Homeopathic Approaches Don’t Work for ADHD

February 6, 2024

Homeopathic “remedies” — readily available in natural food stores without a doctor’s prescription — are ineffective in the treatment of ADHD, according to scientific evidence.

After reviewing 10 years of research on homeopathic remedies for ADHD symptoms, CHADD, a nonprofit organization serving people affected by ADHD, concluded that “No research to date has shown reliable peer-reviewed evidence that homeopathy offers the same benefits as proven treatments, including behavioral management and medication management.”

In addition, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in a private homeopathic clinic in Seattle provided no evidence to support using homeopathic remedies in children with ADHD, according to a 2005 study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. ¹  The authors of a 2007 study published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found “little evidence for the efficacy of homeopathy for the treatment of ADHD.” ²

Still, some with ADHD — especially those who wish to avoid or reduce their use of prescription medications — may consider homeopathic remedies. Here, we explain why homeopathy is an unwise and wasteful approach to addressing ADHD.

What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy involves taking substances that cause undesired symptoms in healthy people — like arsenic or tuberculosis bacteria — and diluting them hundreds or thousands of times in alcohol or water. The final product, known as a homeopathic, is primarily water — only minuscule amounts of the active ingredient remain. According to the theory of 18^th-century German physician Samuel Hahnemann, this small amount works much like a vaccine would, triggering a symptom-reducing reaction in people who present with the disease already. Homeopathy rose to prominence in the 19^th century, and though its popularity has since dwindled, it remains in use — in various forms — in countries worldwide.

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Many in the international medical community consider homeopathy little more than pseudoscience.

“The effects that many people experience after homeopathic therapy are not due to the homeopathic remedy but to the usually long and empathetic therapeutic encounter, the placebo effect, and other non-specific effects,” Edzard Ernst, M.D., Ph.D., MAE, FMedSci, FRSB, FRCP, FRCPEd, wrote in a blog post. “To put it bluntly, homeopathy is a kind of amateur psychotherapy.”

In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an official statement specifically warning against the use of homeopathy for serious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, or malaria.³ The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, the United Kingdom’s House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, and the Swiss Federal Health Office have all separately concluded that homeopathic remedies are not effective and have recommended that they not receive government funding. The UK National Health Service no longer funds homeopathic medicine, declaring it a “misuse of resources.”

Homeopathic Treatments: What the Science Says

Below, we’ve outlined several homeopathic remedies used by individuals with ADHD to see if they have the science to back up the claims.

Coffea Cruda

Made from unroasted coffee beans, the homeopathic remedy coffea cruda claims to have the exact opposite effect as a cup of joe: It unwinds the mind instead of revving it up and combats sleeplessness and racing thoughts in children and adults with ADHD.

What the Research Says: Coffea cruda has been tested in a few small studies, including one that found that young adults with anxiety and trouble sleeping demonstrated less fatigue following nights that they were treated with coffea cruda, when compared to a placebo. ⁴ The same study, however, found that the subjects woke up more frequently during the night when taking coffea cruda and cycled between sleep stages more rapidly than they normally would.

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Synaptol

Synaptol is a homeopathic liquid made of green oat grass (avena sativa), sweet violet (viola odorata), skullcap (scutelaria lateriflora), and several other herbs claimed by the manufacturer to improve attention and limit hyperactivity. Synaptol contains no alcohol or sugar and advertises itself as gluten-free.

What the Research Says: No clinical studies have been done on Synaptol as a whole. Each separate component has been listed in the Homeopathic Materia Medica, a compilation of the results of Hahnemann’s “pathogenetic trials.” At least two small studies — both published in 2011^{5 6} — found that green oat grass, in particular, can boost cognitive skills and concentration in adults. However, both of these studies used non-homeopathic levels of green oat grass; it’s unclear if the low levels present in Synaptol would have the same effect.

Verat Alb

Derived from a plant in the lily family, verat alb is used to “soothe the nerves,” and has been claimed to reduce the potential for temper tantrums in children who struggle to control their emotions. Like other plants used in homeopathy, verat alb is highly dangerous in large doses; in fact, recent hypotheses suggest⁷ that Alexander the Great was killed with verta alb, as opposed to arsenic — though historians remain divided on the issue.

Verat alb is present in several homeopathic remedies designed to treat ADHD, including BrightSpark, a popular compound produced by the company Native Remedies.

What the Research Says: No studies have been conducted on either BrightSpark or verta alb on its own.

Stramonium

Stramonium, derived from the herb Datura stramonium — also known as Devil’s Snare — is intended to reduce aggressive or violent behavior.  At high doses, however, stramonium can cause illusions, delirium, or, in rare cases, death.

What the Research Says: On September 20, 2023, Pediatric Research retracted a paper, which cited a small 1997 study that tested several homeopathic remedies on children with ADHD and found that stramonium was among the most effective when compared to a placebo for “deficiencies” and “concerns regarding the analysis of the articles included in the meta-analysis.” ⁸

The study was not truly double-blind, as it claimed; researchers knew which subjects had been assigned to the homeopathic treatment and which were assigned to the placebo. Additionally, a large number of the children in the study were simultaneously taking Ritalin or other stimulant medications, likely confounding the results.

Hyoscyamus

Hyoscyamus — also known as hen-bane — is a nightshade that is a close relative of stramonium. Like other members of the nightshade family, it is known to cause delusions or sickness when consumed in large amounts. In tiny homeopathic amounts, it is specifically recommended for fidgety, restless children — particularly those who struggle to control their outbursts.

What the Research Says: On September 20, 2023, Pediatric Research retracted a paper, which cited a 2005 randomized, double-blind study on 62 children with ADHD who showed improvement in symptoms after taking a homeopathic blend — of which hyoscyamus was a significant part when compared to a placebo. The study excluded children who failed to respond to homeopathic remedies during a pre-trial evaluation period, indicating a likely bias in the final results.⁸

ADHD Treatment

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends treating ADHD in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 with FDA-approved medications, plus parent training in behavior modification and behavioral classroom interventions. Research studies like this one conducted by scientists at McGill University have found that “stimulant medications are most effective, and combined medication and psychosocial treatment is the most beneficial treatment option for most adult patients with ADHD.” All ADHD treatment decisions should be made in consultation and coordination with a licensed medical provider.

Alternatives to Homeopathy: Next Steps

• Read: Melatonin, Omega 3 & Dietary Supplements: ADHD Hype or Help?
• Read: 10 Foods (and Supplements and Vitamins!) to Build Focus, Energy, Mood
• Download: What to Eat — And Avoid — to Improve ADHD Symptoms
• Listen: “Non-Medical Interventions to Manage ADHD Symptoms” 

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