N-Acetylcysteine for ADHD?

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:57:34 +0000

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:
https://medium.com/wise-well/a....-supplement-with-a-k

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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)
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.co....m/doi/epdf/10.1002/a

Findings from a pilot open-label trial of N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of pediatric mania and hypomania (2022)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p....mc/articles/PMC90668

N-Acetyl Cysteine in the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p....mc/articles/PMC44231

Glutamate/glutamine and neuronal integrity in adults with ADHD: a proton MRS study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p....mc/articles/PMC39660

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.

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