?How I Took My Son Off Ritalin

How I Weaned My Son Off Ritalin—Naturally and Safely

My son was diagnosed with ADHD—attention deficit and hyperactivity. From first grade through the middle of fifth grade, he tried nearly every common medication: Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse, even Strattera. Each brought difficult side effects: extreme appetite loss, stomachaches, facial tics, and most painful of all—emotional numbness, social withdrawal, and a deep lack of care or connection.

Yes, the meds helped him focus, and academically he did well.
But as parents, we had to ask: Is this really worth the cost?
When we saw how his emotional and social wellbeing were deteriorating—and armed with my own knowledge as a naturopath—my partner and I decided to try a natural approach.

We took it slowly and responsibly.
While he was still on medication, I created a personalized herbal formula to support focus and attention. I ran standard blood tests, which showed major deficiencies in vitamins B12 and D, and I supplemented accordingly. I also ran a hair tissue mineral analysis and found high levels of mercury and aluminum. We started a gentle detox using child-friendly supplements.

Later, a microbiome test revealed significant gut flora imbalance, leaky gut, and weakened immunity. Based on the results, I designed a protocol to rebalance his gut microbiota and reduce systemic inflammation using targeted nutrition, supplements, and restorative natural therapies.
I also used modern homeopathy and incorporated a home neurofeedback kit to help him train his brain to focus—without relying on any medication.

All of this happened gradually, over time, in close collaboration with his educators and with daily responsiveness to his needs.

So where are we today?
It’s been over six years since he last took medication. He’s thriving—an outstanding student, fluent in classic English literature, studying computer science, advanced math, and English, composing music, and playing the piano beautifully. Yes, he still has a touch of restlessness—but that’s part of his magic.

⚠️ A word of caution: many parents try to stop meds cold turkey without proper support, and understandably face intense rebound effects. It's important to know this is a well-known phenomenon after stopping stimulants. But with patience and the right supportive care, many children naturally stabilize within two to three weeks.

🔍 Full disclosure: As a naturopath, I am not licensed to instruct medication discontinuation—that is solely the parents’ decision and responsibility. But what I can say is this: Ritalin and similar drugs do not heal—they suppress. There is another way. A natural, holistic, healing path. I chose it—and it transformed my son’s life.

📲 For a personal consultation to explore whether this approach is right for your child, feel free to message me on WhatsApp.

—Netta Pelleg-Jerad, ND