What Is The Relationship Between Caffeine And ADHD?

One of the primary symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is inattentiveness. Those living with this disorder may struggle to follow through on tasks, get started on tasks, or get distracted easily by stimuli like outside noises or even internal thoughts.

Living with ADHD can be challenging, so some people with the condition cope with their symptoms by drinking coffee, or other caffeinated beverages, in an attempt to focus and reduce hyperactivity. The effects of caffeine on individuals with ADHD can be different than on those without, such as feeling more relaxed as opposed to more amped up. 

To understand this coping mechanism, it may be beneficial to look at the connections between caffeine intake and how it affects ADHD symptoms.

What is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? 

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder impacts the lives of both children and adults. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder and a form of neurodivergence. Some may believe that there are only children with ADHD. However, adult ADHD—that is, ADHD which persists into adulthood—is fairly common.

Diagnostic rates and typical treatments

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)—which is used to diagnose psychiatric disorders—people with ADHD demonstrate a persistent pattern of inattentive or hyperactive and impulsive behavior. Around 4.4% of American adults have ADHD, but there may be some that go undiagnosed. 

ADHD is a lifelong condition, so it cannot be cured. However, it is possible to treat ADHD—sometimes, treatment can help children and teens manage their symptoms so effectively that they no longer meet the criteria as adults. Those with symptoms that do persist can and often do still find a very healthy balance that works for them.

ADHD is commonly treated with a combination of behavioral therapy and ADHD medications like stimulants. Work or school accommodations and lifestyle changes may also be helpful. But you typically need a diagnosis in order to seek more formalized ADHD treatments. In some cases, those who don’t have a diagnosis—or who may not be able to get treatment options even with their diagnosis—may turn to self-medication in the form of caffeine to manage symptoms. 

How do caffeine and ADHD interact? 

Caffeine can raise one’s dopamine, a naturally occurring chemical in the brain that makes you feel reward and desire. Some ADHD medications also work by increasing dopamine. It makes sense, then, that some people with ADHD might find some relief by taking caffeine. However, it may not always be the most effective option, and—like stimulant medications—people typically build a tolerance to it over time. What dosage works best and whether it is helpful overall seems to vary by individual.

Here are some possible reasons why coffee might make individuals with ADHD feel tired:

• Paradoxical calming effect: Caffeine may actually calm hyperactivity in people with ADHD, leading to a sense of relaxation or tiredness instead of a stimulant boost.
• Brain chemistry differences: Caffeine impacts dopamine levels, but for some with ADHD, this effect may slow their brain activity rather than energize it, contributing to feelings of fatigue.
• Overstimulation: If you consume too much caffeine, it may overstimulate the nervous system, leading to a “crash” or exhaustion after the initial energy spike.
• Sleep disruption: Caffeine can cause insomnia or reduce sleep quality, and the accumulated sleep debt may manifest as tiredness during the day.

If you're struggling with these effects, it might be beneficial to consult a healthcare professional for guidance on managing ADHD symptoms and caffeine intake.

Potential benefits of caffeine

Caffeine may have potential as a part of ADHD treatment in the future. Animal models and human studies involving caffeine use tend to confirm “net benefits." These potential benefits include improved focus.

Both caffeine and medication can impact your ADHD symptoms, so seek medical advice from your doctor about how caffeine may interact with you before trying it, especially if you are already taking ADHD medications or supplements for your condition. They can help you factor in important considerations such as your body weight, measurements like blood pressure, prescription medication dosages, and specific symptoms to determine how much—if any—caffeine is appropriate for you to consume.

Potential side effects of caffeine

Although some people with ADHD may focus better using caffeine as a long-term treatment option, others report becoming sleepy or struggling to complete tasks when using low doses of this substance. 

Several side effects are also associated with drinking too much caffeine. The safe daily limit is generally considered to be a few hundred milligrams. But even this much caffeine can be problematic for some individuals. Symptoms of consuming excessive caffeine include rapid heartbeat, increased anxiety and blood pressure, insomnia, irritability, or gastrointestinal distress.

When you drink a significant number of caffeinated beverages over a long period of time, you may also risk caffeine dependence, and migraine headaches or other withdrawal symptoms when you don’t consume caffeine. Though caffeine’s effect may not be as strong as ADHD medications, some people still consider the benefits to outweigh these risks.

Can children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have caffeine? 

It’s likely healthiest to avoid letting your kids have caffeine. Using caffeine as a medication substitute may be ineffective, and can cause more severe side effects in children. Evidence shows that caffeine can negatively impact brain development in children and potentially result in spatial learning deficits.

Do your best to help your child avoid caffeine. Although caffeine may calm hyperactivity in some individuals, it can come with side effects like severe insomnia and anxiety. Too much caffeine could change your child’s sleep patterns and make staying awake during the day more difficult. 

Work with your child’s doctor to develop a healthy treatment plan. This plan may involve traditional central nervous system stimulant medication, therapy, or a combination of adolescent psychiatry treatments. Some children may be recommended nonstimulant ADHD medications if stimulants do not work or are otherwise not recommended for their case. 

Why does caffeine make me tired?

Some people with ADHD get tired when they drink caffeine. In those with this disorder, caffeine’s effects on the nervous system may be different and act as a deterrent to brain hyperactivity. In these cases, the individual may experience a slow-down of thoughts and urges, which can appear as exhaustion. In addition, if caffeine causes insomnia for you, the insomnia may lead to a lack of quality sleep, which may increase your exhaustion and contribute to issues with working memory. Lowering your caffeine consumption through drinking alternative beverages like green tea may offer an energy boost without the sleepiness of regular caffeine drinks.

Sleep deprivation and caffeine consumption

Sleep deprivation due to caffeine consumption is common. Caffeinated drinks are popular; some people may consume more than recommended or drink caffeine throughout the day. If you drink a lot of caffeine, you may achieve a short-term energy boost but have a “caffeine crash” later in the day, experiencing exhaustion several hours after your last consumption. To avoid these impacts, patients can try moderate doses of caffeine in the morning, drink decaffeinated coffee in the afternoon, and avoid drinking it at least three hours before bed—ideally, no later than 2 p.m. or so.

Are other stimulants effective for ADHD? 

If caffeine doesn’t help you or you want to try a different form of treatment for ADHD, you might consider talking to your doctor about stimulants. You can also talk to your doctor about nonpharmaceutical treatment methods like supplements. However, note that these holistic treatments may not be evidence-backed or federally controlled.

Discuss treatment plans with a medical professional

It may be tempting to seek these medications from alternative sources, but your safest bet is a doctor’s prescription. Your physician can confirm whether it’s safe for you to take it, how much to take, and on what schedule, and can provide alternatives if the medicine doesn’t work for you.

Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. If your doctor thinks a particular medication is working, work with them to report your symptoms and concerns. Ask questions if you’re thinking of trying a new medication or supplement on top of any they have prescribed, and try to work with a team of doctors if needed.

Even if you have taken medication in the past, you might not have found the proper medication for you. It can take time to determine the most suitable treatment. Some medications may work well for others and not offer you relief. In addition, different doses may garner different effects.

Therapy can help

Therapy is often effective in helping clients manage ADHD and ADHD-like symptoms. Mental health therapists are trained in behavioral techniques that can be helpful alongside or instead of medication. These techniques are often designed to increase productivity, focus, and motivation in those with the condition. 

A therapist can also help clients change behaviors that may exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions target unwanted beliefs or thought patterns to change behaviors. If you don’t like a talk therapy approach, you might be able to partake in an alternative therapeutic modality like art or music therapy, which is more interactive. 

Alternative therapeutic options 

Some clients may avoid therapy for ADHD because it doesn’t fit their schedule, isn’t affordable, or doesn’t accommodate their needs. In these cases, online therapy through a platform may make more sense. Through an online platform, clients can speak to a licensed therapist from home. 

Online therapy

In addition to convenience, online therapy platforms allow clients to schedule appointments at times when they may have more focus on the session. In addition, you can send thoughts to your therapist throughout the week, which may be helpful for people living with ADHD who might tend to forget important snippets of information.

Online therapy is effective in helping many clients manage ADHD symptoms. In one meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials, online therapeutic interventions were more effective than a waiting list control in improving the attention deficit and social function of adults and youth with ADHD.