Depending on the severity of your ADHD symptoms, you may be able to use nootropics as an alternative to prescription stimulants like Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse and their variations.
I experimented for a year by using nootropics in place of the 20 mg of Ritalin I had been using 3-times a day for several years. And for the most part, I was successful in taming my Adult ADD symptoms.
Table of Contents
Adult ADD Nootropic Stack
The ADD/ADHD stack I use includes:
- Mind Lab Pro
- Performance Lab® Energy – twice per day
- Alpha GPC – 300 mg 3-times per day
- ALCAR – 750 mg 1-time per day
- L-Tyrosine – 500 mg 3-times per day
- Sulbutiamine – 400 mg twice per day
- Aniracetam – 750 mg twice per day
- Vinpocetine – 10 mg 3-times per day
- Performance Lab® Omega-3 – 3 gelcaps per day
- 1 tablespoon unrefined Coconut Oil or MCT Oil– 3-times per day
- Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi – 4 caps per day
During my one-year stimulant holiday, the ingredients in Mind Lab Pro along with L-Tyrosine and ALCAR (included in Performance Lab Energy) kept my dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine levels high enough to maintain focus, motivation and improve my memory. Vinpocetine kept my brain blood flow at optimal levels. And Aniracetam and Sulbutiamine improved my mood.
But after a year I decided to go back to using 20 mg of Ritalin twice per day. Because my workload had me writing 10 hours per day. And maintaining working relationships with 2 or 3 clients at once.
By adding Ritalin back to my stack I was able to reduce the time it would take to complete a project from 3 days to 1 ½ days. Proof to me that my brain couldn’t make it with nootropics alone.
The beauty of continuing to use L-Tyrosine and ALCAR even after I started using Ritalin again was that I avoided the stimulant “crash” that is so common late afternoon when using stimulants. And I was able to reduce the original 20 mg Ritalin 3-times per day down to only twice per day.
And I have not experienced building up tolerance to Ritalin that is so common when using stimulants to treat ADD or ADHD.
Your situation may be different, or ADHD symptoms not as severe. Only you can decide if nootropics can replace ADHD meds. The stack I describe on this page is designed to be used with or without stimulant meds.
Whether you use this stack with meds or without, you’ll need to discover for yourself what dosages of each nootropic are ideal for you. Because the amounts that work for me may not work as well for you. You may need less NALT and/or ALCAR.
Experimenting is the key to success with nootropics. And knowing as much as you can about what’s going on in your brain that needs to be fixed. But after many years of recommending this ADHD nootropic stack to people just like us around the world, we know this works.
The pre-made nootropic stacks mentioned in this post include:
Prescription “Smart Drugs” vs. Nootropics for ADHD
This post is in response to many emails and questions I’ve been getting about how to treat Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) with nootropics.
So if you are dealing with ADHD, hopefully this post will help. Especially if you are using stimulants like Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse, Focalin, or any of the other stimulant prescribed for ADD/ADHD. Or you are trying to deal with ADHD naturally by avoiding prescription stimulants.
This information can also help if you are a student or executive who uses prescription “smart drugs” like Adderall or Modafinil to boost productivity.
Here we’ll dig into the causes of ADHD or ADD in your brain. Symptoms associated with ADHD. And what you can do using nootropics, or nootropics stacked with stimulants to correct ADHD symptoms.
I’ll also include ways to potentiate the effectiveness of prescription stimulants with nootropics so they work better.
If you’ve never ‘officially’ been diagnosed with ADHD, but some of this resonates with you, you could be ADHD or ADD. And this may point you to some answers.
I’ve been ADD all my life. (ADD is ADHD without the hyperactivity). But it wasn’t until about 14 years ago, that a very wise psychiatrist identified what was going on. And why I had been struggling with focus and other problems with behavior. That no amount of self-help books on focus and management could ever correct.
Ritalin turned the lights on for me. And completely changed my life for the better. This was the seed that sprouted my interest in neuroscience and nootropics. And ultimately launching Nootropics Expert®
What is ADHD & ADD?
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are associated with attention and executive function in your brain.
Your prefrontal cortex directs behavior, thought and feeling which are all associated with working memory. These fundamental cognitive abilities that most “healthy” people take for granted, are what make up executive function.
This executive function and working memory give you the ability to:
- Regulate your attention
- Inhibit inappropriate behavior and thought
- Monitor your actions
- Plan and organize your future
If you can’t focus on the task at hand, blurt things out at inappropriate times, have little control over your emotions or actions, and can’t seem to stick to that careful set of goals you wrote down, you may be ADHD.
The Role of Norepinephrine and Dopamine in ADHD
Norepinephrine and dopamine are the primary neurotransmitters involved in ADHD because they play an essential role in attention and thinking.[i]
The “inattentive” type of ADHD is related to issues with the norepinephrine, and the “hyperactive and impulsive” type of ADHD is linked to dopamine dysfunction.
These two neurotransmitters work in concert to maintain alertness, increase focus, sustain thought, effort, and motivation. The only difference between the two is the presence of a hydroxyl group. And dopamine is the precursor to norepinephrine synthesis in your brain.[ii]
Much of what we read about ADHD focuses on dopamine’s function in your brain. But norepinephrine (NE) plays a critical role in activating your reaction to events. And how you respond to the event.[iii] NE is essential for collecting information coming in through your senses. And then modulating your brain’s response.
Any disruption in this NE system can result in ADHD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders and more.[iv]
For example, NE working with postsynaptic α2-adrenoceptors (α2-AR) in your brain play an essential role in helping you focus and eliminate distractions when you’re paying attention to something.[v]
This is just one example of what goes wrong in the ADHD brain. My point in bringing this all up is not to overwhelm you with neuroscience.
But to make clear that simply suggesting too much or too little of a single neurotransmitter like dopamine cannot explain the complexity of ADHD.
So using a nootropic like Mucuna Pruriens (L-Dopa) to amp up dopamine in your brain is often not enough to take care of ADHD symptoms. Or using Adderall with someone who has a problem with alpha2-receptor binding with norepinephrine may not get much benefit.
This is the reason that experimenting with various stimulants and/or nootropics is often the only way to find a long-term solution to keeping ADHD under control. And why some respond better to a drug like Ritalin and not as well to Adderall. Or vice versa.[vi]
And recent research shows serotonin and acetylcholine are involved too. Mostly the “hyperactivity” part of ADHD which includes movement, inattention, and impulsivity.[vii]
Smart Drugs Used to Treat ADHD
If you are truly and clinically ADHD or ADD, it is unlikely that optimizing your diet, getting plenty of sleep, using nootropics, and exercising regularly will get the symptoms of ADHD under control.
The most severe forms of ADHD often benefit from using prescription medication. Otherwise known as “smart drugs” in some circles, these meds are typically amphetamines or methylphenidate.
The amphetamine-class of ADHD medications includes Adderall (75% dextroamphetamine salts and 25% levoamphetamine salts), Dextroamphetamine, and Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine).
The methylphenidate-class of ADHD medications includes methylphenidate (Ritalin) and its variants like Concerta, and Focalin.
Adderall and Ritalin both work with dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. But through different mechanisms of action.
Ritalin is a pure uptake inhibitor of dopamine and norepinephrine without any other presynaptic activity.[viii] Adderall on the other hand, has additional presynaptic activity, releasing dopamine and norepinephrine from presynaptic neurons.
The idea for the last 50 years or so, has been if we could boost dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, ADHD symptoms would go away. As long as we’re taking the medication.
Why Prescription ADHD Meds Often Don’t Work
In an ideal world, taking one pill 2 or 3 times a day to treat ADHD would put your life back on track. And help you function like a ‘normal’ person.
But real-world results often don’t work out as well as theory. For several reasons. For example, what if there’s not enough dopamine or norepinephrine in your brain in the first place? Then stimulants will not work as well as planned because they haven’t the neurotransmitters in place to work with.
You could also have problems with not enough or damaged neuroreceptors. Natural aging processes can slow blood flow or inhibit the production of neurotransmitters. A lack of acetylcholine could prevent your neurotransmitters from doing what they were designed to do.
This is where nootropics can help save the day in treating the symptoms of ADHD.
Optimizing Dopamine & Norepinephrine
One of main culprits contributing to ADHD symptoms is a lack of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in your brain. Or your brain is not using the available DA and NE effectively.
Stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin work to boost levels of these two critical neurotransmitters.
Production of dopamine and norepinephrine in your body follows this metabolic pathway:
Phenylalanine → Tyrosine → L-DOPA → Dopamine → Norepinephrine
Dopamine is converted to norepinephrine by the enzyme dopamine β-monooxygenase, with O2 and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) as cofactors.
Norepinephrine can be further converted into epinephrine by the enzyme phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase with SAM-e as cofactor.
Nootropics to boost dopamine and norepinephrine include:
- L-Tyrosine – L-Tyrosine is the precursor to the synthesis of dopamine in your brain. L-Tyrosine enhances working memory, executive function, creative flow states, reduces stress, improves mood and is anti-anxiety.
Suggested dosage of L-Tyrosine or NALT for ADHD is 350- 500 mg twice per day. I successfully stack 500 mg of NALT or L-Tyrosine 3-times per day. Once each time I dose with Ritalin, and a last dose mid-afternoon to prevent a stimulant crash later in the day.
- Mucuna Pruriens (L-Dopa) – Mucuna works as an antioxidant and heavy metal chelator, improves memory & cognition, reduces depression and boosts libido.
L-Dopa is also the direct precursor to dopamine. Suggested dosage of Mucuna Pruriens is 250 – 500 mg per day. But if you’re just starting out with nootropics, I highly recommend using L-Tyrosine or NALT instead of Mucuna Pruriens. Because Mucuna can be more difficult to dose since it directly stimulates the production of dopamine. L-Tyrosine and NALT are more ‘forgiving’ when it comes to dosage.
- N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) – NAC is an amino acid that regulates the amount of glutamate and dopamine in your brain.
NAC can be used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. And even helps eliminate some of the negative side effects associated with prescription ADHD stimulants. Suggested dosage of NAC is 600 mg 3-times per day.
- NADH – NADH helps increase alertness, clarity, focus, memory and enhances mood.
NADH also helps stimulate the production of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in your brain. Suggested dosage of NADH is 10 mg per day.
- Phosphatidylserine (PS) – PS can help improve alertness, attention, cognition, memory, recall and mood, and lower anxiety. All issues associated with ADHD.
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid component of the membrane encasing every one of your brain cells. PS helps maintain the fluidity and permeability of brain cells. Improving the flow of dopamine and acetylcholine. Suggested dosage of PS is 100 mg 3-times per day.
- Pine Bark Extract – Pine Bark extract helps prevent decreases in dopamine and norepinephrine. And the glutathione (GSH) and GSH-disulphide reductase (GSSG-R) ratio. Neurotransmitter problems which contribute to hyperactivity in ADHD.
Pine Bark extract helps boost blood flow in the brain by increasing nitric oxide which helps dilate blood vessels. And it helps with oxidative stress, membrane damage, DNA damage, inflammation, and glycation.
I’ve found one of the most potent forms of Pine Bark extract comes in both Mind Lab Pro® and Performance Lab® Mind.
A word of caution here in boosting the catecholamines dopamine and norepinephrine. Too much of either is not a good thing. In fact, excess levels of either will throw your neurotransmitter levels out of balance. And can cause anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks.
Taming Hyperactivity
The “H” in ADHD stands for hyperactivity. Boosting levels of dopamine and norepinephrine can help balance out hyperactivity. And help calm and focus your mind. But often simply boosting or balancing these neurotransmitters is not enough.
Recent studies show that serotonin and dopamine interaction also play a role in ADHD.[ix] Serotonin is involved in the uptake, synthesis and breakdown of dopamine in your brain. Problems with serotonin seem to contribute to behavior and impulse control.
Much more research needs to be done in this area of ADHD. But we can help control and balance serotonin with nootropics.
- 5-HTP – This amino acid is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan. And 5-HTP is the immediate precursor to serotonin in your brain.
5-HTP can help relieve anxiety and depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, migraines and likely the hyperactivity, depression and anxiety associated with ADHD. Suggested dosage of 5-HTP is 50 mg up to 3-times per day. Please see our dosage notes and warnings however on supplementing with 5-HTP.
- Ginseng – Ginseng helps calm anxiety, and boost attention, concentration and memory. Ginseng provides neuro-protective effects on the dopaminergic-pathway which can help with ADHD. And ginseng is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
Suggested dosage of Ginseng is 100 – 400 mg per day.
- L-Theanine – L-Theanine commonly found in green tea helps boost alpha and theta brain waves, is anti-anxiety, boosts cognition and memory and reduces insomnia.
L-Theanine also helps boost GABA, serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain. Suggested dosage of L-Theanine is 250 – 500 mg per day.
- Rhodiola Rosea – Rhodiola Rosea helps improve alertness, energy, memory and mood, is anti-anxiety and antidepressant, reduces fatigue and boosts memory and concentration.
Rhodiola influences serotonin and norepinephrine levels in your brain. Suggested dosage of Rhodiola Rosea extract is 150 – 200 mg per day.
- SAM-e – SAM-e helps in the process of cell division and repair. And the generation of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and melatonin.
Suggested dosage of SAM-e is 300 mg per day.
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) – Vitamin B6 helps your brain make serotonin, norepinephrine and melatonin. Suggested dosage of B6 is up to 100 mg per day.
- Vitamin B8 (Inositol) – Inositol as a nootropic can boost serotonin levels which results in feelings of calm, heightened mental energy, and easy thought flow.
Suggested dosage of Inositol is from 500 – 3,000 mg per day.
- Vitamin B9 (Folate) – Folate (NOT folic acid) as a nootropic helps your brain make dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Suggested dosage of Folate is 400 mcg per day.
B-Vitamins are Critical in Controlling ADHD
Take note that several of the B-Vitamin group are involved in the production of the neurotransmitters involved in ADHD. I recommend adding a good B-Vitamin Complex well above the usual RDA levels that include folate (not folic acid) and methylcobalamin (not cobalamin) to your stack. Both in a pure nootropic stack as well as when stacking with any of the ADHD prescription stimulants.
But it’s not only the B-Vitamins that are required for a healthy, fully functioning brain. We also need each of the 13 vitamins and 13 minerals needed for everything from blood flow, neurotransmitter synthesis and release, brain signaling, and neuroprotection.
I’ve found the easiest way to make sure my ADD brain gets all the vitamins and minerals it needs every day is to also use a multivitamin/mineral supplement.
The best I’ve found so far is a new multivitamin called Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi. It’s better than the “raw-food” multi I’ve been using for years. And makes a difference I can actually feel.
But please note that this multi is in addition to a B-Vitamin Complex because the ADHD brain needs more of these critical nutrients than what is normally in any good multivitamin.
The Role of Acetylcholine in ADHD
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered that there are three types of ADHD.
We’ve already covered the “inattentive” type that is related to issues with the norepinephrine transporter gene. And the link to the dopamine transporter gene in the “hyperactive and impulsive” type.
But the research team now report that a variation in the choline transporter gene is associated with a “combined” type of ADHD. Symptoms include both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
Choline is required to synthesize acetylcholine (ACh) which is needed for memory, motor-control, focus, learning, concentration, and cognition.
If you have the “combined” type of ADHD it’s likely due to a mutation in this choline transporter gene variation.
Nootropics to boost acetylcholine include:
- ALCAR (Acetyl-L-Carnitine) – ALCAR donates a methyl group in the presence of Coenzyme-A for the synthesis of acetylcholine. And it’s also a shuttle transport for fatty acids through brain cell membranes. It shuttles fatty acids into mitochondria for ATP synthesis, and shuttles toxic byproducts out.
Research from the Linus Pauling Institute shows ALCAR will restore mitochondrial function, replenish age-related changes to mitochondrial structure, and replenishes acetylcholine levels to your brain and body.
And other studies show that ALCAR stimulates nerve growth factor. Helping support survival and growth of neurons. Which is particularly important for the ADHD brain and especially when using prescription stimulants that may be tough on neurons.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-LA) – Alpha Lipoic Acid increases acetylcholine production by activation of choline acetyltransferase and increases glucose uptake. This process supplies more Acetyl-CoA for the production of acetylcholine.
Alpha Lipoic Acid enhances insulin-stimulated glucose transport and metabolism for better brain cell performance. And R-Lipoic Acid provides strong antioxidant support because it helps regenerate and recycle existing antioxidants in your brain including Vitamins C & E, glutathione, and CoQ10.
I’ve since switched the ALCAR supplement in my ADD stack to Performance Lab® Energy because this pre-formulated energy stack contains my preferred dose of ALCAR. But note that I also take another 750 mg of ALCAR with my NALT dose late afternoon to prevent a stimulant crash.
Performance Lab® Energy also contains Alpha Lipoic Acid which helps my ADD brain produce acetylcholine. And has helped reverse the ‘insulin resistance’ my doctor diagnosed me with a year ago.
- CDP-Choline (Citicoline) – Citicoline helps synthesize phosphatidylcholine (PC), a major phospholipid found in brain cell membranes. And provides choline for the synthesis of acetylcholine while providing antioxidant activity.
The CDP-Choline (Citicoline) in my ADD stack is supplied by Mind Lab Pro® which is the base of my nootropic stack.
But a suitable alternative to MLP is the new Performance Lab® Mind which contains the branded form of citicoline called Cognizin®.
Performance Lab® Mind and Mind Lab Pro® also contain L-Tyrosine, Phosphatidylserine (PS), and Maritime Pine Bark extract.
Repairing Neuroreceptors Needed to Control ADHD
One of the issues with neurotransmitters and ADHD are damaged or non-existent receptors. Dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin have less receptors to bind to for cognition and mood control.
Once again, nootropics come to the rescue in helping control ADHD. You can add one of these nootropics to your stack to help boost receptor health.
- Ashwagandha – This adaptogen, Ashwagandha helps reduce anxiety and depression. And helps reconstruct axons, dendrites and synapses involved in neurotransmitter signaling in your brain.
Suggested dosage of Ashwagandha extract is 250 – 500 mg per day.
- Bacopa Monnieri – Bacopa helps boost memory and cognition, improves mood, and reduces stress. This adaptogen affects brain levels of acetylcholine needed to help neurotransmitter signaling.
And the two active components of Bacopa Monnieri called bacosides A and B not only improves signaling of electrical impulses between neurons in your brain. Bacosides also help rebuild damaged neurons. Suggested dosage of Bacopa is up to 450 mg per day.
- Lion’s Mane – Lion’s Mane Mushroom is known for stimulating Nerve Growth Factor, improving cognition and memory, and relieving depression.
Lion’s Mane stimulates the repair and creation of neurons in your brain. Neurons needed for dopamine and norepinephrine to control ADHD. Suggested dosage of Lion’s Mane Mushroom starts at 500 mg per day. Note: that there’s an effective 500 mg dose of Lion’s Mane full-spectrum fruiting body in each dose of Mind Lab Pro®
- Noopept – Noopept helps boost cognition, memory, learning, perception, logical thinking and mood. Noopept increases Nerve Growth Factor, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) critical for neuroplasticity and Long-Term Potentiation critical for long-term memory.
Noopept also prevents the release of excess glutamate in your brain. Providing potent neuroprotection for neurons and reducing damage. Suggested dosage of Noopept is 10 – 30 mg per day.
Please note that I haven’t linked through to supporting clinical studies for each of the nootropics I listed above. But you can click through to my full review of each nootropic for extensive research supporting each supplement.
Nootropics for Kids
ADHD and ADD is most often diagnosed in children. The latest statistics (2011) from the CDC in the USA shows about 11% of children 4 – 17 years of age (6.4 million) have been diagnosed ADHD.[x] And that’s just for the USA.
Although ADHD is usually first diagnosed in children, it often lasts into adulthood. I sometime wonder how my life would have been different if I had been declared ADD when I was a kid.
But it wasn’t until the late 1960’s that the American Psychiatric Association formally recognized ADHD as a mental disorder. I wasn’t declared Adult ADD until much later.
The thing is many parents are wary about putting their children on powerful, prescription ADHD meds. Kids’ brains continue to develop until your early 20’s. So is it a problem messing with brain chemistry at such a young age? Only time will tell and if the benefits outweigh any potential costs.
Hence the reason why parents are looking for ‘natural’ alternatives like nootropics to treat ADHD in children. But are nootropic supplements any safer than prescription stimulants?
Common sense tells me that using L-Tyrosine could be safer than Ritalin for boosting dopamine. And Rhodiola Rosea could be safer than stimulants or antidepressants for taming hyperactivity.
But many children with ADHD, natural supplements may not be enough. I’m not a doctor, and don’t even play one on TV. I’m an ordinary biohacker who has learned as much as I can to help myself. And fix my own cognitive issues. Including Adult ADD.
So I highly recommend you find and work with an open-minded psychiatrist with your child. You may be pleasantly surprised to find you may be able to reduce or eliminate prescription ADHD meds altogether. And maybe not. But the long-term health of your child could be worth the time investment to find out.
In Summary
I’ve been wanting to write this post since I started Nootropics Expert®. If you are ADHD or ADD, I hope you found this useful. And I’d appreciate your feedback, and share your experience with treating ADHD with nootropics in the comments section of this post below.
Please share this post with anyone you think would benefit. Including discussions about nootropics for ADHD on reddit or Longecity.
One final note. Neurotransmitter balance is key to taming ADHD. I strongly caution you to take it slow if you’re just starting out with nootropics. Carefully read each of the extended articles in the List of Nootropics you are considering trying.
You need to be careful about side effects, prescription drug interactions, dosages and how your body reacts to each supplement.
But I’m confident that with careful planning and a long-term commitment, you can be as successful as I have been in living and thriving with ADHD or ADD.
[i] Arnsten A.F., Li B.M. “Neurobiology of executive functions: catecholamine influences on prefrontal cortical functions.” Biological Psychiatry. 2005 Jun 1;57(11):1377-84. (source)
[ii] Pliszka S.R., McCracken J.T., Maas J.W. “Catecholamines in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: current perspectives.” Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 1996 Mar;35(3):264-72. (source)
[iii] Aston-Jones G., Rajkowski J., Cohen J. “Role of locus coeruleus in attention and behavioral flexibility.” Biological Psychiatry. 1999 Nov 1;46(9):1309-20. (source)
[iv] Berridge C.W., Waterhouse B.D., “The locus coeruleus–noradrenergic system: modulation of behavioral state and state-dependent cognitive processes” Brain Research Reviews Volume 42, Issue 1, April 2003, Pages 33–84 (source)
[v] Franowicz J.S., Kessler L.E., Borja C.M., Kobilka B.K., Limbird L.E., Arnsten A.F. “Mutation of the alpha2A-adrenoceptor impairs working memory performance and annuls cognitive enhancement by guanfacine.” Journal of Neuroscience. 2002 Oct 1;22(19):8771-7. (source)
[vi] Zametkin A.J., Karoum F., Linnoila M., Rapoport J.L., Brown G.L., Chuang L.W., Wyatt R.J. “Stimulants, urinary catecholamines, and indoleamines in hyperactivity. A comparison of methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine.” Archives of General Psychiatry. 1985 Mar;42(3):251-5. (source)
[vii] Oades R.D. “Role of the serotonin system in ADHD: treatment implications.” Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. 2007 Oct;7(10):1357-74. (source)
[viii] Wilens T.E. “Effects of methylphenidate on the catecholaminergic system in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.” Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2008 Jun;28(3 Suppl 2):S46-53 (source)
[ix] Oades R.D. “Dopamine-serotonin interactions in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).” Progress in Brain Research. 2008;172:543-65 (source)
[x] “Key Findings: Trends in the Parent-Report of Health Care Provider-Diagnosis and Medication Treatment for ADHD: United States, 2003—2011” Centers for Disease and Prevention cdc.gov (source)
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Hello David,
im starting Strattera tomorrow and want to know can i combine it with modafinil?
Calio, Strattera is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and Modafinil binds to the dopamine transporter. And acts as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. While they are not exactly the same in their mechanism of action they both act on the catecholamines in your brain and the combination may not work out well for you. I personally would not attempt it.
Greetings from Sweden, David!
You seem very versed in both subjects (ADD and Nootropics)!
I’m hoping you could provide some guidance because I’m really struggling here…
I am 30 years old and struggle with ADD / inattentiveness.
For the past few months I’ve been prescribed Elvanse/Vyanse (50 and 70 mg).
The noticable effect have been providing me with extra energy for a few hours. I’ve tried Concerta, Ritalin etc as well. I’m undecided but it feels that Elvanse works “the best” for me with fewer side effects…
Apart from the minor energy boost, I still struggle immensely.
Particularly with “getting up and going” in the morning and the hours…It’s difficult to describe – my body and mind isn’t connected as much as I’d like. It doesn’t help that I struggle with bodily sensations when it is cold. Which I am!
My understanding is that my medicin is contributing to this annoyance. But truth is I’ve always been extra sensitive to cold – especially my hands and arms. I can feel like a fridge!!!
This in turn makes me more passive/lethargic.
And that can quickly feed into doing absolutely nothing. It sucks. And when Winter arrives it will be worse…
I’ve many times wished to be the opposite like others and radiate heat.
Or build tolerance. That haven’t worked out well (I’ve done “30 day cold shower challenge” before, and occasionally still take cold showers. In Sweden a cold shower is truly that…it’s almost excruciating for my hands. So no more).
And I would love to say that the feeling of hopelessness and anxiety would be reduced with medicin…but that haven’t been the case.
Which is why I’m desperate looking for options…
What would you recommend as the most “essential” supplements together with my above medicin?
And perhaps the general coldness I feel?
[edited for length]
Thank you and hope you have great weekend,
Josef.
Josef, feeling cold all the time likely has to do with your thyroid so I highly recommend that you get a full thyroid panel done. Because ADHD stimulants have been shown to cause hypothyroidism (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC2784889/).
You need most of the stack in the yellow box at the top of this article. That will support you use of stimulants and you’ll find they work better and dosed correctly there is no stimulant crash late afternoon.
But they will not help you feeling cold all the time. The only thing that will help with that is you get Free T4 and Free T3 optimized (forget about TSH). And you do that with thyroid meds (either synthetic like Synthroid or natural desiccated thyroid).
Thank you David for your quick reply!
1) I have done bloodwork in the past (mainly Testosterone) but never full thyroid panel, thank you for recommending that!
2) I currently take Zinc, Magnesium, Iron (all seperate pills/bottles) + fish oil and D-vitamin. All at once with a meal.
Do you recommend a better way? Only reason I take them all at once is not to forget.
3) Apparently I have L-TYROSIN, L-TEANIN and N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) at home since before!
But L-TEANIN capsules expired June this year, do you think it is worthless? It’s a shame since I’ve barely touched the bottle.
4) Unfortunately not all of the stack in the yellow box are allowed in Sweden..
But for now I’ve placed order on ALCAR and KSM66/Ashwaganda.
How do you think I should go on about introducing all five new supplements?
I am currently taking Elvanse/Vyanse 50mg + the vitamins above.
No coffee or nictoine for me either.
Maybe KSM66 after having done full thyroid panel but apart from that I’m not sure how to structure the “schedule”.
Thank you again and your wonderful site with valuable info! I wish I found it sooner..
Sincerely, Josef.
Josef, the key supplements to support Vyvanse are L-Tyrosine to increase dopamine, Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline (Citicoline) with ALCAR to increase acetylcholine, DHA 1,000 mg per day to support neuron and brain cell membrane health, and a high quality and bioactive Multi to provide the vitamins and minerals that work as cofactors for the synthesis of dopamine and acetylcholine.
Hello again David!
I did the research now!
Bought quality CDP-Choline, ALCAR, KSM-66/Ash and Omega3 from Algae (to easily reach DHA 1,000 mg).
I also have L-Tyrosin, L-Theanine, NAC.
My final question is how would you take all above supplements for maximal benefit?
Like “A” + “B” at the same time? With or without food? Morning or evening?
e.g. I’ve read conflicting information regarding supplements with food. The amino acids will “compete” with eachother for uptake. And I usually take my Elvanse with a protein shake. I donät know if supplements wil be wasted or not that way…
Any further clarification would help but regardless thanks for the supplement direction you provided! I can at least try them out now and see what works!
Also I’m awaiting results for my thyroid (blood work for TH, T3 and T4).
Sincerely, Josef.
Josef, CDP-Choline, ALCAR, L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine and NAC 3-times per day with Vyvanse. Morning, noon and late afternoon to prevent a stimulant crash.
Ashwagandha and Omega-3 can be taken once in the morning.
I suggest that you do not get caught up in the transporter conflict, empty stomach, or with a meal thing. It makes things too complicated. Just take your stack all at once with water and a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil. The oil ensures the fat-soluble ingredients will be used.
Hello David
Our 13.5 year old son, diagnosed with ADHD and ODD, is struggling. For years I focused on a variety of dietary and supplement interventions. However, he have recently begun Vyvanse. While it has helped him focus and attend to tasks at school (though not to the degree I had anticipated), post-school he is grumpy, argumentative, and defiant. His appetite has reduced and he has difficulty falling asleep. I am considering adding ALCAR, L-tyrosine and NAC to his day. Would this be appropriate? If so, what doses would you suggest for a 60kg man-child. My family would SO appreciate any advise you can offer. Best Tania
Tania, those are considered common side effects from using Vyvanse (https://www.drugs.com/monograph/lisdexamfetamine.html). ALCAR, L-tyrosine and NAC are all good supplements for supporting its use. You’ll have more success dosing them in smaller amounts twice per day.
I suggest also adding Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline which is used along with ALCAR to increase acetylcholine. Also 100 mg L-Theanine 2 or 3-times per day should provide a calming effect.
You might have good success trying Mind Lab Pro (https://bit.ly/3uAGRbk) which is only two capsules instead of the 3 separate supplements you mentioned. It may be easier to manage and may provide the same or similar benefit for someone that young. And you can safely double the dose as well if necessary by using 2 caps in the morning and 2 caps at noon.
Hello David, just curious…..what makes you choose Ritalin over adderall?
Jason, I tried Adderall and it did not work for me. The mechanism of action is different for each of them. My brain reacts best to Ritalin.
I would like to book a consult, but don’t have Skype. No matter how many times I email about this, I don’t get a response.
I am in the UK and really need a consult as soon as is possible.
Please let me know if this is possible.
Adam, my email inbox is completely overwhelmed so if there is an email from you in there it’s buried under 11,000 unread messages. My apologies.
We can use WhatsApp instead of Skype. Here is a link to my calendar: https://calendly.com/davidtomen/60min. When you schedule just indicate in the signup that you’d like to use WhatsApp instead of Skype and I’ll send you my number.
Hi David,
Is it safe to add the following to your ADHD stack in this article?:
Ginkgo Biloba, 60mg x2 daily
Cordyceps, 1mg-3mg daily
Grapeseed extract, 250-400mg daily
Piracetam, 3.2-6g daily
Noopept, 10-30mg daily
Magnesium Glycenate, 400mg daily
Vitamin C, 500mg daily
NAC, 600mg x3 daily
L-Lysine, 1-2g daily
ZzQuil Pure Zzzs (Melatonin, Chamomile, Lavender)
Green Tea Extract, 1000mg daily
Coffee – 1-4 cups/day (400mg caffeine)
Thank you!
Ed, it is safe to use that stack with my ADHD stack. But are you sure you need that much Piracetam daily? The usual dose is 1,600 mg 3-times per day WITH a choline supplement each time. Either Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline. Which may already be in your ADHD stack.
Hi David,
Thank you so much for clarifying the safety of this combination!
Regarding the piracetam: My typing made that a bit unclear – I take 3.2g up to 6g per day, divided in 1200mg dosages (I try to average 4.8g per day, and compensate on days where I took less the previous day). My biggest frustration is combining piracetam with coffee. Even with a half a cup of coffee early in the morning, the piracetam makes it very difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. I wish there was a way to speed the metabolism of the caffeine, so that I could drink 4 cups (400mg caffeine) in the morning, and have it out of my system by the time I go to bed. So far, my research has led me to one risky supplement, rutaecarpine. It effectively speeds up caffeine metabolism by 50%, but has serious liver implications and is well understudied.
Also yes, I do take 300mg to 600mg per day of alpha-GPC.
On the topic of interaction safety, do you have any posts that discuss the safety of taking Nootropics during the COVID-19 vaccination process? I am holding out for Novavax, and I am planning on taking it in the next few months when it comes out.
However, I am worried about whether or not many of the supplements I am taking will somehow interact negatively with the ingredients in the vaccine. Should I stop any specific supplements during the vaccination process? For how long before/during/after should I abstain? Similarly, are there any supplements that I SHOULD be taking to assist either the efficacy of the vaccine and/or reduce vaccine side effects?
If there is already a discussion on this, would you mind pointing me to it? (And if not, I would love to start one! 🙂
Ed, great question and the only supplement I know of that may be contraindicated with the COVID-19 vaccine is Quercetin (https://nootropicsexpert.com/quercetin/).
I have no proof of this but Quercetin can inactivate the COVID virus. So my theory is that it may also inactivate the vaccine before it gets a chance to build up antibodies in your system. So best to stop using Quercetin a couple of weeks before the vaccine. And don’t re-start it until 2 weeks after the vaccine.
Hi David, I am worried about the combination of racetams and Ritalin. While it seems that most agree that amphetamines + racetams = excitotoxicity, there seems to be equal and opposite opinions on whether or not the same is true for Ritalin + racetams (For Ritalin + racetams, I find arguments for/against not just excitotoxicity, but also other forms of neurotoxicity). As someone with ADD who responds extremely well to both Piracetam and Ritalin, I would love to combine both. I would also like to try adding Noopept and Aniracetam – using one or the other to stack with Ritalin and Piracetam.
All this to ask – how can you say with confidence that you can recommend taking Aniracetam with Ritalin? Would you mind posting links to any studies that prove this combination to be safe? (Also, any studies demonstrating the safety of Ritalin with Noopept and/or Piracetam would also be greatly appreciated – I can’t find anything.) Thank you so much!
Ed, I cannot recommend combining any of the Racetams with Ritalin because we have no studies demonstrating their safety. The only one that exists is this with 4 case reports: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4756795/
I’ve been using Ritalin and Aniracetam for many years with success and no unwanted side effects. But that is only how my system reacts to these two compounds. This combination may or may not be safe for anyone else. There is no way to tell unless you try them.
Again, I am NOT confident that you’ll be safe using Aniracetam with Ritalin. Because there is no way to predict how your system will react to this combo.
Hi David,
Thank you for your reply. Yes, I completely understand.
What worries me is that, according to the internet, excitotoxicity isn’t something that can be felt or observed (at least in the short term). And so, even though I may respond well to the combination, I fear I may still be causing my brain irreparable harm.
By the way, I ended up finding a very recent study on the combination of methylphenidate and piracetam. Children were treated for 6 weeks with this combination, with extremely favorable results compared to the control group (who just took methylphenidate). However, it is obviously not a brain biopsy, nor was there any neural imaging. I think one or both would be required to confirm the neurological safety of this combination. FYI, here is a link to that study:
https://sites.kowsarpub.com/ijpbs/articles/59421.html
In the comments at the bottom, I have just entered a request to investigate the safety of combining piracetam and methylphenidate, with respect to excitotoxicity and other forms of neurotoxicity. Hopefully, they will follow through and shed light on this widely contentious topic!
Thank you for your help, David!
ED, be very careful with “according to the internet” because anyone can publish anything and it does not necessarily mean it’s valid info.
But the study you found is valid and a good find. I cannot see a how combining those two would be a problem. But you can put money on that combo sending someone to the ER. And why can’t say it’s safe to use. It may be for you but not the person beside you.
Continue to do your research and fully understand how each compound works in your brain. Then decide for yourself if you think it is safe. But NOT “according to the internet” please.
I’m glad you approve of the study – it is very encouraging to see that they are testing this combination!
Ah yes sorry – I was being a bit facetious with that phrase 🙂 Let me clarify:
What I have understood is that the brain itself has no pain receptors, and that any sensations of pain or discomfort are actually generated by the tissues surrounding the brain (but not the brain itself). And so, when it comes to neurotoxicity, the fact that you can’t “feel” it is worrisome.
Additionally, cognitive decline is something that is rarely noticed by the perceiver (who is usually the last one to know). The most prominent demonstration of this is in the elderly. Many say they feel their brain is working as good as always, when family members are forced to tell them otherwise, for their own safety. The only real way to personally observe one’s cognitive cognitive decline seems to be through purpose-build tests.
And so for me, these two aspects of the brain make long-term excitotoxicity/cognitive degenration a worry when it comes to supplements.
Thank you so much for your helpful insight, David!!!
Hi,
Dr John Grey is a great believer in using Lithium Orotate to treat children with ADHD. My 9 year old niece has ADHD and possible Autism. Is N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine safe to use with Lithium Orotate. I purchased myself a bottle of NALT that I wish to give to her as you mention on this website that it is good for ADHD.
Jennifer, yes, NALT is safe to use with Lithium Orotate. I’ve been doing it for years without a problem.
Hi David,
my 9 year old Niece has ADHD. I think she may be taking Concerta for it or some other medication. Her Mother didn’t want to have to resort to medication for her but based on her behaviour and problems at school she thought it was best to put her on medication. I myself prefer natural supplements instead of prescription drugs. Is it possible to effectively treat her without her medication using L-Tyrosine and Rhodiola Rosea? If so does she need to wean off her medication? if so what are the details in regards to how she would wean off? How much L-Tyrosine and Rhodiola Rosea would she need to take a day?
Jennifer, you cannot naturally treat ADHD with just Tyrosine and Rhodiola Rosea. To do it successfully you need a stack like the one in the yellow box near the top of this article which includes Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline, ALCAR, L-Tyrosine, Phosphatidylserine (PS), DHA, magnesium and a high quality multivitamin.
Hi David,
25 year old here. I finally went in for an ADHD diagnosis after almost a decade of struggling. I started the year off testing nootropics and found they were not effective enough. I was first prescribed Strattera for 2 months but it was not effective (maybe helped anxiety and working memory a bit) and had an abundance of side effects. I am now on a low dose of Concerta and it is definitely more effective. A couple of weeks before I started on Strattera, I cut out all nootropics I was taking. Now that I am on Concerta, I would like to start back on a small stack. I have Rhodiola Rosea, Lion’s Mane, and Bacopa Monnieri on hand. Would either of these three possibly be beneficial in stacking with concerta? Any other nootropics you recommend? I have vinpocetine as well though I have read it could contradict some of the effects of concerta and since I am on a low dose, I rather not interfere with its effectiveness. Thanks.
I’ll add that I take a B-complex, vitamin D+k and Zinc supplement daily.
Mike, the stack listed in the yellow box near the top of this article is great for supporting Concerta use and preventing a stimulant crash at the end of the day. The key is increasing dopamine and acetylcholine levels so Concerta has something to work with.
And using nootropics like Lion’s Mane for ongoing brain repair and maintenance.
Vinpocetine works great with most stimulants and nootropics because it stimulates cerebral blood flow. Which means more oxygen and nutrients for a healthier brain and better cognitive performance.
Since coenzyme Q10, baicalein and N-Acetyl L-Cysteine are noted to protect against amphetamine-caused toxicity and brain damage, in your other article – why are they not recommended in the stack (or listed as some of the most important in the other ‘stacks’ here) in this article? I see two of them are listed further below, among some others, but judging from the description in the ‘smart drugs’ artricle, they sound like they’d be more central – especially to those who do take ADHD meds.
Thomas, I’ve 13 ways to boost BDNF for brain health and repair in this article: https://nootropicsexpert.com/13-nootropics-to-boost-bdnf/. And there are another 6 – 7 that also boost BDNF or Nerve Growth Factor not included in that article. There are so many ways to reduce toxicity and brain damage that I need to draw the line somewhere.
BTW, I don’t recall doing a review or any research on baicalein. Maybe you’re thinking of someone else?
Hello David.
No, I was referencing your other article – this one mentioned baicalein:
https://nootropicsexpert.com/smart-drugs-the-bad-and-the-ugly/
Hi Thomas, I forgot all about including baicalein in that article. Makes sense after you see the study I linked to that prompted me to include it: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16887252/.
Not sure there is enough evidence to do a full review for baicalein as a nootropic. But it does look effective in protecting your brain from Adderall use.
Looks like I should add a few more options to this section of the article above: Repairing Neuroreceptors Needed to Control ADHD. And possibly change that sub-head to better reflect what it’s for.
Hi David. I’m glad I could shed some light and give a reminder then.
If I just want my ADHD medication (and maybe tyrosine) to work sufficiently without causing me neurotoxicity (and thus bad side effects?) do you think it’s enough to just take Q10 or NAC? Or both? Or more, for that to work?
Thomas, definitely L-Tyrosine. I personally use more than just CoQ10 and NAC to prevent neurotoxicity. And that includes using Mind Lab Pro daily and adding Lion’s Mane extract as well.
You may be able to get away with just those two but better to be safe in my opinion. I only have one brain and can’t afford to damage it just because I need to use stimulants.
I’ve had problems with L-tyrosine and often experienced toxic dopaminergic effects from L-T (both in combination with meds and without).
But is Q10 and NAC enough to make medicine work without toxicity? It was fine in the beginning. (I also use tryptophan at night, but no difference.)
Thomas, glad you told me that. CoQ10 and NAC are not toxic as long as you use recommended dosages.
Hi David. I’m recently diagnosed with ADHD. I’m taking methylphenidate ER 20mg morning 10 mg afternoon (it’s my second month with meds). Even I notice some benefits, it doesn’t suppress my appetite. I’m overweight and I’ve lost weight before with phentermine. So I’m thinking maybe increasing dopamine and norepinephrine would help me.
I’m also started taking Tyrosine 500mg one or two times per day and Berberine 400 mg (2 times per day). I’m thinking of adding DL-Phenylalanine. What do you recommend to me? What is more effective to increase neurotransmitters? Thanks!
Jazmin, Tyrosine and FL-Phenylalanine both increase dopamine because they are precursors to its synthesis.
What can I add to this stack to decrease hunger or cravings? I’ve been taking Ritalin for so many years, it no longer suppresses my hunger. I’d like to drop some weight… approx 15 pounds overweight. Thanks
Kaycin, Berberine (https://nootropicsexpert.com/berberine/) and Whey Protein (https://bit.ly/35QRETJ) are often used for weight loss.
Thank you David… I have found that this stack works very well for me. Adding Berberine was too intense maybe I’ll try it again another time.
A couple of the supplements above are dosed at 750mg 2x a day. I have 500mg capsules so I have been taking them 500mg 3x a day.
That’s fine, right?
Performance Labs Energy is on back order, it’s suppressed to ship late July. At this moment that’s the only supplement I’m not taking in the yellow box.
I know and I miss it too. For now I’ve been using 1,000 mg ALCAR twice per day. Not quite as good but will tide me over until July.
Kaycin, you’d likely be fine with 500 mg twice per day. But if 3-times per day works for you then keep doing it!
David,
What is the best nutritional approach for a 9-year-old girl diagnosed with ADHD
Howard, Dr. Daniel Amen is the best person to ask about ADHD in a 9 yr. old.
But in general a clean diet with little processed food or sugar. And a slimmed down version of the nootropic stack I describe in the yellow box at the top of this article. You don’t need Sulbutiamine, Aniracetam or Vinpocetine. But the rest of the stack at a much lower dose should help with or without stimulant meds.
Hello, so glad I found your article. I have inattentive ADD and take adderall standard release (don’t like XR). I also take escitalopram and low dose gabapentin for anxiety. After all of the chaos of the past year+, the struggle of ADD is very real. The adderall helps tremendously, but it just isn’t quite doing it for me. As a mom of a 2 and 4 year old and wife, I need to find something to help in addition to the adderall. I’d say I’m struggling with motivation the most right now, which causes stress, and having difficulty finding excitement in anything after the past year of cancellations. I am currently searching for a specialist rather than generic psychiatrist. In the mean time, I came across your page and thought I’d ask for your recommendation as I am new to supplements and nootropics.
Mama, if you did a consultation with me I would recommend the list of supplements in the yellow box near the top of this article. The only “optional” supplements in that list are Sulbutiamine and Aniracetam. That is the nootropic stack that I take 2 or 3-times per day (depending on the supplement) for Adult ADD and Ritalin IR.
Hi David
I have adhd as well and I’ve tried alot of the nootropics on your list, to help me cope. However, I’m extremely sensitive to anything that raises norepinephrine/dopamine in my brain, so when i take tyrosine or drink coffee, I get a lift in my mood and motivation, but i also become more hyperactive, scatterbrained and impulsive. So could that be an indicator of my gaba or serotonin levels being too low, and would you recommend adding in some 5 htp/tryptophan or gaba with it?
Thank you in advance.
Ali, if that is your experience when using L-Tyrosine then it’s either dopamine or norepinephrine causing those symptoms. Cut back on your dose of L-Tyrosine as much as you can while still experiencing the ADHD benefits.
Pretty sure it’s not low GABA or serotonin causing that. But it would not hurt to try adding L-Tryptophan to raise serotonin because dopamine and serotonin must be in balance or nasty things happen.
And try adding PharmaGABA or L-Glutamine to raise your GABA levels and see if that helps.
I take Concerta XL for ADHD which helps a lot but I was still suffering low mood swings daily.
I’m also taking:
Vitamin B6
Pine Bark Extract
Grape Seed Extract
Fish Oils
Magnesium
Green Tea Extract
Vitamin C
Vitamin D3
I also take the following for joint/Rsi prevention:
Glucosamine
Stinging Nettle Extract
A couple of weeks ago I added 5-htp and my mood seems to be improving.
I also ordered Macuna Puriens but am hesitant to add it. Is it best to avoid whilst on Concerta XL? Also is there anything you would suggest removing or adding to my current supplements.
Kindest regards,
Scott.
Scott, my recommendations for use with Concerta is in the yellow box at the top of this article.
Get rid of Vitamin B6 and replace it with a bioactive B-Complex or high quality multivitamin. Ditch the fish oil and use 1,000 mg DHA per day.
Forget about 5-HTP and use 500 mg L-Tryptophan before bed.
During the day you need 500 mg L-Tyrosine 2 – 3-times per day, 300 mg Alpha GPC 2 – 3-times per day, 500 mg ALCAR 2 – 3-times per day.
L-Tyrosine is far safer and easier to dose than Mucuna Pruriens. The herb provides L-DOPA which is a direct precursor to dopamine but the amount depends on the strength of the extract. And L-DOPA is usually used to treat Parkinson’s and not ADD.
Hello!
Thank you for publishing this information, it has helped me *tremendously*.
B1 helps me with my stutter and I take the water soluable form b/c i’ve been cautioned against the fat soluble version “building up” …somewhere.
I’m curious if you run into that with Sulbutiamine? Id like to try it. How did you come up with your dosage regiment for that of 400mg 2x/day.
My other question is “is there anything that you *don’t* take MCT oil with?” Or does that universally help absorption?
Thank you!
Matt
Matt, I’ve been using that dose of Sulbutiamine for at least 10 years. And have not had a problem with it. That’s not to say you will experience the same thing.
Some people say they grow tolerant to it if used daily. And take it every 2nd day or take a 2 day holiday during the week.
Any fat-soluble supplement has the potential to build up in fat cells where the excess is stored.
But Sulbutiamine is the ONLY form of thiamine that easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Other forms including the other synthetic versions are water soluble, can’t cross into the brain, and you eliminate any excess in urine before the day it out.
Hi David! I’m ADD and SAD and besides Ritalin I take Venlafaxine. Can I take all of these nootropics without a problem? Or there are some I can’t take?
Carolos, Ritalin is no problem. But you will likely have problems with some of them because you are using Venlafaxine which is a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI).
Mind Lab Pro and L-Tyrosine should not be used with that type of drug.