Everyone’s had trouble paying attention at one point or another. That’s just how it is in life; our attention isn’t always where it should be whether we like it or not. For most people, this is something easily addressed with a reminder of what they should be doing.
For others, it’s not that simple.
Living with ADHD is hard. More so if you’re uncomfortable with taking medication (still recommended, for the record). But it’s perfectly doable with enough knowledge, guidance, and support.
Still, a tasty boost from an energy drink wouldn’t hurt here and there, right?
Personally, I think Red Bull, Sneak, G Fuel Powder, and NOS are the best choices if you want to stay focused. They all have lots of caffeine and amino acids that were meant to boost your cognitive functions in their formulas.
Why these? What do they have that makes them good for conquering ADHD? Scroll down and I’ll tell you everything I know.
And don’t worry about not knowing what ADHD is; I’ll walk you through that too.
Contents
What Is ADHD?
First things first: ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that usually appears in Imo. It’s more common than many think and can cause many problems in the lives of people who have it.
Most people know it as the disorder of children who don’t know how to sit still or stay focused for long. And to a certain point, that’s true.
However, what a lot of people misunderstand is the fact that people who are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood have it forever. It’s not something that gets ‘cured’ or outgrown with time; it’s simply lived with.
Among the general symptoms of ADHD in adults include:
- carelessness and lack of attention to detail
- continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
- poor organisational skills
- inability to focus
- continually misplacing things
- forgetfulness
- restlessness
- difficulty keeping quiet
- blurting out responses and often interrupting others
- mood swings, irritability and a quick temper
- inability to deal with stress
- extreme impatience
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
Having ADHD means having a brain that developed differently from the norm and consequently has different patterns of activity. These differences in brain activity result in having more difficulty sitting still and controlling impulses than someone who doesn’t have ADHD.
In children, ADHD usually shows in the child’s inability to pay attention, follow instructions, and wait their turn. ADHD can show up in the same way in adults as well but can be harder to see. In fact, many adults with ADHD don’t even know they have ADHD.
Needless to say, these differences in behavior will often lead to the person having a hard time keeping up in school, maintaining relationships at home, and forming friendships.
Are Energy Drinks Good For ADHD?
Simple answer: Caffeine.
Caffeine is a stimulant, so it starts up and hastens the body’s central nervous system. As you might have guessed, this is what’s responsible for caffeine’s ability to keep you awake and not feel your fatigue.
Caffeine also boosts the production of a brain chemical called dopamine.
Dopamine controls a person’s ability to focus and sends messages between nerve cells. It’s also responsible for pleasure, which is why it’s sometimes called the “happy hormone”.
Sugar is also good for giving people the quick energy boosts they need to stay focused and complete tasks. However, there’s no proof that it actually helps people with ADHD do better. Still, it’s a good thing to have when you want to burn that midnight oil.
Based on this, I think any energy drink could be a good help to anyone with ADHD depending on their preferences and what they’re trying to do. However, I’d personally only recommend brands that have an average amount of caffeine for general use.
Why? Because caffeine is everywhere. It’s not just in energy drinks and coffee. It’s also in chocolate, tea, soft drinks, and some medications.
So although caffeine is helpful, it’s still important to remember how easy it is to accidentally consume too much if you don’t watch it.
As for how much is too much, the FDA believes that the average adult can safely drink up to 400mg of caffeine a day. That means assuming you’re not sensitive to caffeine, you can drink up to 4 cups of coffee a day without worrying about side effects.
Then again, everyone reacts to caffeine and sugar differently. Any specific concerns about that should be directed at a doctor who can assess and advise you according to your needs properly if that’s a concern for you.
For a more thorough look at why stimulants such as caffeine may help with ADHD have a look at the video discussing it below:
Does ADHD get worse with caffeine?
Caffeine may help with ADHD symptoms, but the evidence here is unclear. Some folks feel calmer on the stimulant, while others experience a rise in anxiety.
On the other hand, moderate caffeine use has been reported by parents and people with ADHD, as well as by certain studies, to improve attention and concentration. In this regard, it’s important to tune in to your health and collaborate with your physician to choose the best course of action.
Does caffeine make you tired if you have ADHD?
Caffeine is a stimulant, hence it is generally advised against consuming it within six hours of bedtime. However, for other people who suffer from ADHD, it has the opposite effect and induces a strong need to sleep.
Therefore, people with ADHD should limit their caffeine intake to the mornings and refrain from having anything caffeinated after 2 p.m., including coffee and energy drinks.
Should ADHD people drink caffeine?
In moderation, caffeine may be used without risk. In fact, combining coffee with medicine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have a synergistic impact, reducing impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity.
While caffeine has numerous positive benefits, consuming too much might have negative outcomes. Specifically, consuming large quantities of caffeinated drinks has been linked to an increase in migraine attacks, and restlessness.
Best Enery Drinks for ADHD
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children but can sometimes show up in adults.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is a conquerable disorder. There are a number of treatments available to treat and manage ADHD.
For adults that have ADHD, energy drinks may help them boost and improve cognitive functions. Below are a few energy drinks which, in my opinion, are good for people living with ADHD.
| Energy Drink | Calories (per serving) | Sugar Content (per serving) | Caffeine Content (per serving) |
| G Fuel Powder | 10 calories | 0g | 140 – 150mg |
| Sneak Energy | 0 calories | 0g | 200mg |
| Red Bull | 110 calories | 24g | 80mg |
| NOS | 210 calories | 0g | 160mg |
G Fuel Powder
Caffeine content: 140mg-150mg depending on the flavor.
Sugar content: None, it’s sugar-free.
You’ve probably heard of this. G Fuel Powder is a brand that’s well-known for its ties to Esports and many popular streamers and Youtubers. It also has a wide variety of flavors to choose from, so there’s definitely something for everyone willing to try!
Depending on how you look at it, G Fuel can be considered to have as much caffeine as a cup of coffee (95-150mg). It’s sugar-free but is still flavorful thanks to both the artificial sweeteners in its formula and the fruit powders that double as both flavoring and antioxidants.
All that makes it a solid choice you can enjoy in your daily routine since you don’t have to worry too much about it adding too many calories to your diet. And since it only has 140-150mg of caffeine, you can drink it twice a day if you really have to!
Then again, I can see how having to mix a powder formula every time you want caffeine can be inconvenient for some. Or just not appealing since the mix can get grainy if not handled properly.
Sneak Energy
Caffeine content: 200mg
Sugar content: Sugar-free
What does Sneak have over G Fuel? More caffeine. Sneak is the most caffeinated drink in this article.
Sneak having more caffeine can make it the better choice for people who are often busy. The same can be said if you happen to need a larger amount of caffeine to keep you running for longer for whatever reason.
And for what it’s worth, the great flavors and brands’ international availability are strong points worth considering.
But, you should also be wary of how the shipping fees can drive the price way up if you don’t happen to live in the United Kingdom.
If you like a more thorough comparison between Sneak and G Fuel, then do check out my Sneak vs G Fuel Powder article for a more in-depth look at the two drinks.
Red Bull
Caffeine content: 80mg
Sugar content: 24g
The classic brand we all know and (probably) love.
Now, Red Bull cans are 8.4 fl.oz while other brands are 16 fl.oz. That means it comes in a considerably small serving that makes it easier to control how much caffeine you have in a day and strike a balance.
It also helps that like the other two brands I talked about, it gives close to the same amount of caffeine you’d get from a cup of coffee. And compared to other brands, Red Bull’s sugar content is quite reasonable.
For reference, the recommended daily intake for sugar is 25g for women and 36g for men.
NOS
Caffeine content: 160mg
Sugar content: 51-54g depending on the flavor
Yet another iconic brand. NOS is also the one that’ll give you the biggest kick on this list.
NOS might not have as much caffeine as Sneak, but it has more sugar than anything else here to go with it. So drinking it can give you both the lasting boost you need to last a few more hours and a quick kick to keep you from falling asleep.
A very good option for when you really, really need the energy if you ask me.
But of course, the downside here is that NOS has twice the amount of sugar anyone should be consuming in a day. So I’d really recommend only drinking it when you need the focus rather than every day.
Conclusion
I think G Fuel Powder, Sneak, Red Bull, and NOS are the best choices for people who need extra focus to cope with their ADHD. This is because of their moderate caffeine content, which makes them good sources of energy and focus.
In spite of all the criticism caffeine has gotten over the years, it does have its merits. That just goes to show that like anything else, it’s great when taking in the correct amounts. It’s overconsumption that makes it bad.
Either way, I wish anyone who needs to cope with ADHD good luck. If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to consult your doctor to be on the safe side.