|
|
Post by verona on Mar 9, 2014 14:16:11 GMT -5
Hi,
I haven't posted for a while. My son has ADHD mostly inattentive and took Concerta during grades 6 and 7. He stopped at the end of last school year and is refusing to try meds again. His grades are not good and he seems to miss a lot of instructions and explanations at school. I tutor him at home, which is pretty painful for both of us. he recently tried a Red Bulll and felt like it really helped him focus. he said it felt like his ears were unblocked. I don't feel good about giving him this with his breakfast, but if it helps, i am tempted. Any opinions? The amount of caffeine (80mg) doesn't seem outrageous, but I worry about the other ingredients....
|
|
|
|
Post by healthy11 on Mar 9, 2014 14:19:44 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by verona on Mar 9, 2014 14:35:08 GMT -5
At 14 he would, of couse, never mix these drinks with alcohol and he is aware that drinking more than1 per day could be dangerous. He is not overweight and does not drink any sodas, caffeinated or otherwise. i have looked at information online, and the biggest risks seem to be the high sugar content that could lead to obesity or tooth decay. Besides this, is anyone aware of other risks I should consider?
|
|
|
|
Post by healthy11 on Mar 9, 2014 15:53:29 GMT -5
My own son, who has ADHD, used to say that when he drank a cup of caffeinated coffee, it didn't "keep him awake" like many other people, but that it had a mild calming effect. The following articles seems to say that despite individual claims, controlled studies haven't been able to prove the benefits of caffeine : psychcentral.com/lib/caffeines-effect-on-adhd-symptoms/0003050 and www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/caffeine-for-adhd/Having said that, maybe your son is an individual who does have a positive response to caffeine, but I wonder how long he feels the benefits last? I doubt one energy drink is enough to get him through the entire school day. If he wants to consume caffeine, it would be better to forego Red Bull with all its other additives and just see what happens with plain coffee, according to www.caffeineinformer.com/energy-drink-side-effects |
|
|
|
Post by verona on Mar 9, 2014 16:30:33 GMT -5
yes, i have suggested coffee, but he doesn't like the taste. I am pretty sure my DH has ADHD and he "self medicates" with coffee. . . which made me think caffeine might work at least a bit. The school day is 6 hours, so any effect would probably be wearing off by the end of the day. There are caffeine pills as well, but DS balks at anything in a pill form ( even omega 3s) .... makes him feel broken or not normal.....he's a difficult person to reason with.....if it was up to me he would be taking Concerta.
|
|
|
|
Post by coach1 on Apr 8, 2014 11:31:06 GMT -5
Those Energy drinks work alot like the meds. If you look into the way they work you will see they boost alot of the same brain chemicals.
People around my work drink coffee all day long, I think they are self medicating.
Jarrow formulas has Brain Booster supplement that uses similar things in it as the energy drinks.
|
|
