don't enhance your child's genetic makeup.

[@MunchiGunchi]

My son was diagnosed with both after he went to live with his father and grandmother. His grandmother found a doctor to diagnose him after advice from someone his grandmother knew. He was prescribed all kinds of meds and seemed to get worse instead of better. My father, a psychologist, was looking at non-pharma solutions and treatments. He found that a combination of bioneurofeedback and diet, along with exploring the possibility of unexpressed emotions brought highly successful results. Many of Dr. Axe's suggestions were in line with my father's determinations. Unfortunately, I was unable to steer my son's grandmother and father away from the prescription route. He is now 32 and still entangled in the meds and their long term effects. The path in between was very rocky. I would recommend trying some of Dr. Axe's suggestions. But please do so with coordination of her doctor, as stopping these types of meds too quickly can have long term or permanent medical effects. If her doctor is not open to a drug free treatment, I would say consider finding another doctor who is open and familiar with drug free alternative treatments.

[@kristinpruett7733]

We use diet and supplements but they are not enough. Neurofeedback has made the most dramatic results and my kids have those things. And no, they had it before technology ruined the world.

[@MountainwithaView]

Stay home, your child needs you

[@user-fw5tf2nm5f]

HOW COULD THE HERB BACOPA MONNERIE HELP?

[@clboymom9467]

What about milk kefir that’s not raw. We cannot get raw dairy here .

[@niamhbyrne4036]

You said over diagnosed.....did you mean over prescribed? Thanks

[@lizbaumann8946]

My son adhd is intolerant to beef 😢

[@donnagarofalo7979]

Organic beef too?

[@user-fw5tf2nm5f]

IF PARKINSONS DISEASE IS CAUSED BY LOW DOPAMINE. COULD ADDREAL AT LEAST TREAT OR CURE PARKINSON?

[@cindygarcia3711]

I really love your content, but it’s so disappointing that you advocate for red meat so much for those nutrients. You’re a dr. You have to know that red meat is highly carcinogenic & high in saturated fats/cholesterol. So many better ways to get those nutrients. I’m not a dr, but know that much. Wish you’d give other food option.

[@KristaGray-gb1nz]

ADHD does NOT mostly affect boys! Your knowledge on the subject is woefully inadequate and outdated. ADHD diagnosis and prescriptions have doubled even tripled because half of the population’s was ignored for more than 50 years! Your advice is basic common sense nothing more, stick to telling people to eat healthy and exercise and leave the medical advice to real doctors. Thank you

[@coquio]

I've never unsubscribed from a channel faster

[@summersalix]

Why?

[@2a3ylin]

at least have an open mind and listen what he has to say first

[@summersalix]

Exactly, the info he's giving isn't wrong. Especially if there is a med shortage, this can be very helpful for those whom can't get their rx filled, and/or as an adjunct

[@curlyandstrong6798]

Don't worry, you unsubscribed, but I went ahead and subscribed. .

[@AdriannaContreras]

If you had a channel i would unsubscribe from yours faster. How ignorant can you be? Seiously. Hurry and unsubscribe. I don't believe anyone is interested in your kind of ignorance. Wow. On the other hand, thank you doctor. I have applied much of this on my child and the improvement has been through the roof! THANK you for your wisdom.

[@unicornjennie]

You can add diabetic medications and high blood pressure meds along with depression medications are all in the shortage list.