Mental Health

ADHD

About ADHD — Mental Health.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: persistent inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity that disrupts daily life.

8studies analysed

3compounds with evidence

Systematic reviewstrongest evidence

Where research is strongest

Add your outcome — free & pseudonymous

Tried something for ADHD? Share how it went — only ever published as part of a group of 10+.

5linked compounds

30linked studies

0published community reports

Results By the numbers Community Research Compounds

Headline results for ADHD.

Figures as the studies reported them.

Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.

Omega 3

5 of 7 results reported a benefit

3 studies, including a review of trials

ADHD symptomsNo clear differencenegligible standardised effect1 review of trials2 of 3 results reported a benefit2023 study ↗

No figure given: Impulsive actions (no clear benefit); Impulsive thinking (reported a benefit); Not planning ahead (reported a benefit); Overall impulsiveness (reported a benefit).

Every result

L Theanine

4 of 7 results reported a benefit

3 studies, including a review of trials

Nothing measured this condition directly. These were measured:

Sleep efficiencyReported a benefitL-theanine improved sleep efficiency compared to baseline.1 review of trials · no comparable figure reported2 of 2 results reported a benefit2025 study ↗

No figure given: Impulse-control reaction time (possible harm); Overall thinking skills (reported a benefit); Percentage of time asleep (reported a benefit); Time awake during the night (unclear); Time to fall asleep (no clear benefit).

Every result

Zinc

2 of 5 results reported a benefit

2 studies, including a review of trials

ADHD symptomsModerate effectmoderately better than the comparison group1 review of trials2022 study ↗
Hyperactivity symptomsNo clear differencelarge standardised effect1 review of trials2022 study ↗
Inattention symptomsNo clear differenceslight standardised effect1 review of trials2022 study ↗

Also measured alongside: Thinking test performance (reported a benefit); Copper and iron blood levels (no clear benefit).

Every result

Where the evidence is concentrated.

Published research

ADHD: findings by compound

What this means: Bars count reported findings, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.

One study may report several findings or appear in more than one pairing. Counts do not show the size of an effect. Comparable numerical estimates are not established for this summary.

View the full data table

Published research: reported directions by pairing
Compound and condition	Findings (count)	Studies (count)	Reported results (finding counts)	How sure?
Omega 3	7	3	Benefit: 5; no benefit: 2; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
L Theanine	7	3	Benefit: 4; no benefit: 1; harm: 1; unclear: 1; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Zinc	6	2	Benefit: 2; no benefit: 4; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded

Degree of benefit for Adhd

Strongest evidence first.

Published research: Adhd. Study design is not a certainty grade.
Compound	Study designs	Reported findings
Omega 3Research score 55/100 · Moderate	2 systematic reviews/meta-analyses + 1 randomised trial — 3 studies	5/7 outcomes showed benefit ADHD core symptoms (treatment duration ≥ 4 months)Slightly better than the comparison group (slight effect)benefit2023 study ↗ Exact figures -0.35 (95% CI,-0.61 to -0.09; P = .007) · Follow-up: at least 4 months · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Core Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 37656283 ADHD severity (standardized mean difference in rating scales)Reported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2011 study ↗ Exact figures n=699 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 699 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology: systematic review and meta-analysis. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 21961774 ADHD core symptoms (overall)No clear difference (negligible standardised effect)no benefit2023 study ↗ Exact figures -0.16 (95% CI, -0.34 to 0.01; P = .07) n=1,789 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 1,789 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Core Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 37656283 Total BIS-11c scoreReported a benefit — see exact figuresbenefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures (P = .049) n=60 · Follow-up: 8 weeks · Sample (as reported): 60 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Impulsiveness in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder after an 8-week intervention with the Mediterranean diet and/or omega-3 fatty acids: a randomised clinical trial. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 34656505 +3 more outcomes →
L TheanineResearch score 50/100 · Moderate	1 systematic review/meta-analysis + 2 randomised trials — 3 studies	4/7 outcomes showed benefit Sleep efficiencyReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2025 study ↗ Exact figures No figures reported · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Efficiency of Different Supplements in Alleviating Symptoms of ADHD with or Without the Use of Stimulants: A Systematic Review. · Systematic Review · systematic-review · PMID 40362791 Total cognition compositeReported a benefit — see exact figuresbenefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures (p = 0.040) n=five boys (8-15 years) · Follow-up: ~ 2 h post-dose · Sample (as reported): five boys (8-15 years) · Recorded unit: Not reported · Effects of L-theanine-caffeine combination on sustained attention and inhibitory control among children with ADHD: a proof-of-concept neuroimaging RCT. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 32753637 Sleep efficiency scoresReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2011 study ↗ Exact figures n=98 · Follow-up: six weeks · Sample (as reported): 98 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 22214254 Sleep percentageReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2011 study ↗ Exact figures n=98 · Follow-up: six weeks · Sample (as reported): 98 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 22214254 +3 more outcomes →
ZincResearch score 21/100 · Mixed/Weak	1 systematic review/meta-analysis + 1 randomised trial — 2 studies	2/6 outcomes showed benefit ADHD total scoresModerately better than the comparison group (moderate effect)benefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures -0.62 (95% CI: -1.24 to -0.002, p = 0.04) n=489 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 489 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The effect of zinc supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and dose-response meta‑analysis of randomized clinical trials. · Systematic Review · systematic-review · PMID 34184967 Objective neuropsychological measuresSlightly better than the comparison group (slight effect)benefit2011 study ↗ Exact figures 0.36-0.7 n=52 · Follow-up: 13 weeks · Sample (as reported): 52 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Zinc for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: placebo-controlled double-blind pilot trial alone and combined with amphetamine. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 21309695 Hyperactivity scoresNo clear difference (large standardised effect)no benefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures -0.93 (95% CI: -3.31 to 1.45, p = 0.44) n=489 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 489 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The effect of zinc supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and dose-response meta‑analysis of randomized clinical trials. · Systematic Review · systematic-review · PMID 34184967 Inattention scoresNo clear difference (slight standardised effect)no benefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures 0.21 (95% CI: -0.09 to 0.51, p = 0.17) n=489 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 489 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The effect of zinc supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and dose-response meta‑analysis of randomized clinical trials. · Systematic Review · systematic-review · PMID 34184967 +2 more outcomes →

Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.

No community reports published yet.

We publish adhd results only once at least 10 people report on the same compound, so no individual report is ever shown.

Omega 3
Research saysResearch score 55/100 · Moderate3 of 3 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
L Theanine
Research saysResearch score 50/100 · Moderate3 of 3 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Zinc
Research saysResearch score 21/100 · Mixed/Weak2 of 2 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports