Overview
Pycnogenol is a standardized extract made from French maritime pine bark. In pediatric research on ADHD and this supplement, they found improvements in hyperactivity and impulsivity. It performed similarly to methylphenidate in one trial.
What Is Pycnogenol?
Pycnogenol® is the trademarked name for a standardized extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree (Pinus pinaster). It contains a mixture of polyphenols, including procyanidins, catechin, taxifolin, and several phenolic acids.
These polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are important for both the ADHD brain and the body. You can also find generic pine bark extract supplements; however, those are not the specific studied formulas and may not contain the same properties.
Pycnogenol works in the ADHD body in a few different ways:
- It acts as an antioxidant. ADHD is connected with worse antioxidant systems and higher oxidative stress, which is why consuming polyphenols and other plant compounds are important.
- It may affect inflammation and immune signaling. Polyphenols can influence inflammatory pathways. The 2022 study on ADHD below also looked at immune and oxidative-stress markers, and they found positive changes in catalase activity and immunoglobulin levels.
- It may influence catecholamines. Dopamine and norepinephrine (catecholamines) are heavily involved in attention, motivation, inhibition, and executive functioning. In a small randomized trial in children with ADHD, one month of Pycnogenol reduced urinary dopamine and produced a trend toward lower norepinephrine and epinephrine. Higher norepinephrine was associated with greater hyperactivity at baseline, so the researchers proposed that Pycnogenol may help normalize catecholamine regulation.
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Does Pycnogenal Help ADHD Symptoms?
We have quite a few studies on Pycnogenal and ADHD. Overall, it seems like a promising natural supplement for reducing mainly hyperactivity and impulsivity. It seems to have less of an effect on inattentive symptoms. Below are brief breakdowns of our current studies:
Trebatická et al., 2006— 61 children with ADHD, ages 6–14, randomized to 1 mg/kg/day Pycnogenol or placebo for 4 weeks. Found: reduced hyperactivity and improved attention, concentration, and visual-motor coordination in the Pycnogenol group. Symptoms returned toward baseline within a month of stopping the supplement.
Tenenbaum et al., 2002 — 24 adults with ADHD, ages 24–53, received Pycnogenol, methylphenidate, and placebo for three weeks each in a randomized crossover study.
Found: symptoms improved during all three treatments, but neither Pycnogenol nor methylphenidate significantly outperformed placebo. The researchers noted that the short treatment duration and conservative doses may have contributed, but this still means we do not currently have convincing evidence for Pycnogenol in adult ADHD.
Hsu et al., 2021 — 20 children and adolescents with ADHD completed four weeks of pine bark extract and four weeks of placebo in a randomized crossover study. They received 25 or 50 mg/day, depending on body weight.
Found: reductions in parent-rated inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity and fewer commission errors on a continuous-performance attention test. Antioxidant markers improved too, but those changes did not correlate with attention improvements. This study used Oligopin®, not branded Pycnogenol, although the extracts have similar polyphenol compositions.
Weyns et al., 2022 — 88 children with ADHD, average age about 10, randomized to Pycnogenol, methylphenidate, or placebo for 10 weeks. Pycnogenol doses were 20 mg/day for children under 30 kg and 40 mg/day for children 30 kg or above.
Found: according to teachers, both Pycnogenol and methylphenidate significantly improved total ADHD symptoms and hyperactivity/impulsivity compared with placebo after 10 weeks. Methylphenidate also significantly improved inattention. Pycnogenol’s effects took longer to appear: methylphenidate showed effects by week 5, while the significant Pycnogenol findings appeared at week 10.
Who Is Most Likely to Benefit, and Doses
Based on the research we currently have, Pycnogenol may be worth looking into if:
- You have a child with ADHD where hyperactivity or impulsivity are major symptoms
- You want to explore an adjunct alongside established ADHD treatment
- Medication side effects are creating problems and you’re discussing other options with your child’s medical provider
Regarding adverse effects, in the 2022 study, adverse effects were reported about five times more frequently with methylphenidate than Pycnogenol. If your child does not tolerate stimulants well, pine bark extract may be beneficial – especially if they are more hyperactive over inattentive. Many herbal ADHD supplements mainly benefit the inattentive symptoms, which makes this extra exciting.
Doses studied: the 2006 pediatric trial used 1 mg/kg/day. The 2022 pediatric trial used 20 mg/day for children under 30 kg and 40 mg/day for children 30 kg or above. The Hsu pine-bark-extract study used 25 or 50 mg/day depending on body weight.
As always, discuss supplements with your physician before using them, particularly in children or alongside ADHD medication, since supplements can still cause side effects or interact with other treatments.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially for children.
