Question about Supplements

[workoutmom]

I've read numerous articles about how children with ADHD lack dopamine...has anyone ever given their child either dopamine or GABA supplements??

Thanks in advance!

[skoby]

I've used GABA regularly in the past for my son. It's a calming supplement (the antagonist to the neurotransmitter Glutamate). For my son, it helped with his sleep. My son is inattentive, not hyper -- but I've heard from others that it can be very successful in chilling out a hyper kid. In all of my research, I found it to be a safe supplement to use so I don't see any downside to trying it if you're interested. You'll know in a couple days if it's having a positive effect. Just make sure you're buying from a reputable company as supplements are not regulated.

I don't know of any supplements of "dopamine" but there are supplements that support its production. Tyrosine is an amino acid that can support dopamine. You can also increase tyrosine containing foods in your child's diet -- think almonds, bananas, avocados, eggs, beans, fish, and chicken. This could help support dopamine production.

Also, if you're interested in medications, the drug wellbutrin/buproprion is both an anti-depressant and adhd medication. It works by inhibiting dopamine reuptake, leading to increased dopamine levels in the synapse. This has been helpful to my son. Not a cure, but helpful.

Good luck.

[Grammy2009 in reply to skoby]

Can you recommend a brand or a link for the GABA you used.

Thank you

[skoby in reply to Grammy2009]

I like the GABA from holisticheal.com (holisticheal.com/gaba-balan.... It's just GABA and nothing else. You can open the capsule and start with half a dose and increase slowly until you see a benefit. Too much will make a person sleepy.