Input & emotional support required from add community

[stariefr]

I have the adult adhd issue.Only nicotine seems to help.I did quit smoking but then I cant concentrate.Time management and motivation are becoming big issues.Not sure if any of you guys have the same issue.I am highly educated person and dont want to continue downhill journey.Any help

[happy_kitty]

Have you spoken to a medical professional about medication or counseling? Both of these can be helpful albeit expensive.

There are lifestyle changes that may help as well. Proper diet and exercise can improve brain function, and learning organizational strategies and other tip and tricks can help compensate for your differences.

[Eclecticentric77]

Hi there, I posted a pretty lengthy post a while ago about the reasons why there are frequent nicotine users in the ADHD community. One of the main reasons is because nicotine helps the brain create a good amount of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter people with ADHD lack. Lack of Acetylcholine causes problems with time management, reasoning, muscle contraction, learning disabilities, and mood swings.

I take a small dose stimulant medication along with a helpful group of supplements to help my medication work to its full potential and to help eliminate negative side effects. One of the supplements I take called R-Alpha Lipoic acid, helps the brain utilize Acetylcholine more. Thankfully it is also one of the strongest antioxidants out there, and helps fight off the oxidation from stimulant use, thus making my medication feel smoother.

Not sure how much of a nicotine user you were before, but there are also other supplements that are really helpful in helping the brain with Acetylcholine. I had to do some trial and error in order to find an Acetylcholine supplement that worked best for my mind and body. R-Alpha Lipoic acid works best for me, but here are some others you might want to look into, especially if you really lack Acetylcholine.

Alpha GPC: was a bit too much for me, even at the lowest dose available. It's a strong supplement

Lemon Balm: was actually pretty good, helped greatly with reasoning and time managment, but gave me sleeping issues.

Gota Kola: made my mood flat, I felt like Ben Stein reading the dictionary out loud.

CDP Choline: worked out nice for a while, but started leaving me in a really bad mood once it wore off.

Here is a link to my post on Acetylcholine incase you're interested in why people with ADHD lack Acetylcholine. I also have a link on my page of the supplements I take if you're ever interested.

healthunlocked.com/adult-AD....

[Lovinit]

I’ve been smoking since I was 16, I’m 37 and I don’t look, smell or sound like a smoker. Maybe because I don’t smoke a ton of cigarettes every day. I don’t some in my house and at work maybe I will take one smoke break. Average I have a few a day. And when I do it I enjoy it and im not opposed to it

[Lovinit]

How’s your journey going with the nicotine dilemma