Tea consumption maybe an effective active treatment for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Section snippets
Background
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common developmental disorders. The disorder is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity [1], [2], [3]. In childhood, the most problematic symptoms are hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. In adulthood the hyperactivity decreases but inattention, disorganization and impulsivity result in difficulty functioning both at home and at work. The predominant complaints seen in adult patients are trouble
Treatment for adult ADHD
Treatment of adults with ADHD consists of medication and psychosocial treatment. ADHD medications are roughly divided into stimulants and non-stimulant medication. Stimulants are the most effective medications for the treatment of ADHD, with responsiveness rates in the 70%–80% range.
Stimulants effectively alleviate the symptoms of ADHD, including poor attention span, distractibility, impulsive behavior, hyperactivity and restlessness. Stimulants also improve vigilance, cognition, reaction time,
Action of caffeine metabolites in ADHD
In accordance with the established idea that caffeine is a psychostimulant [17], [18]. Caffeine, probably the most widely consumed psychoactive substance, produces complex pharmacological actions. Habitual human consumption of caffeine containing foods and beverages is estimated in a range. This human caffeine consumption is estimated to reach peak plasma concentration of 0.25–2 mg/L (or approximately 1–10 μM) and produces overall psychostimulant effects, reducing fatigue and enhancing
Tea
Tea, unless it is decaffeinated, also contains caffeine. In tea, the content of caffeine is 32–42 mg/150 ml. While coffee and tea are both sources of caffeine, normal tea itself may contain more caffeine than coffee when measured in its dry form. Teas contain two caffeine metabolites (caffeine-like substances): theophylline, which is a stronger stimulant than caffeine, and theobromine, which is slightly weaker than caffeine. Tea is a kind of stimulant and many adults in the worldwide like to
Hypothesis
Although stimulant has the most empirical support as treatment for ADHD in adults, because of the dose-dependent side effects and the poor treatment compliance, many adults with the disorder continue to experience significant residual symptoms. Tea is a kind of stimulant and many adults like to drink it. As showed above, the caffeine in tea can reduce one’s fatigue and enhance performance, increase people’s self-confidence, motivation, alertness, vigilance, efficiency, concentration, and
Discussion
Clinician awareness of the presence and burden of ADHD has increased in the United States and internationally [45], [46], [47], [48]. In parallel, prescribing of medication for ADHD has increased over the past several years, particularly for adults [49], [50]. Although stimulant has the most empirical support as treatment for ADHD in adults, because of the dose-dependent side effects and the poor treatment compliance, many adults with the disorder continue to experience significant residual
Conflicts of interest
None Declared.
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