Best OTC Adderall Alternative Nootropics: Natural Supplements That Work!

Blood Sugar Breakthrough is a potent Adderall replacement as it helps to stabilize your body and brain's glucose metabolism.

Researchers have found a correlation between ADHD and blood sugar which makes sense since the ADHD brain craves dopamine stimulation that can be obtained through simple carbs and high-sugar foods. You've most likely experienced moments of hunger where you found it impossible to focus.²⁰Mark F McCarty, James J DiNicolantonio , Neuroprotective potential of high-dose biotin, Med Hypotheses. 2017

Unstable blood glucose levels enhance this craving and deprive your brain of the dopamine it needs. Blood Sugar Breakthrough optimizes your body's glycemic response to food which helps stabilize your blood sugar and focus.²¹NIH, Chromium, NIH. 2021²²Kate Petersen Shay, Régis F. Moreau,1 Eric J. Smith, Anthony R. Smith, and Tory M. Hagen, Alpha-lipoic acid as a dietary supplement: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential, Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009

This formula also has some natural, cognition-stimulating ingredients such as biotin, chromium, and alpha lipoic acid which can boost overall cognition.

NALT (n-acetyl l-tyrosine) is a derivative of the amino acid tyrosine, and some people find that it improves their focus and mood in a similar way to Adderall.

Tyrosine is a necessary building block to form dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline. These neurotransmitters are crucial to paying attention and feeling good.

NALT happens to be a more bioavailable form of l-tyrosine, meaning your body absorbs it and starts using it much quicker. This process can provide an Adderall-Esque boost for some people.

Because NALT provides the building blocks for the neurotransmitters that Adderall depletes, some people use it alongside their medication to replenish those stores.

Lion's Mane mushroom is a great organic substitute for adderall as its clinically proven to boost energy levels and sharpen focus.

This potent mushroom contains active enzymatic compounds such as hericenones and erinacines which stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) synthesis and can cross the blood-brain barrier.²³Puei-Lene Lai , Murali Naidu, Vikineswary Sabaratnam, Kah-Hui Wong, Rosie Pamela David, Umah Rani Kuppusamy, Noorlidah Abdullah, Sri Nurestri A Malek, Neurotrophic properties of the Lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia, Int J Med Mushrooms. 2013

In addition to the growth factor, the aqueous extract of this therapeutic mushroom comprehends polysaccharides which is beneficial for better cognitive functioning and concentration.²⁴Mayumi Nagano , Kuniyoshi Shimizu, Ryuichiro Kondo, Chickako Hayashi, Daigo Sato, Katsuyuki Kitagawa, Koichiro Ohnuki, Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake, Biomed Res. 2010

The amalgamation of these active ingredients and polysaccharides has the potential to exert influence on neuronal regeneration, differentiation and neurite outgrowth.²⁵Young Shik Park , Hyun Soo Lee, Moo Ho Won, Jin Ha Lee, Shin Young Lee, Hyeon Yong Lee, Effect of an exo-polysaccharide from the culture broth of Hericium erinaceus on enhancement of growth and differentiation of rat adrenal nerve cells, Cytotechnology. 2002

It also encourages survival of nerve cells and promotes neuroplasticity making it a safe, holistic alternative to Adderall.

Freshcap Mushrooms provide the highest percentage of beta glucans and fruiting body nutrients, making this mushroom product my preferred choice for Lion's Mane.

Reishi mushroom is a great natural addition to any adderall-replacement stack as it has both cognitive boosting and relaxing benefits that augment overall brain power and focus.

Studies show that reishi's neuroprotective mechanisms also stimulate neurogenesis and neuroplasticity allowing for better long-term focus and mental energy.²⁶Emmanuelle Bostock, Kenneth Kirkby, Michael Garry, Bruce Taylor, and Jason A. Hawrelak, Mania Associated With Herbal Medicines, Other Than Cannabis: A Systematic Review and Quality Assessment of Case Reports, Front Psychiatry. 2018

This medicinal mushroom also boosts the immune system and modulates neurotransmitters providing a wide range of health benefits, including optimization of mental and psychological well-being. ²⁷Huihui Wu , Shanshan Tang , Zhaoqin Huang, Qian Zhou, Ping Zhang, Zuohong Chen, Hepatoprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Triterpenoids from Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes) on α-Amanitin-Induced Liver Injury in Mice, Int J Med Mushrooms. 2016

Due to its calming effects on the central nervous system, reishi can be a good alternative to adderall, especially for those individuals who find the extensive side effects of adderall troublesome.²⁸Katarzyna Socala, Dorota Nieoczym , Krzysztof Grzywnowicz, Dawid Stefaniuk, Piotr Wlaz, Evaluation of Anticonvulsant, Antidepressant-, and Anxiolytic-like Effects of an Aqueous Extract from Cultured Mycelia of the Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Higher Basidiomycetes) in Mice, Int J Med Mushrooms. 2015

Freshcap Mushrooms provide the highest percentage of beta glucans and fruiting body nutrients, making this mushroom product my preferred choice for Reishi.

Of all the supplements on this list, adrafinil is probably the most stimulatory in the way that Adderall is (although to a significantly lesser degree).

Adrafinil is a prodrug of the prescription “smart pill” modafinil. The human body metabolizes adrafinil into modafinil, so you do not need a prescription to buy it.

This nootropic can help you stay awake and alert over long periods.

It seems to modulate the dopamine system somewhat, but it also acts on the histamine, GABA, and glutamate systems as well. The exact mechanisms of action are not completely clear.

However, we do know that adrafinil has powerful effects on focus, mood, and energy.

Although it is somewhat similar to Adderall, this nootropic does not have nearly the potential for damage or abuse.

If you need a little kick to get going, we think that adrafinil is a much healthier option.

Sulbutiamine is one nootropic that some say is similar to Adderall. It has a noticeable stimulant “kick” when it takes effect, although far less than amphetamines do.

This nootropic is just a synthetic form of the essential vitamin B1.

The difference is that it can cross your blood-brain barrier faster than regular B1, and it’s fat-soluble. These two benefits allow our brains to absorb it very quickly and start using it.

When you take sulbutiamine, this sudden jolt of B1 can have several advantages.

B1 is necessary for your entire brain and nervous system, and by optimizing these processes, sulbutiamine can have a significant effect on focus and energy.

And, because it’s just a vitamin, there’s no unnatural surge or crash. We do recommend cycling it so you won’t develop a tolerance, though.

Although there have not been any clinical trials regarding sulbutiamine and ADHD specifically, some users swear by this one as an Adderall replacement.

Aniracetam is a common choice with a ton of research to back it up. Many people claim that it can improve focus and mood, similar to Adderall, but far more subtle.

This nootropic works on the brain’s AMPA and NDMA receptors, which are abundant throughout the brain.

Instead of dumping large amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine, aniracetam modulates how glutamate flows through the brain.

This process makes it a much more sustainable choice in the long run.

It seems to improve concentration by encouraging connections in the brain rather than by overstimulation.

It also has a reasonably low side-effects profile and can be taken every day without worrying about a crash.

That said, we do recommend taking it with a good choline source to optimize its efficacy.

Researchers saw a definite improvement in ADHD children who took pine bark extract in a few different trials.

Pine bark extract can increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

However, unlike Adderall, it does this sustainably and naturally, without hot wiring, your brain chemistry.

It can also lower inflammation in the brain, which is another possible cause of attention deficit.

Noopept is one of the most popular nootropics out there, and it can undoubtedly help with ADHD for some users.

It is similar to the racetams but is much more potent. Noopept use has plenty of anecdotal and clinical evidence.

Noopept has a mild stimulatory effect and can significantly improve focus and concentration while it is active.

It works by altering the glutamate system, as opposed to working on dopamine or norepinephrine.

It also has neuroprotective qualities. Noopept can increase neuroplasticity and create new, stronger connections in the brain as opposed to traditional ADHD drugs, which seem to reinforce old, possibly addictive pathways.

Effective doses are only 10-60mg. For all these reasons, many users use Noopept as a foundation of their ADHD stack.

Learn about the nootropic Noopept benefits, dosage, stacking and side effects.

Similar to NALT, DLPA (a combination of d- and l- phenylalanine) can help your body make the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.

Some users take DLPA as an alternative for Adderall.

However, there are not many high-quality studies to back this particular use up, so take it with a grain of salt. Some initial trials saw improvements in patients; others did not.

French Maritime Pine Bark Extract (sometimes sold as Pycnogenol) has a significant amount of evidence that it can help with ADHD.

Researchers saw a definite improvement in ADHD children who took pine bark extract in a few different trials.

Pine bark extract can increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

However, unlike Adderall, it does this sustainably and naturally, without hot wiring, your brain chemistry.

It can also lower inflammation in the brain, which is another possible cause of attention deficit.

Selegiline (sold a Deprenyl) is a prescription nootropic drug that may treat ADHD in some people, without the extreme effects as Adderall.

There are some clinical trials and many anecdotal reports that suggest this could be the case.

Selegiline is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI. Monoamine oxidase is the enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.

So, by inhibiting them, you increase the number of neurotransmitters that are available for more extended periods. This process can have a profound effect on mood and energy.

Because selegiline prevents the breakdown of neurotransmitters rather than directly increasing, it may be safer and less prone to side-effects than Adderall.

• Qualia Mind is a reliable over-the-counter Adderall alternative.
• Qualia's advanced formula includes ingredients that boost dopamine leading to better focus and concentration. These include:

• DL-Phenylalanine,
• N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine
• Mucuna Pruriens