Natural Remedies for ADHD: A Functional Medicine Approach to Attention & Focus
Natural Remedies for ADHD can offer powerful support when you feel like your brain just won’t switch off…
Maybe your thoughts jump too quickly.
Maybe your focus slips away before you even realise it.
Or maybe you’ve tried helpful strategies — but nothing seems to “stick.”
This is where natural remedies for ADHD can make a meaningful difference.
Not by suppressing symptoms, but by uncovering what your brain has been trying to communicate all along.
But here’s where it gets interesting…
👉 Natural remedies for ADHD can provide effective, evidence-based ways to improve focus, calm, and clarity.
At BalanSoul, we take a functional medicine approach — looking beyond the label to uncover the underlying biochemical factors that drive attention challenges.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all plan, we explore your unique nutrient status, neurotransmitter balance, inflammation markers, gut-brain health, lifestyle triggers, and genetic biotypes.
These deeper insights help us personalise a treatment strategy that supports both children and adults.
Why does this matter?
Because ADHD is rarely “just a concentration problem.”
👉 It’s often a reflection of measurable imbalances that can be corrected.
And here’s the part most people never hear…
🔎 Low dopamine, nutrient deficiencies, oxidative stress, blood-sugar instability, zinc–copper imbalance, methylation issues, and environmental triggers can all shape ADHD traits.
This means your treatment isn’t guesswork — it’s guided by your biology.
A Different Way of Understanding ADHD
Instead of asking:
“How do we manage the symptoms?”
We ask:
Which nutrients are depleted?
Which neurotransmitters are struggling?
Which genetic or biochemical patterns match your ADHD traits?
Which stressors or environmental exposures are disrupting your focus or emotional regulation?
When you start looking at ADHD through this lens…
…Everything begins to make sense.
At BalanSoul, natural remedies for ADHD include targeted nutrients, amino acids, gut-brain strategies, inflammation reduction, lifestyle stabilisation, sleep optimisation, and mind-body tools —
without relying solely on medication, and safely alongside it when needed.
What Is ADHD Really? A Functional Medicine Perspective
ADHD isn’t simply a disorder of attention — and it’s certainly not a character flaw.
From a functional medicine perspective, ADHD reflects a complex interplay of neurotransmitter imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, genetic biotypes, gut-brain dysfunction, and environmental triggers.
But here’s the part most families never get told…
ADHD is often a biochemical pattern, not just a behavioural one.
This means your symptoms — or your child’s — are rooted in something real and measurable.
So what does that actually mean?
Instead of asking “How do we stop the behaviour?”, functional medicine asks bigger, more insightful questions:
- Which nutrients are depleted? (e.g., zinc, magnesium, B vitamins)
- Which neurotransmitters are struggling? (often dopamine & norepinephrine)
- Is the brain inflamed or overstimulated?
- Are there methylation or genetic variants affecting focus or motivation?
- Is gut health influencing behaviour or emotional regulation?
And once we understand these hidden patterns…
…ADHD becomes far easier to treat — naturally, safely, and with better long-term outcomes.
Where autism and ADHD overlap — and why that matters
Some individuals with ADHD also show overlapping traits with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — such as sensory sensitivities, emotional intensity, or deep focus on specific interests.
This doesn’t mean both conditions are present, but it does mean:
🔎 The brain is communicating something important about its underlying chemistry and neural pathways.
Functional medicine helps untangle these overlaps so treatment is personalised, not generic.
Is ADHD “just in the head”? Not at all.
Many ADHD traits reflect:
- Low dopamine activity
- Impaired magnesium, zinc, or B6 levels
- Inflammation or oxidative stress in the brain
- Blood-sugar imbalances affecting focus and behaviour
- Environmental triggers such as artificial dyes, pesticides, or food sensitivities
- Sleep disruption changing emotional control and attention
So instead of thinking:
“Something is wrong with me.”
we help clients understand the truth:
…Your brain is responding to chemistry — not failure. And chemistry can be changed.
Why this broader view matters
When ADHD is seen only as a behavioural diagnosis, people are left with bandaid solutions.
But when ADHD is understood as a mind–body condition shaped by biology, everything changes:
- Treatments become more targeted
- Emotional regulation improves
- Focus becomes easier
- Motivation becomes steadier
- Anxiety often reduces automatically
Because we’re no longer chasing symptoms — we’re treating what’s driving them.
ADHD Symptoms in Adults vs Children
ADHD doesn’t always look like the stereotypes — and it certainly doesn’t look the same at every age.
Many people assume ADHD is only a childhood condition, but here’s the truth most people miss…
👉 ADHD symptoms evolve with age — and adults often go decades unnoticed or misdiagnosed.
Understanding how ADHD presents at each life stage helps us identify the biochemical patterns beneath the behaviour — and choose more effective, personalised supports.
ADHD in Adults: What It Really Looks Like
ADHD in adults rarely appears as “hyperactivity.”
Instead, it often shows up in more subtle — but deeply disruptive — ways:
- ADHD brain fog, forgetfulness, and trouble remembering details
- Low dopamine motivation, making it hard to start tasks, even important ones
- Trouble finishing tasks once started
- Difficulty organising time or priorities
- Feeling easily overwhelmed or mentally “cluttered”
- Impulsive spending, decision-making, or emotional reactions
- Procrastination mixed with sudden bursts of hyper-focus
- Heightened sensitivity to noise, stress, or stimulation
- Exhaustion from constantly masking or overcompensating
Many adults describe ADHD as:
“My brain has 50 tabs open… and someone keeps hitting refresh on all of them.”
Here’s the heartbreaking part:
👉 Most adults with ADHD were never diagnosed as children — especially those who are gifted, quiet, or anxious.
They grew up thinking their struggles were personality flaws, instead of neurological patterns that could be supported and understood.
ADHD in Children: The Clues Are Different
Children often display ADHD symptoms that reflect immature nervous-system regulation and developing executive function.
But here’s where it gets interesting…
Not all children with ADHD are hyperactive — and not all hyperactive children have ADHD.
Common childhood ADHD patterns include:
- Hyperactivity or difficulty sitting still
- Emotional outbursts or unusually strong reactions
- Impulsivity or acting before thinking
- Sensory overwhelm and quick frustration
- Trouble following multi-step instructions
- Difficulty with transitions or waiting
- Distractibility, forgetfulness, or losing items frequently
- Sleep challenges that worsen daytime behaviour
Children with ADHD aren’t “misbehaving.”
Their nervous system is simply developing in a different rhythm — and the right supports can dramatically improve regulation, confidence, and learning capacity.
ADHD in Teenagers: A Unique Turning Point
Teenagers experience a perfect storm of hormonal shifts, academic pressure, and emotional intensity — all of which can amplify ADHD patterns.
Common teenage presentations include:
- Emotional sensitivity, irritability, and overwhelm
- Impulsivity or risk-taking behaviour
- Inconsistent motivation or sudden drops in academic performance
- Difficulty with organisation, deadlines, and study habits
- Sleep cycle disruptions affecting memory and mood
- Social challenges or withdrawing due to mental fatigue
But here’s the part many parents never hear…
👉 Teenagers with ADHD aren’t “lazy” — they’re overloaded.
When we reduce inflammation, support dopamine pathways, and address nutrient deficiencies, teenagers often experience dramatic improvements in mood, productivity, and self-esteem.
Why These Differences Matter
When ADHD is misinterpreted as personality, laziness, or poor discipline, people blame themselves.
But when we look through a functional medicine lens:
- Symptoms make sense
- Patterns become clearer
- Treatment becomes targeted instead of generic
And with the right guidance, individuals of any age can feel calmer, more focused, and more in control.
How It Feels to Live with ADHD
“It’s like my brain has 50 tabs open — and I can’t find the one that’s playing music.”
“I start five things and finish none. I’m constantly behind, even though I’m always trying.”
“People think I’m lazy or disorganised — but they don’t see how hard I’m working to keep up.”
“I can hyperfocus sometimes… but other times I can’t even start.”
“I feel like I’m always letting people down — including myself.”
ADHD isn’t a lack of willpower. It’s a neurological pattern — one we can support and stabilise.
What My Clients Often Say
“I thought I just had anxiety — but it was actually ADHD all along.”
“I never realized food and sleep could make such a difference.”
“Once I got my zinc and copper balanced, I felt a huge shift.”
When the right biology is supported, life starts feeling manageable — sometimes for the first time.
Root Causes of ADHD: A Biochemical and Environmental View
ADHD isn’t caused by one single factor — and it’s rarely just a matter of attention or motivation.
So what’s really going on beneath the surface?
From a functional medicine perspective, ADHD often reflects multiple overlapping drivers that influence neurotransmitters, stress pathways, and emotional regulation.
Here’s a clearer look at the biochemical and environmental roots that may be shaping your symptoms:
1. Neurotransmitter Imbalances
Dopamine and norepinephrine — two key messengers for focus, motivation, and follow-through — are often disrupted in ADHD.
Why does this happen?
- Low zinc or iron (needed for neurotransmitter synthesis)
- High copper (which alters dopamine conversion pathways)
- Genetic factors that affect enzyme activity (such as COMT variants)
When these chemical messengers fall out of balance, the brain struggles to regulate attention, executive function, and emotional control.
2. Methylation Dysfunction
Methylation is one of the body’s core biochemical processes — affecting neurotransmitter production, stress resilience, detox pathways, and gene expression.
But when methylation is impaired (especially in people with MTHFR or related variants) the brain may struggle to produce and regulate the very chemicals required for steady focus.
Important to note:
- Undermethylation and overmethylation can look completely different
- Each pattern may require a very different nutritional approach
- Research from the Walsh Institute shows that methylation patterns meaningfully shape ADHD symptoms
This is why “one-size-fits-all ADHD treatments” often fall short. The underlying biochemistry matters.
3. Pyrrole Disorder (Pyroluria)
This metabolic condition causes excessive loss of zinc and vitamin B6 — two nutrients essential for mood regulation, neurotransmitter balance, and stress tolerance.
When these nutrients dip too low, individuals may experience:
• Inner tension or anxiety
• Irritability or emotional reactivity
• Poor stress tolerance
• Difficulty with focus or organisation
Many people with ADHD traits unknowingly fall into this pattern — and respond well once zinc and B6 are corrected.
4. Gut-Brain Imbalance
The gut plays a surprisingly powerful role in ADHD symptoms.
Why? Because inflammation, infections, food intolerances, or microbiome imbalance can alter neurotransmitter activity and increase neuroinflammatory chemicals that affect mood and attention.
Common contributors include:
- Gluten or dairy sensitivity
- Dysbiosis (bacterial imbalance)
- Inflammatory cytokines
- Gastrointestinal discomfort affecting regulation
When the gut is inflamed, the brain often feels inflamed too — making ADHD symptoms far more intense.
5. Environmental Stressors
Modern environments place enormous load on a developing nervous system.
Some factors that commonly aggravate ADHD include:
- Early trauma or prolonged stress
- Divorce, school pressure, or chronic overwhelm
- Heavy metals (like lead exposure)
- Sleep deprivation
- Screen overstimulation
- Nutrient-poor diets
These don’t cause ADHD, but they can dramatically amplify symptoms — and make emotional regulation feel harder than it should.
This is why two people with the same diagnosis can look completely different — their stress environments aren’t the same.
Natural Supplements for ADHD
When people search for natural remedies for ADHD, this is usually the part they’re most eager to learn about.
But here’s the part most people never hear:
Supplements only work when they’re matched precisely to your biotype, your test results, and your neurochemistry. This is why two people can take the exact same nutrient — and one improves while the other gets worse.
At BalanSoul, we don’t guess. We design nutrient plans based on labs, symptoms, and biochemical patterns to gently restore focus, calm, motivation, and emotional balance.
Examples of the Best ADHD Supplements and Natural Therapies We May Use:
These are just examples – the best ADHD supplements for you will depend on your biotype, testing results, and symptom profile.
Amino Acids for ADHD: Supporting Brain Chemistry Naturally
Amino acids can be powerful tools for improving dopamine and motivation — when used correctly.
• L-Tyrosine or DLPA — supports dopamine production, motivation, mental energy
• CDP-Choline — boosts focus, working memory, and acetylcholine balance
Why these matter: If dopamine or acetylcholine pathways are running low, concentration becomes harder, tasks feel overwhelming, and mental stamina drops quickly.
• Vitamins & Minerals
These foundational nutrients support neurotransmitters, stress resilience, and emotional regulation.
- Zinc — crucial for attention, impulse control, dopamine balance
- Magnesium — supports relaxation, reduces tension, improves sleep
- Vitamin B6 / P5P — needed for dopamine, serotonin, and GABA production
- Antioxidants (OPCs, Pycnogenol) — help reduce neuroinflammation and oxidative stress
These nutrients often test low in people with ADHD — and restoring them can feel like lifting a mental fog.
Herbal Nootropics (Plant-Based Cognitive Support)
Herbal supports can help gently regulate the nervous system without overstimulation.
- Withania (Ashwagandha) — reduces stress-driven distractibility
- Bacopa — improves focus, learning, and memory consolidation
- Tinospora — supports clarity and reduces emotional reactivity
These herbs can be particularly useful for ADHD with anxiety or overstimulation.
Methylation-Supporting Nutrients
For some ADHD biotypes, supporting methylation can dramatically improve focus and emotional steadiness.
- SAMe, Methionine, Folate — may be appropriate depending on your methylation profile
⚠️ But here’s the catch:
These nutrients must only be used after methylation testing.
Using the wrong one (e.g., folate in undermethylators, or SAMe in overmethylators) can worsen ADHD symptoms.
👉 This is why every plan at BalanSoul is customised — never guesswork, never trends.
A Very Important Note: Some nutrients that support one person’s ADHD may worsen another’s. This is why personalised, data-driven ADHD supplement plans are the safest and most effective approach.
Lifestyle & ADHD Natural Therapies: Behavioural Strategies That Support Focus and Calm
Natural supplements for ADHD are powerful — but lifestyle strategies magnify their effect.
These practical, science-backed behavioural changes help stabilise dopamine, reduce reactivity, and support consistent emotional regulation.
Let’s look at the strategies most people overlook:
1. Prioritise Sleep Hygiene
Why this matters: Poor sleep is one of the fastest ways to intensify ADHD symptoms.
Try:
- Keeping consistent sleep–wake times
- Avoid screens 1–2 hours before bed
- Using calming herbs or magnesium if needed
💡 “Sleep is the brain’s detox system — without it, ADHD symptoms escalate quickly.”
2. Feed Your Focus: Protein + Healthy Fats First
Blood sugar crashes can mimic ADHD: agitation, irritability, inattention, and brain fog.
Daily focus habits:
- Start with protein-rich breakfasts
- Include healthy fats (nuts, avocado, eggs)
- Avoid refined carbs and sugary foods
Stable blood sugar = stable focus.
3. Breathwork & Body-Based Regulation
When the nervous system calms, the brain can finally focus.
We may include:
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Vagal nerve exercises
- Movement breaks
- Somatic grounding tools
These tools improve emotional control, reduce impulsivity, and support executive function.
4. Reduce Toxic Load
Environmental triggers worsen neuroinflammation — which can amplify ADHD symptoms.
Helpful steps:
- Choose low-tox cleaning and skincare products
- Minimise artificial dyes and additives
- Filter drinking water (especially for heavy metals and chlorine)
5. Manage Screen Time Mindfully
Screens hijack dopamine — making focus more difficult.
Try:
- Apps like “Forest” or “Freedom” to block distractions
- Replacing scrolling with sensory breaks, walking, or journaling
- Creating screen-free zones (especially before bed)
“Lifestyle is medicine. When personalized and consistent, these small shifts can profoundly change how ADHD shows up — and how you respond to it.”
Functional Testing & Assessment
To truly understand what’s driving ADHD symptoms, we need to look beneath the surface — not just at questionnaires or behaviour checklists.
This is where functional testing becomes invaluable.
👉 Think of it as “mapping your brain’s internal terrain” so we can target root causes, not chase symptoms.
At BalanSoul, we use functional pathology testing to uncover the underlying biochemical, genetic, and neurological patterns contributing to inattention, impulsivity, overwhelm, or emotional dysregulation.
Core Functional Tests We May Recommend
1. Methylation & Biotype Testing
These tests help us understand your biochemical blueprint.
- Whole Blood Histamine — identifies over- or undermethylation
- Plasma Zinc & Copper — assesses neurotransmitter balance potential
- Pyrrole (HPL) Testing — identifies nutrient-depleting pyrrole disorder
💡 Why this matters:
Undermethylation and pyrrole disorder are extremely common in ADHD — and both influence motivation, stress tolerance, serotonin balance, and dopamine activity.
2. Nutrient & Inflammation Markers
- Homocysteine — sensitive marker of methylation status
- OAT (Organic Acids Test) — reveals gut health, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter metabolites
- Hair Mineral Analysis — assesses heavy metals and long-term mineral trends
These markers often reveal hidden contributors to ADHD that standard pathology simply can’t detect.
3. Brain Function & Cognition Testing
- QEEG Brain Mapping (if available locally) — identifies brainwave patterns linked to specific ADHD subtypes
- Thyroid & Adrenal Panels — because fatigue, irritability, and brain fog can mimic ADHD
Why Test?
Testing helps us:
- 🔍 Pinpoint your unique drivers (not guess)
- 💊 Match the right nutrients to your neurochemistry
- 🚫 Avoid overloading the body with the wrong protocols
- 📈 Track progress over time with measurable markers
Walsh Biotypes and ADHD Subtypes
Over 30 years of research from Dr. William Walsh and his team has shown that ADHD is not one single condition — but a spectrum of distinct biochemical subtypes, each requiring specific nutrient support.
👉 This is why generic ADHD protocols often fail — because two people with the same diagnosis may have completely different biotypes.
Here are the most common Walsh biotypes seen in ADHD:
Common Walsh Biotypes seen in ADHD:
Undermethylation
Often found in highly driven, focused individuals who experience inner tension, rigidity, low serotonin, and perfectionistic tendencies.
- These individuals may respond well to nutrients like SAMe or methionine
- Folate and B12 may worsen symptoms in this group
Overmethylation
More common in emotionally sensitive or anxious individuals with low histamine and high dopamine activity.
Symptoms may include:
- Panic
- Sensory overload
- Mood swings
- Dilated pupils
- High reactivity
These individuals often react poorly to methyl donors.
They do better with calming nutrients such as folate, niacinamide, B12.
Copper Overload
Excess copper raises norepinephrine and adrenaline, fuelling:
- Hyperactivity
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Emotional volatility
Copper overload is especially common in children — and zinc plus B6 are crucial for restoring balance.
-
Pyrrole Disorder
Characterised by:
- Low stress tolerance
- Irritability and emotional reactivity
- Dreamless sleep
- Poor short-term memory
Caused by genetic tendencies that increase the excretion of zinc and B6, which are essential for dopamine and serotonin production.
💡 These patterns aren’t “personality traits” — they’re measurable biochemical imbalances that we can test, correct, and support.
🧪 That’s why we use Walsh biotype testing — not to label you, but to personalise your ADHD treatment based on your biology.
Our Functional Medicine Approach
As an ADHD naturopath, I don’t see ADHD as a single diagnosis — I see it as a unique expression of how your brain, body, and environment interact.
Our job is to decode that pattern and support your healing.
Whether you’re:
- A parent navigating your child’s hyperactivity
- An adult who has masked symptoms for decades
- Or someone seeking integrative care after medication side-effects
— the BalanSoul approach remains the same: supportive, personalised, and grounded in science.
Here’s what defines our care:
✔ Biochemically precise (guided by functional labs)
✔ Neurodiversity-affirming (we don’t pathologise your wiring)
✔ Emotionally attuned and trauma-informed
✔ Root-cause focused, not symptom-focused
We work collaboratively, step-by-step, to understand what your symptoms are trying to communicate, what your biology needs, and how to stabilise focus, emotional regulation, sleep, and motivation.
You are not alone — and healing is possible.
How We Work With You:
We know seeking support for ADHD can feel overwhelming — especially if you’ve already tried things that didn’t work.
At BalanSoul, our process is designed to give you clarity, personalised care, and support that evolves with you.
Here’s what working together looks like:
1) In-Depth Initial Consultation (90 minutes)
Your story matters.
This is a comprehensive 90-minute consultation, not a rushed checklist. We explore:
- Your history and early patterns
- Stress, sleep, energy, and focus
- Digestion, diet, and sensitivities
- Past treatments and responses
👉 This session helps us understand why your ADHD looks the way it does — so your plan is based on insight, not guesswork.
2) Functional Lab Testing
When helpful, we recommend targeted functional testing — only what’s relevant to you.
This may include markers such as:
- Histamine and methylation patterns
- Zinc–copper balance
- Pyrroles (HPL)
- Adrenal, thyroid, or inflammatory markers
👉 Testing helps us match the right nutrients to your neurochemistry, avoiding trial-and-error.
3) Targeted Nutrient Therapy
Using your results, we create a customised ADHD nutrient plan that may include:
- Vitamins and minerals
- Amino acids
- Herbal or neurocalming supports
- Methylation-specific nutrients
Everything is tailored to your biotype, sensitivities, and symptoms.
4) Lifestyle & Nervous System Support
ADHD is not just biochemical — daily patterns matter.
We support you with practical strategies around:
- Sleep and circadian rhythm
- Food and blood-sugar balance
- Movement, breathwork, and sensory regulation
- Screen-time and stress recovery
These shifts often make the biggest difference over time.
5) Ongoing Support & Adjustments
Healing isn’t linear — and you’re not left on your own.
We continue to refine your plan as your symptoms shift. Some clients reduce medication with support; others combine approaches long-term.
👉 Our goal is steady focus, calmer emotions, and a life that feels more manageable — not overwhelming.
FAQ
Do I need a formal ADHD diagnosis?
No. We support both diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals — including those who self-identify based on lived experience.
Can I take medication while working with you?
Absolutely. Many of our clients combine medication with natural therapies. We never suggest altering medication without prescriber guidance.
Is this safe for kids or teenagers?
Yes. All plans are customized based on age, severity, and test results.
What if I’ve already tried supplements?
Most over-the-counter supplements aren’t matched to your biotype or neurochemistry. We test first — then tailor your protocol precisely.
Can adults develop ADHD later in life?
ADHD doesn’t develop suddenly in adulthood, but many adults remain undiagnosed until later — often after burnout or relationship stress brings symptoms to light.
