Let’s start with a small science lesson, shall we?
You know of course that your ADHD is centered around your brain. Because you have ADHD, your brain functions differently than brains who do not have ADHD.
You have neurotransmitters in your brain; these chemicals transport information in your brain and body.
Dopamine is one of these neurotransmitter chemicals. It is responsible for learning, understanding, and movement. It also helps with focus and depression.
There are a number of ways to help increase dopamine levels in your brain:
- Phosphatidylserine is a supplement that can be taken to help with your ADHD symptoms.
- Ginkgo Biloba is not as highly regarded as it used to be, mostly because many of it’s claims have not been proven with scientific research. It can, however, increase dopamine to some extent.
- Green tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine which can improve memory and increase dopamine.
- L-tyrosine is perhaps the best of all, the one you should try first. And while you can buy it as a supplement, you can also get it from the foods you eat, which to me, is a better way.
Here are 5 categories of foods that can help add l-tyrosine to your body, which will help increase your dopamine levels:
- Dairy such as eggs, milk, cheese, and yogurt can add l-tyrosine to your body.
- Seafood such as shrimp, salmon, cod, orange roughy, mahi, and haddock. You can also find l-tyrosine in turkey.
- Soy and hydrolyzed soy protein have high levels of l-tyrosine, however because of the dangers that they can cause to your health, I personally would not recommend them. See this article, this one, and this one.
- A few leafy green vegetables can help with l-tyrosine levels; spirulina (algae), seaweed, and mustard greens. If you’ve never had them, mustard greens are similar to spinach.
- Beans, nuts, and seeds are also good sources of l-tyrosine. Superstars are lima beans, almonds, and pumpkin seeds.
Whether you choose to use a supplement, change your diet, or a little of both, you might find it worthwhile to increase your body’s l-tyrosine levels.
If you found this to be helpful, be sure to pin or share it. Thanks!
