Exploring Mushrooms for ADHD: Potential Benefits and Emerging Research 

Overview: ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder marked by inattention and hyperactivity. Traditional treatments include FDA-approved stimulants and non-pharmacological methods, though concerns about side effects and effectiveness persist. Researchers are exploring alternative treatments like microdosing psilocybin mushrooms, showing promising results in symptom reduction and well-being. A 2022 study found microdosing improved ADHD symptoms and overall well-being, though more research is needed to address placebo effects and missing data on dosages. Additionally, medicinal mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, known for cognitive and mental health benefits, are being investigated for ADHD. Lion’s Mane stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF) and may help manage stress, anxiety, and depression associated with ADHD. However, more research is required to confirm its efficacy.

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Mushrooms for ADHD: What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty focusing on tasks and hyperactivity. Typical symptoms include impulsivity, disruptive behavior, struggles with focus, lack of self-control, and excessive activity. Individuals with ADHD often experience anxiety and chronic stress, have poor relationships with peers and parents, face employment problems, and are prone to substance misuse.

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There are three main subtypes of ADHD, based on the prevalence of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. Hyperactivity can lead to psychological and social challenges at home, school, and in the community.

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ADHD is one of the most frequent neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and adolescence. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often persists into adulthood. The causes of ADHD in children include neurological factors, genetics, environmental influences, premature birth, preeclampsia, hypertension, overweight, and obesity in pregnant women, as well as maternal smoking exposure.

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ADHD is more common in boys, who are three times more likely to be diagnosed with it than girls. Boys typically show more externalized symptoms, such as hyperactivity, while girls often exhibit internalized symptoms, such as low self-esteem and poor attention.

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The prevalence of ADHD is 7.6% in children aged 3 to 12 years, 5.6% in teenagers aged 12 to 18, and approximately 2.5% in adults. While the condition usually follows a predictable pattern in early adolescence, the main characteristics of ADHD can change with age, often reducing in adulthood.

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ADHD Treatments

For ADHD, the first-line treatments are primarily pharmacological. There are 12 drugs approved by the FDA, most of which are central nervous system stimulants, such as methylphenidate hydrochloride, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, amphetamine sulfate, and mixed amphetamine salts. If these medications do not prove effective, second-line treatments like antidepressants may be prescribed, although they are not specifically approved for ADHD.

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While pharmacologic therapy is reported to be effective in most cases, it comes with risks. Common side effects include decreased appetite, anxiety, nausea, and headaches. In children, there are particular concerns about tolerance, weight loss, and insomnia. Recent research advises caution when prescribing stimulants to preschool-aged children, adolescents at high risk of substance abuse, and children with tics or psychosis.

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Non-Pharmacological Treatments

In addition to drug treatments, non-pharmacological approaches can be effective. These methods fall into three main categories: psychological methods, complementary and alternative medicine, and devices.

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Behavioral parent training and mindfulness-based attention training are common psychological methods. Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral techniques, has shown effectiveness, though more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of these methods.

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Rising Prevalence of ADHD and Emerging Treatment Options

The prevalence of ADHD has consistently risen in recent years. This increase has sparked a debate over whether ADHD is being overdiagnosed and whether stimulant medications are being overprescribed. Some argue that increased awareness among physicians and the public has contributed significantly to the rise in diagnosis rates.

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Due to rising rates of ADHD and concerns about the consistency and safety of current treatments, researchers are exploring alternative therapies. One promising area is the potential of mushrooms for ADHD. This includes mushrooms that contain the psychedelic drug psilocybin, often called “magic mushrooms.”

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Psilocybin, the active substance in magic mushrooms, has shown success in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) when combined with supportive therapy. Now, researchers are investigating whether psilocybin could also be effective in treating ADHD. These natural alternatives are being studied for their potential to manage ADHD symptoms and provide new treatment options.

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Additionally, other medicinal mushrooms like lion’s mane are also being experimented with by ADHD patients and investigated by researchers for their potential benefits. These mushrooms are believed to support cognitive function and overall brain health, making them an area of interest for ADHD treatment.

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The Use of Mushrooms to Treat ADHD

The use of classical psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, in small, repeated doses — commonly known as microdosing — has been suggested as a potential alternative for treating ADHD. Microdosing has been associated with increased concentration, productivity, and an enhanced positive mood.

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In a retrospective survey study conducted in 2019, researchers explored the motives of individuals who microdose. A retrospective survey study collects data from past events, asking participants to reflect on their experiences. This study found that one of the main reasons people microdose was to self-treat their ADHD. Participants in this study reported that microdosing was more effective than conventional pharmacological treatments.

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Building on this, a naturalistic, prospective study was published in 2022. A prospective study follows participants forward in time, observing their outcomes as they occur. This study investigated the effectiveness of microdosing psychedelics for self-medicating ADHD symptoms in adults who decided to start microdosing on their own.

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Researchers assessed participants’ performance and experiences at baseline (before starting microdosing) and then again at two and four weeks after beginning microdosing. The target population included adults diagnosed with ADHD and those experiencing significant ADHD symptoms that interfered with daily life but who had not been formally diagnosed.

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A total of 233 individuals completed the baseline survey and received follow-up assessments. Participants recorded the substances they used for microdosing in a diary. The majority (78%) reported using psilocybin in the form of magic mushrooms or truffles. Other substances used included LSD (9.5%), newer psychedelics from the lysergamide class (e.g., 1P-LSD, ALD-52) (12%), and ayahuasca (one participant).

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Results: Microdosing Mushrooms Improved ADHD Symptoms

To assess changes in ADHD symptoms, the study used the self-report, short screening version of the Conner’s Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS-S:SV). This questionnaire consists of 30 items that evaluate core ADHD symptoms (inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity) and related problem areas.

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T-scores were calculated to compare participants’ scores to those of non-clinical adults of the same age and sex. In the context of ADHD assessment using the Conner's Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS-S), T-scores are a standardized way of comparing an individual's performance to a normative sample. This means that an individual’s scores can be compared to the typical scores expected in the general population.

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By using T-scores, researchers can objectively measure and compare the severity of ADHD symptoms over time and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions like microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms.

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Key Findings:

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• Symptom Reduction: The CAARS-S:SV DSM-IV total symptoms T-scores were significantly lower at two weeks and four weeks after starting microdosing compared to baseline. Additionally, the scores continued to decrease significantly from the two-week to the four-week time point.

• Impact of Conventional Medication: Participants who used conventional ADHD medication alongside microdosing had higher CAARS-S:SV scores at two weeks compared to those who did not use conventional medication. This suggests that microdosing alone may have been more effective in reducing symptoms than when combined with traditional medication.

• Overall Improvement: All respondents showed a decrease in CAARS-S:SV scores from baseline to two weeks and from two weeks to four weeks. However, those using conventional medication alongside microdosing showed a smaller decrease in scores from baseline to two weeks compared to those not using conventional medication, leading to a significant difference at the two-week mark.

• Non-Responders: At the four-week point, 19.1% (9 out of 47 respondents) showed no change or an increase in their CAARS-S:SV DSM-IV total symptoms T-score. Of these nine non-responders, three were using conventional medication alongside microdosing. Five non-responders at four weeks were also non-responders at two weeks, with only one using conventional medication. The remaining four non-responders had shown improvement at two weeks but worsened by four weeks; half of these were using conventional medication.

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These results indicate that microdosing psilocybin mushrooms could be a promising alternative for managing ADHD symptoms. However, the interaction between conventional ADHD medications and microdosing requires further investigation to optimize treatment strategies.

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Microdosing Mushrooms Improved Wellbeing in ADHD 

To assess changes in well-being, the study used the World Health Organisation-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), a widely recognized measure of overall well-being. 

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Key Findings:

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• Improved Well-Being: Participants’ well-being scores were significantly higher two weeks after starting microdosing and continued to increase at the four-week mark. This indicates a substantial improvement in well-being over the course of the study.

• Correlation with ADHD Symptoms: There was a moderate negative correlation between the changes in ADHD symptoms and well-being scores at both the two-week and four-week time points. This means that as ADHD symptoms decreased, well-being scores increased, suggesting that improvements in ADHD symptoms were associated with better overall well-being.

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These results highlight the potential benefits of microdosing psilocybin mushrooms not only for managing ADHD symptoms but also for enhancing overall well-being. The negative correlation between ADHD symptom reduction and increased well-being underscores the holistic impact of this treatment approach.

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Conclusion: Potential and Limitations of Psilocybin Mushrooms for ADHD 

The results of this study align with previous research exploring the potential of microdosing mushrooms to treat ADHD.

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However, it’s important to note that participants who chose to self-treat ADHD with microdosing likely already had positive feelings about its potential, which could have enhanced a placebo effect. Additionally, there were gaps in the study regarding the substances and doses used; no detailed information was collected on the formulation, storage conditions, or route of administration, which are important factors that could influence the effects and outcomes.

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Despite these limitations, the study highlights a significant issue: more than half of the 159 participants diagnosed with ADHD had used conventional ADHD medication but had stopped due to physical and psychological side effects. This underscores the necessity for placebo-controlled studies to properly assess the therapeutic value of microdosing mushrooms for ADHD as an alternative treatment option.

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The researchers in this study also recommend future studies to investigate other cognitive domains impaired in ADHD, such as working memory, attention, and executive functioning, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of microdosing in adults with ADHD.

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Lion’s Mane Mushroom for ADHD

While psychedelic mushrooms are being explored for their potential in treating ADHD, other non-psychedelic medicinal mushrooms are also being investigated for their benefits to brain health and cognition. Among these, Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), and Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) are some of the most commonly studied.

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Lion’s Mane has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine. Found globally, this mushroom grows on dead hardwood trees in late summer or fall and has a distinctive white, spiky appearance resembling a lion’s mane. It is known for its numerous interesting effects on the body and mind, as well as its culinary uses.

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Although traditionally not used specifically for ADHD, there is growing interest and research into Lion’s Mane for ADHD due to its cognitive benefits. Lion’s Mane stimulates the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein essential for the growth, maintenance, and survival of nerve cells. NGF helps prevent nerve cell death, promotes synapse growth between nerves, and enhances memory.

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These effects are primarily attributed to terpenoids called erinacine and hericenone found in the mushroom’s fruiting body and mycelium. Terpenoids, also known as isoprenoids, are a large and diverse class of organic compounds produced by various plants and fungi.

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Notably, along with psilocybin mushrooms and Niacin (vitamin B3), Lion’s Mane is a key component in Paul Stamets’ microdosing stack, which is designed to enhance cognitive function and overall brain health.

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Potential Benefits of Lion’s Mane for ADHD

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• Cognitive Health: Lion’s Mane has been shown to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), which supports the growth and maintenance of neurons, potentially benefiting those managing ADHD. 

• Mental Health: Some studies have documented Lion’s Mane’s effects on anxiety and depression. Long-term use of extracts from the mushroom’s fruit body and mycelium has shown improvements in symptoms of depression and anxiety, which are common co-occurring conditions in individuals with ADHD. This suggests that Lion’s Mane could be a valuable adjunct to conventional ADHD treatments.

• Inflammation: Lion’s Mane also has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have found that it can reduce tissue inflammation, which may offer relief for individuals with ADHD, as some research has linked ADHD with increased inflammation.

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Clinical Evidence of Lion’s Mane for ADHD

A notable 2009 clinical trial involving Japanese men and women aged 50 to 80 with mild cognitive impairment found that oral administration of Lion’s Mane significantly improved cognitive function.

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In this study, participants took four 250 mg tablets containing 96% Lion’s Mane dry powder three times a day for 16 weeks. Cognitive function scores increased with the duration of intake but decreased significantly four weeks after stopping the supplement.

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No adverse effects were reported, suggesting that Lion’s Mane is effective in improving mild cognitive impairment and may hold potential for treating ADHD.

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Other Medicinal Mushrooms for ADHD 

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• Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): High in antioxidants, Chaga may help reduce oxidative stress and brain inflammation, both of which are associated with ADHD.

• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Known for its potential to improve sleep quality, Reishi may benefit individuals with ADHD who experience sleep disruptions, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

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Conclusion: The Potential of Lion’s Mane for ADHD

In conclusion, while more research is needed, the potential benefits of medicinal mushrooms like Lion’s Mane for ADHD are promising. These mushrooms offer a natural alternative that could complement existing treatments, potentially helping manage ADHD symptoms and improving overall well-being.

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Lion’s Mane has been recognized for its health benefits and has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. It is considered safe to consume with minimal side effects within known dose ranges.

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While there is currently no direct evidence linking Lion’s Mane to the treatment of ADHD, its potential to help manage related symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression is promising. The mushroom's impact on nerve growth factor (NGF) offers a fruitful area for future research, particularly in exploring its benefits for cognitive health.

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However, more research is needed to fully understand and substantiate its effects on ADHD.