N-Acetylcysteine for ADHD?

Main Chapters:
00:00 Intro - N-Acetylcysteine for ADHD?
00:20 Take home message
01:48 What is N-Acetylcysteine? (NAC)
04:56 Medical Uses of NAC
11:59 NAC and ADHD
16:43 Potential Side Effects of NAC
17:40 Conclusion

N-acetylcysteine (NAC to friends) is widely available as a supplement and is FDA approved to treat poisoning from acetaminophen (Tylenol.) It boosts the level of a tri-peptide, glutathione, inside of brain cells, and increases the amount of glutamate available in the synaptic space.

NAC has generated intense interest in the mental health field, because in addition to increasing glutamate, and (probably indirectly) dopamine and serotonin, it also has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative damage properties. Multiple studies support that it can be helpful with OCD, depression, and schizophrenia. A single study suggests that it may also benefit those with ADHD.

High doses of oral forms of NAC can cause nausea and other gastrointestinal effects, but it is generally well tolerated at dosages that might help with ADHD.

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Free link to my Medium Article on N-Acetylcysteine:

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References:
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Scores are Elevated and Respond to N-Acetylcysteine Treatment in Patientss with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (2013)

Findings from a pilot open-label trial of N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of pediatric mania and hypomania (2022)

N-Acetyl Cysteine in the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review

Glutamate/glutamine and neuronal integrity in adults with ADHD: a proton MRS study

Full Chapter List:
00:00 Intro - N-Acetylcysteine for ADHD?
00:20 Take home message
01:48 What is N-Acetylcysteine? (NAC)
03:32 Glutathione
04:56 Medical Uses of NAC
05:06 NAC for Tylenol Detoxification (Acetaminophen / Paracetamol)
06:31 Acetaminophen / Paracetamol Overdose
07:52 Clinical Experience of Tylenol Poisoning
09:51 NAC as a Mucolytic
10:25 NAC as a Supplement
11:59 NAC and ADHD
12:09 Study on NAC and ADHD
14:41 Study Results and Analysis
15:46 Other Research on NAC and Mental Health
16:43 Potential Side Effects of NAC
17:40 Conclusion
19:25 Outro

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Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author John Kruse, MD, PhD presents practical, actionable, well-researched information about treatment options that scientists and clinicians recommend for adult ADHD and other mental health conditions. Subscribe if you're curious about how neuro-atypical brains can optimize their functioning in our shared, and somewhat strange, world.

Dr. Kruse has posted talks in both the "live" and the "video" sections of this channel. Thumbnails on ADHD topics have a pink background, and those on more general mental health topics have a purple background. A small collection of ADHD-Trump videos have an orange background.

You're welcome to email him with topics you want discussed or people you think he should interview.

#health #mentalhealth #adhd #acetylcysteine

[otp]

Dr. Kruse I'm popping in to say that I don't know if NAC has helped my ADHD but after six months of use (600mg 2x daily) my 30 year nail biting habit was basically broken. I stopped taking it a couple years ago and I'd say 95% of the benefit is still there, though I do feel the urge sometimes.

I recommended it to a friend who has a compulsive skin picking tick since she was a preteen and she said its done wonders to reduce the urge.

[gianni_schicchi]

It works for OCD and intrustive thoughts, which my ADHD comes with.

[EminiTransac]

Works very well at 4g for hyperactive ADHD or inner restlessness in Adults

[Idrinklight]

NAC and boosting glutathione, may be the single best thing for the liver.. ...it definitely was for myself.

[SharkyJ]

In the first week of 600mg, my HRV jumped significantly, indicating parasympathetic recovery. I started dreaming more, or remembering them. Recovering from vax injury in the setting of CVID and hEDS, and post viral from dengue fever a decade ago. Mainstream left me to fend for myself. Myocarditis and Hashimoto’s just cleared up. 🎉GABA is my other new fave. Still hoping to ramp NAC and see improvements with OCD.

[aurielhurrell]

Interesting as NAC is being recommended for removing the spike protein post the nasty jabs.

[aflemin]

I find NAC makes my adderall less effective. Not sure if it’s because it modulates glutamate and or dopamine or it’s “detoxing” the adderall, but it’s a sure fire way of reducing focus and motivation on adderall. And if I take it after adderall it keeps me awake lol. I do find it helpful on days off adderall with reducing withdrawal symptoms. Thanks for all the info!

[pecosruby]

Very well done and informative, thank you!

[akshaydube]

Thank you doctor for a very well informed video. Subscribed

[brianbuczynski]

Fascinating! I never heard of this compound or it’s uses. And, I think the information about Tylenol is vital since it falsely seems so “safe” because it’s in so many over the counter medicines and recommendations for pain and colds and flu.

[plymix]

Gonna drop a quick tip for the comment section. These NAC tablets can be rather large and hard to swallow. What can be of tremendous help are thick milk shakes. My favorite is the vanilla flavored ensure nutrition shake. It provides lubricant, and it’s thick enough of a drink that it actually tricks the mind, so it feels more like a gulp of water opposed to swallowing a pill.

[patkelley]

I take 750 mg NAC per day for almost a year now w/ other supplements. I've noticed I am calm throughout the day. I don't lose my temper. That's big for me. But I only take the supplements once a day so I cycle up and down. I could take a second tablet but one is working more or less. I've also noticed I don't have breathing issues. I work around steam coming off shrimp cookers that are heavy in histamines from the shrimp. It's actually dangerous for some but I have noticed less congestion. And the Weighted Blanket has been an absolute game changer! Thanks for the great advice.

[RahulRanjan]

Please make a video on persistent depresive disorder and ADHD (with meds)
Thank you so much for all the work ❤

[The_Albanian_Inquisition]

I've had a doctor suggest this to me for drug craving

[vkpfpkxflmwmyg]

Dr. Kruse, could you do a video on chamomile and anxiety/depression?

[mccaine]

paracetamol, though they will recognize acetaminophen. I had to find some in Spain years ago.

[SK-wchs]

One of the biggest downsideds with nac is that i feel like it really makes my adhd medications not work.

[thejayroh]

Hello, and thanks for the info! I've frequently supplemented with N-acetyl cysteine for over a year, and I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of nine.

My anecdotal thoughts:
Even at 36 years old I can't say that NAC has an obvious impact on ADHD symptoms, but I do feel like 1000mg of NAC every morning may have helped my liver recover from a bout of alcoholism in my late 20s to early 30s. Other than that I feel like NAC is....there. It's probably having an impact, but nothing game-changing.

[philip]

I take it for LC but I also experience the nausea.

[lindarothera]

It was suddenly unavailable during the pandemic