Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) is one of the most common childhood-onset psychiatric disorders. It is distinguished by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADD/ADHD may be accompanied by learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders. The disorder itself may have several different causes, including elevated lead levels, abnormal thyroid function, morphologic brain differences and EEG patterns, nutritional deficits, and neurochemical imbalances.
ADD/ADHD Awareness and Comorbidity
With ongoing public awareness of ADD/ADHD, pediatricians continue to see increased referrals of children with suspected ADHD. Co-morbidity is also highly prevalent in association with ADD/ADHD, and almost one-third of children with ADD/ADHD have more than one comorbid condition.1
Evaluation and Diagnosis
Numerous rating scales and medical tests for evaluation and diagnosis of ADHD are available, with a mixed expert opinion on their usefulness. Historically, the traditional medical diagnosis has been based heavily on scales and questionnaires such as the Conners Rating Scale, Conners Abbreviated Teacher Questionnaire, and various parent rating scales with limited reliability. Medical screening and diagnostic approaches rely on assessment for lead toxicity, abnormal thyroid function, electroencephalogram (EEG) studies and/or neurological screening tests. These diagnostic methods have also proven to be both inadequate and inaccurate.
Complementary Evaluation of ADD/ADHD
In July 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based ADHD Assessment Aid (NEBA) as the first device for the complementary evaluation of ADD/ADHD. It is based on quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) and includes brain wave testing that uses the standardized theta/beta ratio as a tool for determining whether the ADD/ADHD is primary, secondary or comorbid to another pathology.2 However, to date no data are provided to be able to discriminate between diagnostic subtypes of ADD/ADHD.
ADD/ADHD: Traditional Medical Treatment
The traditional medical model has essentially one offer for patients with ADD/ADHD: stimulant medications. Many parents are concerned about the effects of these medications for treating ADD/ADHD because of their stimulant nature, as well as kids often continue to take them for years. Stimulant medications are controlled substances, which means they have the potential for abuse.
ADD/ADHD and Stimulant Medication
It’s not easy making decisions about medication for ADD/ADHD, but doing your due diligence can help you achieve long-term success. Medication may help improve the ability to concentrate, control impulses, plan ahead, and follow through with tasks. However, it isn’t a magic pill that will fix all of your or your child’s problems. Even when the medication is working, a patient may continue to struggle with ancillary symptoms such as forgetfulness, emotional problems, social awkwardness, disorganization, distractibility, and/or relationship difficulties. That’s why it’s so important to also make lifestyle changes that include regular exercise, a healthy diet, proper and personalized nutrition, and sufficient sleep.
Considerations for Medication
Medication doesn’t cure ADHD. It may improve symptoms while it’s being taken, but once medication stops, those symptoms come back. Also, medication works better for some than for others. Some people experience dramatic improvement while others experience only modest gains. Because each person responds differently and unpredictably to medication, its use should always be personalized to the individual and closely monitored.
Personalized Medicine
Here is where the opportunity for personalized medicine comes into play with a functional medicine mindset, looking at each patient as an individual, evaluating the role of diet, nutritional status, neurotransmitter balance, toxic load, hormone function, and qEEG electrical patterns into the cause of the symptoms for EACH SPECIFIC individual. Remember, we are talking about treating causes, not chasing symptoms or sets of symptoms.
The Role of Dopamine in ADD/ADHD Treatment
Stimulant medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement. As part of evaluating a given patient’s neurotransmitter balance, with a close eye on dopamine and its relationship to other critical neurotransmitters, we can assess, monitor and treat potential dopamine imbalances if present by means other than stimulant medications, such as herbal and nutritional medicines.
ADD/ADHD and Mucuna Pruriens
Herbally, our go-to would be Mucuna pruriens, a plant from India, the Caribbean, and Africa. It is a climbing shrub that has the ability to grow white, lavender, or purple flowers and causes itching upon physical contact with the outer hairs and skin. Mucuna pruriens contains L-DOPA, or Levodopa, the precursor to dopamine and seen as the main constituent3, yet also contains serotonin (and its precursor, 5-HTP), and dietary minerals in small amounts, such as selenium, iron and magnesium.4 Mucuna pruriens supplementation has also been shown to affect hormone levels, specifically suppression of prolactin levels in vivo and increase in testosterone.5
Mucuna Pruriens, Neurotransmitters, and ADD/ADHD
The L-Dopa contained within Mucuna pruriens can cross the blood-brain barrier and interface directly with the brain and central nervous system. L-Dopa is a direct precursor to dopamine, and also releases compounds which boost production of norepinephrine, and adrenaline. These neurohormones are known to regulate energy, create intense feelings of euphoria and physical pleasure, and aid in muscle coordination and movement. Since Mucuna can also increase levels of serotonin, it contributes to mood enhancement and stress relief.
ADD/ADHD treatment: Mucuna Pruriens as a Safe Alternative
Mucuna pruriens’ benefits for mind and body outweigh any possible side effects for most people. The boost in epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine give a notable boost to energy and focus, without the edgy qualities that might come from the use of stimulant medications. Users report that jittery nerves are not among significant Mucuna pruriens side effects. One large double-blind study noted no significant adverse effects from 15-30g of Mucuna pruriens powder over the course of 12-20 weeks.6 In rats, doses of 32mg/kg or above are associated with ‘some adverse side effects’ (hyperventilation, reduced spontaneous motor activity, spontaneous erections) that appeared 1 hour after ingestion transiently, and doses up to 100mg/kg are free from more significant side effects for up to 12 weeks.7
ADD/ADHD, Mucuna Pruriens, and your patient
Mucuna pruriens provides a perception of mental focus and heightened concentration which is of great benefit for anyone suffering from ADD/ADHD. Mucuna pruriens provides a natural alternative which in many cases is more effective than its prescription counterparts. It has a long track record of safe use, and in modern users, it rarely presents side effects within moderate dosages, of which 500 mg per day represents a typical dose. Dosages as low as 100 mg per day may still generate the Mucuna pruriens dopamine response, while up to 1 gram per day is generally considered very safe.
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References:
- Green M, Wong M, Atkins D, et al. Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Technical Reviews, No. 3. Rockville (MD): Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (US); 1999 Aug.
- Delgado-Mejía ID1, Palencia-Avendaño ML, Mogollón-Rincón C, Etchepareborda MC. Theta/beta ratio (NEBA) in the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Rev Neurol. 2014 Feb 24;58 Suppl 1:S57-63.
- Tomita-Yokotani K, et al. Distribution of L-DOPA in the root of the velvet bean plant (Mucuna pruriens L.) and gravity. Biol Sci Space. 2004 Nov;18(3):165-6.
- Bhat R, Sridhar KR, Seena S. Nutritional quality evaluation of velvet bean seeds (Mucuna pruriens) exposed to gamma irradiation. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2008 Jun;59(4):261-78.
- Shukla KK, et al. Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. Fertil Steril. 2009 Dec;92(6):1934-40.
- Katzenschlager R, et al. Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson’s disease: a double-blind clinical and pharmacological study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004 Dec;75(12):1672-7.
- Majekodunmi SO, et al. Evaluation of the anti-diabetic properties of Mucuna pruriens seed extract. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2011 Aug;4(8):632-6.
