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Mike from California wrote to us saying:
"Hello, I just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth on the Guarana....
Saying Guarana is a "Glorified Caffeine", would be the same as saying Adrenaline is the same as Caffeine. Inspection of the Guarana molecular structure clearly shows it to be a separate structure, with differences as significant as the difference between Caffeine and Adrenaline.
I use it for ADD on a daily basis and it works wonderfully for me. Coffee does not, Being ADD, it is my choice of medication, as it is not only functional in keeping me focused, it is also inexpensive and readily available. I do not sell it! So I'm not saying this for money. I also do not sell any other meds, so it doesn't cost me any lost revenues to suggest it is very much worth a try. I've been using it for over eight years and it works for me.
This is in no way a suggestion that it will or will not work for anyone else, but if it does, great. Everybody is different and has different reactions to similar types of compounds.
I think to state out of hand that it wouldn't or couldn't work is irresponsible, as much or more so than to say it does. I don't have a PhD at the end of My name to "Qualify" my statement but I have been ADD all my life, so I speak from experience and directly from the heart.
I was in serious trouble until I started using Guarana, had not finished any thing in my life ( Lots of starts), and literally could not remember if I was coming or going. It drove me to depression and tears.
I do not claim it as any sort of cure, as I regress to confusion without it. I don't know why it works for me.
Thank You"
We checked out Guarana on the net and found the main site for the people who manufacture this as a drink. It was very interesting what they had to say about Guarana for ADHD and how they are "quite skeptical about many of these stories":
"Guarana (pronounced gwa-ra-naa) is a berry that grows in Venezuela and the northern parts of Brazil. The name 'Guarana' comes from the Guarani tribe that lives in Brazil. Guarana plays a very important role in their culture, as this herb is believed to be magical, a cure for bowel complaints and a way to regain strength. They also tell the myth of a 'Devine Child', that was killed by a serpent and whos eyes gave birth to this plant. Guarana's biological name, Paullinia Cupana, was taken from the German medical botanist C.F. Paullini, who discovered the tribe and the plant in the 18th century. The taste of Guarana is distinctive and unique, and the main reason for its success in Brazil as a soft drink. The main ingredient of guarana is guaranine, which is chemically identical to caffeine. This is the reason for the energy boost people get after taking guarana."
They go on to say...
"A negative side effect of its popularity is the mystification of guarana. Some companies market their Guarana-based products as a drug doing miracles for headaches, overweight, neurological disorders like ADHD, and numerous other diseases. We are quite skeptical about many of these stories, but feel free to share your experiences with these products in our Guarana forum."
Mary Kay from USA says.........
"I have never taken Guarana as something to relieve my ADHD, but I do know the following about guarana:
1.) It's a berry
2.) Guarana is often used in "designer drinks" that contain herbs, berries, etc for alternative/non-traditional uses or "sports drinks".
3.) Guarana is used in these "energy-booster" drinks because it contains caffeine.
I thought I'd put that last part because I know some of your remedies on your site include the removal of caffeine from one's diet.
Just thought you should know."
Report highlights potential dangers of supplements
Reuters Health 2003-01-10
By Amy Norton
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Better safety monitoring is needed for dietary supplements, some of which have the potential for "substantial hazard," according to a US study released Thursday. The study of 11 poison control centers nationwide found that the centers received more than 2,300 calls about dietary supplements in 1998. In all, researchers believe nearly 500 people had symptoms likely caused by a supplement, and the "adverse events" ranged from mild to serious.
In fact, one third of supplement-related problems were moderate or severe, according to findings published in the January 11th issue of The Lancet. Serious symptoms included seizure, heart-rhythm disturbances and liver dysfunction, among other problems. Four deaths were thought to be tied to supplements. These poison-control figures cannot be used to estimate the safety risk to the average consumer taking dietary supplements, since many variables go into that, the study authors point out. Still, they say the findings highlight the fact that supplements, despite their widespread "natural" image, can carry side effects.
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