Pure Encapsulations CurcumaSorb Mind | Supplement to Support Memory, Sharpness, and Cognitive Function* | 60 Capsules

My girl was diagnosed with ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive Type (also referred to by some as ADD) when she was 9 going on 10. She had a batch of the usual symptoms: inability to focus, distractibility, chattiness, disorganization, and so on. She is bright, does quite well in school and is charismatic, so it wasn't that obvious to many people. Indeed, I've learned that girls' ADD is missed for such reasons (and only diagnosed later in life); boys are viewed as hyper and girls as ditzy or spacy and ADHD might not be as obvious with the girls.We switched schools when she entered 5th grade. The head of school at the new school asked us to not medicate her and see how she did. The new school is much more engaging for her; thus, her problems lessened, but they didn't go away.But at the start of 6th grade, as a result of seeing my own psychiatrist to handle my own situation (I have the same malady), I realized that I needed more effective interventions for her. I had talked to her teachers and they noticed a lack of focus, though it was not horrifically bad (and her classes are small so they help keep her on track).While I have tried stimulants, I wanted to avoid these for her for a couple of reasons: a) They suppress appetite and I think growth. I've read a lot about this subject. I know some say the medication delays growth, doesn't ultimately suppress it or keep kids from reaching their genetic potential. I don't know about that. My nephew's growth flattened out at a crucial time in his maturation and he ended up shorter than expected. There is a limited growth window during which one should be growing. I think the growth window closes. No, I don't have scientific proof, but it just makes sense. b) The side effects of stimulants are the things that keep me always trying to figure out alternatives for myself. My sleep and mood are adversely affected.I came across the book Finally Focused by James Greenblatt. I highly recommend this book for anyone dealing with ADHD of whatever type. I have instituted a regime that he recommends. My daughter takes it daily in the morning with food. The dosages listed here are quite important -- less or more won't help, though Magnesium can probably vary a bit:- 50 mg Vitamin B6-About 150mg Magnesium Citrate (Magnesium Oxide said to be ineffective)-15 mg Zinc Orotate (or Picolinate)- A supplement/s containing Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs). OPCs are found in Grape Seed Extract, Blueberry Extract (Bilberry), Pine Bark Extract, Green Tea Extract, etc. After trying other things, I went with the supplement that Greenblatt himself formulated (though others seemed effective). It's called "Curcumasorb Mind." Not to be confused with simple "Curcumabsorb" a different product from the same company Pure Encapsulations. The supplement is expensive, no doubt about it. I was actually pretty annoyed with Greenblatt for recommending a supplement that he himself profits from. I think that's a little sketchy. But at the end of the day, it's convenient to not have to mix a bunch of supplements to make my own. There are options to what he recommends. You can read his book.I also give her Fish Oil, a liquid kids multivitamin from Vitamin Shoppe, and at night for sleep Vitamin Shoppe's Magnesium Calm Zone. NOTE: There is a company which mixes the zinc, magnesium, B6 above all into one capsule and also into gummies -- you can find it online. I think the product is good (and convenient), but for some reason their formulation upset my daughter's stomach -- whether capsule or gummies. Giving these items separately doesn't upset her stomach.RESULTS: After a few weeks, she feels more focused herself, her teachers indicate she's more focused, and the other day when she was complaining about taking the vitamins, she said, "But my friends really notice when I don't take them. They'll say, 'what's up with you? Normally you're focused!" One of the teachers who said she's better this year had no idea of her situation at all so her comments carried a lot of weight with me; she had taught my girl for a month or two at the end of last year. And she spontaneously mentioned the change this year to my daughter one day, "You're different this year." My daughter is still her same bubbly self, but she is less chatty, more focused, and feels more focused. ONE WARNING: Curcumabsorb Mind -- on the bottle it says take one capsule in the morning and one in the evening. Both my daughter and I were just taking two capsules in the morning. That was a mistake. We both started getting fairly anxious, noticeably so. When we went with one in the morning, one in the evening, things reverted to a better state.Now you may have noticed I said I was taking the supplements too. Indeed, I've taken all this stuff in parallel with her and I've found it works pretty well. I have concluded for myself that it probably works in the range of about 60-80% effectiveness. It's really hard to gauge this kind of stuff on a purely self-examining basis. For her, I go with the statements made about her by her peers and teachers as proof, and I really try not to lead them on when talking to them: I want to hear reality, not what they think I want to hear.These supplements don't fully work for me and I don't think they fully work for her, though they really get her far down the road. Thus, I have ordered DopaPlus, also from Pure Encapsulations, and will start to add this supplement into her daily regime. It is said to support dopamine levels through a variety of means. Supposedly it will increase motivation to get things like homework done, curb procrastination and the like. I note I have come across DopaBoost and other supplements that might do the same. I am not here shilling for Pure Encapsulations and I am frustrated by the cost.In his book, Greenblatt says that the DopaPlus shouldn't be given to a kid less than 12 years old. But I emailed him and he said I shouldn't worry with my 11-year-old. He said she could take it. Now, I might have started her earlier with DopaPlus had I known this, but I'm glad I didn't because I can see that the other stuff is indeed quite effective, if not fully effective. If she gets "normalized" or "near normalized" with the addition of DopaPlus, that will be the regime I stay on until at least she's done with her growth in a few years.Right now, I'm taking the stuff I mentioned above for myself, but I also take a minimal dose of Concerta (13.5 mg daily). I will try the DopaPlus myself and cease Concerta to see the effect. One thing I like about Greenblatt is he is not blanket against medication; he just thinks they should be the last resort. Also, he says a good use of the supplements is to bring down significantly the amount of medication and the side effects suffered.I want to reasses after we've had a good run with DopaPlus to see if we are out of the woods. Right now, she pays attention in class and is less chatty. The challenge I am really trying to address most specifically with DopaPlus is that she procrastinates on homework and doesn't focus to get it done quickly or well; her teachers for the most part say she still gets A's 'cause she's smart and good in class. Of course, there are other things that she'll be helped with if the DopaPlus works, but I'll look to improvement in the homework arena for the surest sign. It's the easiest thing for me to monitor. It's hard to rely on just one or two sets of data points to see what is working (or not). It takes monitoring a lot of things. IMPORTANT UPDATE: See the review I left on Pure Encapsulations DopaPlus -- very positive. I have come to the conclusion that the Pure Encapsulations products I use are in fact really cost-effective and do a good job of combining just the right things -- in comparison to comparable or roughly comparable products. UPDATE YEARS LATER: Stimulants are really what did the trick. Read my review on PE DopaPlus. This is good back-up I suppose if you can afford.

I have read and I am following the recommendations in the book "Finally Focused". This product was part of those recommendations and it does help. I do recommend it. I have seen an improvement and others, in more professional setting, have also seen an overall improvement. I believe this product has played a part in that.

It’s very hard to review vitamins and supplements without having real data to back it up, but I took these for several months on the recommendation of a counselor to address brain fog / cognitive challenges. All I can say is, I personally felt no difference or improvement. Others might have different results. But at the price point — $60-$65 a bottle (30 day supply of 60 capsules), I expected more. After $300 worth (that’s a hard number!) I stopped taking them, and I am still at status-quo.

I have noticed over time that my cognitive values have improved measurably

Read about this in James Greenblatt's book Finally Focused. It has been used for about 6 months and helps with attention and focus. A little expensive but natural and helpful. I have recommended it to friends.

Good for my mental fog

It was recommendedin book but did not experience any benefits

Can't speak to efficacy yet as my son hasn't been on it long. But, I wanted to mention for any other parents looking to get a kid to take this that won't swallow pills, I opened the capsule and snuck it into a smoothie last night and he didn't even taste it.