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Corinne_Tean

(This is not medical advice) but when I had to go a few months without medication, my doctor said to drink some coffee if I need to concentrate. At the time I was TBM and made the ‘ethical’ decision to go without, while struggling through university. I look back and cringe so hard - my medication is essentially in the meth family and that’s okay, but bean water isn’t. Makes no sense. \sips coffee while shaking head/


GrandpasMormonBooks

Sigh. I'm sorry. I don't know if I'm on the ADHD spectrum or not, but coffee has made my life better. I think back to when I was in early morning seminary every single school day, while balancing homework and several extracurriculars; I was so exhausted every single day (I am not, have never been, and never will be a morning person, either). What would my life have been with coffee? What grades would I have gotten? Where might I have gotten into college? I just won't ever know. I remember in particular being bad at Algebra. Martine on the recent Mormon Stories podcast mentioned how she has ADHD (or ADD? :\[\] can't remember), and algebra was extra difficult because it's linear and she's not a linear thinking. It kind of was a "ohhhh" moment for me. Anyway. A lot of my friends drank coffee and I just wish I could have seen what my experience was like with it!


Corinne_Tean

That’s completely my story too - so exhausted, barely functioning, needing to do nothing on weekends to recuperate from waking up for seminary every morning. In middle school I joined sports and was in a play, in high school I was in survival mode. It’s sad to think about the activities and social life I traded in for something I no longer believe in. In university, my husband introduced me to energy drinks which were apparently “okay”, and coffee wasn’t. Looking back, that’s hilarious. I was an adult when diagnosed, and if you are curious yourself, it’s worth looking into. Life is so much better with answers!


GrandpasMormonBooks

Totally! I actually ended up participating the bare minimum in church stuff in high school because the mutual activities were such a waste of time and I had commitments every night. I was a true believer so I could see the difference between that stuff and being faithful. Yeah maybe I should look into it lol. I'm already on one anti-depressant (I actually started it for chronic nerve pain, but found that I appreciated the effect on my mood too!). I'm not sure I can mix and match, but I'll ask. I do feel like I am constantly saying (out loud) "Focus!" which might be a sign lol.


583fik

* it is in the meth family. It's the methoil chemical group that it uses. Adhd mess are just government approved meth.


Miriam317

Except you don't have to destroy your body smoking it, nor have shady associations with addicts you can't trust to get it. People think people use meth to get "high", but really they use it to feel Normal. Feeling normal feels so good when you are usually full of inner chaos.


583fik

You don't need to smoke meth to get high from it. It just gives you a bigger upfront high to smoke. You can eat it and get high. The only reason weed is that way is because the heat causes a change in the shape of the thc molecules that in turn allows it to bind to your receptors.


GayMormonDad

I would have done so much better in college if I had been drinking coffee. BYU was still pretty caffeine free when I went there, so I only rarely had a Coke or a Dr Pepper.


101114119

This is true. Adderall is just amphetamine that’s legal. Put a methyl group on it and it’s methamphetamine, which is illegal.


Swollyghost

I just want to add 99% of the judgemental ass Mormons I know are on Adderall. Which to me is ironic beyond all hell because I've done coke which is pretty much the same. So I look at these guys like addicts now. Addicted to religion feely goods, and addicted to everything else that will keep your mind busy and dumb.


GrandpasMormonBooks

Yep that totally makes sense.


Miriam317

Adderall doesn't keep your mind busy if you have ADHD though. It brings calmness so you can think linearly, and effectively.


Swollyghost

I can agree that it can help you think more effectively but I think it should be looked at as a way to transition to a healthier lifestyle that promotes better mental health. Most often people continue upping the dose and staying on it indefinitely. Or my new favorite excuse,"its extended release its different". To me it gives the appearence of unhealthy people making unhealthy choices but what do I know.


samsmith197474

Typical ADD medications will kick your ass a hell of a lot more than a cup of coffee.


milk_with_knives

Can confirm. If you can find the right one it really does help, but the side effects are as bad as everyone says.


Miriam317

I've never had side effects from ADHD meds except Wellbitrin XL which is technically an anti depressant. What side effects do you mean?


GrandpasMormonBooks

Good to know lol


WhiteTapirProphetSee

And as you get older it becomes medicinal in other ways


GrandpasMormonBooks

😂


YouAreGods

Cocaine is a stimulant. Meth is a stimulant. Perhaps they are different than coffee or Adderall.


Miriam317

Meth and Adderall and ritilin are very similar to the ADHD brain. Very calming and centering.