Parents, Kids, & Teenagers

Study Drugs? How EFT Can Help You Focus Better Than Any Pill

Written by: Nick Ortner

Study Drugs - EFT TappingDo you ever struggle to focus? If you’re like most people in our fast-paced world, you probably do.

Apparently, people in classrooms and office buildings across the country have been taking more and more “study drugs” as a way to stay awake, alert, and focused for hours at a time, allowing them to better tackle whatever task they have at hand.

Is it just me, or does that sound a little scary?

Thankfully, I’m not the only one who’s concerned. In fact, the situation has become so widespread that the American Association of Neurologists released a stern warning against this disturbing trend.

What’s going on? What are these study drugs anyway and why are so many people using them?

The Stress of Getting It All Done

So here’s the thing – you probably already know what these study drugs are. Once I did a little digging, I realized that I also knew exactly what they were:

Vyvanse, Concerta, Ritalin, Adderall… Do any of these ring a bell?

The correct term for these medications is “cognitive function drugs”, and they’re typically prescribed to people with mental conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, more commonly known as ADHD. They’re legitimate medications for people who need help, and maybe you or a loved one might even have a prescription.

The problem is that so many people without a disorder of any kind are now regularly using these drugs.

Some fake the necessary symptoms to gain a prescription from their doctor, while others acquire them illegally.

They’re everywhere these days and may have even become the norm in many sports as well. In a recent interview, the cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, Richard Sherman, made the startling claim that “about half of the [NFL] league” takes Adderall to improve their performance on the field!

There are numerous reasons why this is such a big concern. For one thing, these drugs can have very negative side effects such as insomnia, sudden increases in blood pressure, and even heart attacks and strokes. As if those risks weren’t enough, study drugs can also be highly addictive.

With everyone from students to professional athletes now using these drugs just to function, it’s clear that most of us are not adequately dealing with the stress of everyday life.

Our tasks, goals, benchmarks, and deadlines are meant to be challenges, not insurmountable hurdles that require medical assistance for us to be able to tackle them. If that’s how they appear, then we need to take a different approach.

There are many natural techniques that help the average person find the concentration levels that they’re so desperately in search of. EFT Tapping is one of them, and in my opinion, it’s the best alternative of them all to these dreadful study drugs.

Why EFT Tapping Can Be an Effective Replacement for Study Drugs

The effect that most study drug users chase after is “the zone.” It’s the feeling of completely tuning into whatever it is they’re choosing to focus on. Once they’ve swallowed that pill, distractions fall by the wayside and they can get the job done.

But what are these distractions exactly, and why are they so all-consuming that people with no legitimate medical need think they require pills to block them out? That’s a question that can be addressed through Emotional Freedom Techniques. And once the answers are revealed and dealt with, it’s easy to tune them out when we need to.

So often, our limits to performance are anchored in our emotions. What if we don’t succeed? What will become of us? That pressure can be enormous.

Furthermore, our distractions sometimes have nothing to do with what we’re working on at all. We can become so preoccupied with stress at home or even in the larger world, that it has a terrible effect on our productivity.

EFT Tapping is first and foremost a stress relief tool that allows us to address troublesome emotions that are making our lives difficult.

By physically tapping on the body’s meridian energy points as we carry out the kind of keen personal inquiry typically found in psychotherapy, we can release these troublesome emotions that may have been holding us back, possibly making us ill, and yes, even making it difficult for us to focus and perform.

Simply put, with EFT Tapping one can eliminate the perceived need for study drugs altogether.

If you haven’t tried tapping before, take a look at this short video to learn the technique. Within minutes you will be able to deal with much of the stress that you encounter every day.

Ending a Potential Epidemic

It’s scary to think of a future where everyone in our society requires medication just to get through the day. Sadly, that’s not as unrealistic as it may sound. Recent statistics show that Americans are abusing prescription medications more than they are illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.

Study drugs make up a large chunk of these “legal” drugs.

Perhaps the scariest part is that many of those using these drugs are our very own children. What does it say when dangerous drugs are becoming an increasingly acceptable way to move forward on the path to success?

Tapping gives us a reliable, simple, and free way to address whatever anxieties, doubts, and daily distractions may be getting in the way of what we’ve set out to do. And with so many youngsters growing up with mobile devices, we’re going where they are with The Tapping Solution App.

It’s worth it to give it a try, not just to shake a steady diet of study drugs, but also to cope with whatever pressures and stresses you’re facing. By learning how to tap, you can achieve everything you’ve set out to accomplish, and in the process, help us move toward a healthier country. Let’s leave the medication for those who truly need it!

How to Tap to Focus Better…

OK, so are you ready to do some Tapping? Before we start, take a deep breath in… and then out. I always find that starting with a deep breath helps to get my energy flowing and opens up my mind to better find what to tap on.

Calibration: On a scale of 0-10, how much do you feel that you are struggling to focus right now (0 being not at all, and 10 being you’re really struggling to focus)

We’ll start off with a very general round of tapping, and then get into more specfics. (If you don’t know how to do the actual tapping, click here to learn how to tap)

ROUND ONE – General Tapping

Starting on the Karate Chop Point: “Even though I can’t focus, I accept myself anyway”
Again on the Karate Chop Point: “Even though I just can’t seem to focus, I accept myself anyway”
One last time on the Karate Chop Point: “Even though I really want to focus, but I just can’t seem to, I accept myself anyway”

Now we’ll go through all the points:

Eyebrow Point: “I can’t focus”
Side of the Eye: “I just can’t seem to focus”
Under the Eye: “I really want to focus”
Under the Nose: “But I just can’t seem to focus”
Chin Point: “I’m struggling to focus”
Collarbone Point: “I need to get things done”
Under the Arm: “I need to focus, but I just can’t seem to focus”
Top of the Head: “I can’t focus, but I accept myself anyway”

And now take a deep breath again.

Go ahead and calibrate again. On a scale of 0-10, how much do you feel that you are struggling to focus right now? Don’t worry if it’s close to the same, as we’re just getting started.

That was just a general round. Let’s get to tapping on some more specifics for you.

ROUND TWO – What are you distracted by?

When you think about focusing, what do you think might be getting in your way?

Is there something else in your life that is running in your mind that is taking away your focus? Are you worried about your finances? Or struggling with a relationship? Has something happened today that you’re upset about? Has anything happened recently that has changed your stress level, either up or down?

Fill in this sentence: I’m struggling to focus because in the back of my mind, I’m distracted by _____________.

OK, let’s do some tapping…

Starting on the Karate Chop Point: “Even though I’m struggling to focus because I’m distracted by _______________, I accept myself anyway.” (If you can’t think of anything just say “…because I’m distracted by something, and I can’t figure out what it is…”
Again on the Karate Chop Point: “Even though I just can’t seem to focus because in the back of my mind I’m thinking about ______________, I accept myself anyway”
One last time on the Karate Chop Point: “Even though I really want to focus, but I just can’t seem to because I’m distracted by __________________, I accept myself anyway”

Now we’ll go through all the points:

Eyebrow Point: “I’m distracted by _______________”
Side of the Eye: “I just can’t seem to focus”
Under the Eye: “I really want to focus”
Under the Nose: “But I just can’t seem to focus because I’m distracted by ________________”
Chin Point: “I’m struggling to focus”
Collarbone Point: “I need to get things done”
Under the Arm: “I need to focus, but I just can’t seem to focus because I’m distracted by _________________”
Top of the Head: “Even though I can’t focus because I’m distracted by ___________________, I accept myself anyway”

Back to the Eyebrow Point: “I’m struggling to focus because I’m distracted by ________________.
Side of the Eye: “What if I let this distraction go?”
Under the Eye: “What if I allowed this distraction to go away for a little while, so I can focus?”
Under the Nose: “What if I allowed myself to focus for a little while?”
Chin Point: “I’m struggling to focus because I’m distracted by _____________, but I accept myself anyway”
Collarbone Point: “I’m really distracted by _____________ in the back of my mind, but I don’t have to be”
Under the Arm: “I can allow the noise of the distraction to quiet down for a little while, and allow myself to focus”
Top of the Head: “I can allow the distraction to quiet down for a little while, and allow myself to focus”

Go ahead and calibrate again. On a scale of 0-10, how much do you feel that you are struggling to focus right now?

Now at this point, depending on what has come up for you, you have the choice to continue tapping on the distraction that has come up, or you can move on. If things came up as you were tapping, I suggest continuing tapping on that to resolve it, if it’s something you can address.

If you have something big that has come up that needs a lot of attention, and you’re at the office with other people around you, it may not be the best time. That’s when it’s best to tap to allow the distraction to quiet down for now, to allow you to focus. If you have the time and space to tap on what has come up, then feel free to do that.

ROUND THREE – What if I can’t focus and complete the tasks? And what if I do?

Very often the stress of having to get certain things done prevents us from focusing. When we’re too tied to a certain outcome or result, it can inhibit our ability to focus and achieve what we want to get done.

So let’s ask ourselves some important questions: If I’m not able to focus and get this done, what will happen? How will I feel? Am I concerned about what somebody will think of me if I don’t get this done? If so, who is that and what am I worried they think or say about me? How will I feel towards myself? What emotions come up when you think about not being able to focus and not accomplishing what you need to get done?

So fill in the blank with what you think might happen: “If I’m not able to focus and get this done, ____________________”

And then let’s think about the flip side. If you are able to focus and get the task done that you’re wanting to focus on, what will happen? Is there any downside to completing the task? What is the upside to completing it? How will you feel about yourself? Is there anybody that will be happy that you were able to focus and is there anybody that will be upset?

So fill in the blank with what you think might happen if you do get it done: “If I am able to focus and get this done, _____________________”

OK, let’s get to some tapping… 🙂 I asked a number of questions above that can bring up things to tap on. Find what is best for you to tap on. If you’re most concerned about what somebody will think of you, tap on that. Stressed about getting things done? Tap on that. Listen to your body when you answer the above questions and tap on the issue that is strongest for you.

For the purposes of this tapping, I’m going to focus on general stress and anxiety about focusing and getting the task or tasks done.

Starting on the Karate Chop Point: “Even though I feel stressed and anxious about focusing and getting this done, I accept myself anyway” (feel free to replace with any other emotions that have come up for you)
Again on the Karate Chop Point: “Even though I just can’t seem to focus, and I’m stressed and anxious about getting this done, I accept myself anyway”
One last time on the Karate Chop Point: “Even though I really want to focus, but I just can’t seem to because I’m stressed and feel anxious about getting this done, I accept myself anyway”

Now we’ll go through all the points:

Eyebrow Point: “I’m really stressed about getting this done”
Side of the Eye: “I’m worried about not getting this done in time”
Under the Eye: “I’m stressed about there being so much to do”
Under the Nose: “What if I don’t get this done?”
Chin Point: “I have to get this done”
Collarbone Point: “But I’m just so stressed about getting this done”
Under the Arm: “I feel so stressed about getting a lot of things done!”
Top of the Head: “Even though I’m stressed about getting this done, I accept myself anyway”

Back to the Eyebrow Point: “Maybe I can take it one step at a time”
Side of the Eye: “What if I let some of this stress go?”
Under the Eye: “What if I allowed this stress to go away for a little while, so I can focus?”
Under the Nose: “What would happen if I actually was able to focus and get this done?”
Chin Point: “Even if I’m not able to focus and get this done, I accept myself anyway”
Collarbone Point: “What if I just did my best and allowed the stress and anxiety to go away?”
Under the Arm: “I can allow the stress and anxiety to quiet down for a little while, and allow myself to focus”
Top of the Head: “I can allow the stress to release from my body, and allow myself to focus”

Go ahead and calibrate again. On a scale of 0-10, how much do you feel that you are struggling to focus right now?

Those were just three quick rounds to get you going. Continue tapping as you feel the need for things that came up for you.

And remember, you don’t need “study drugs” or anything else to help you focus. All you need when your struggling to focus is take a few minutes to find what’s blocking you and tap to let it go. 🙂

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner


What came up for you as you were doing the tapping? Do you struggle with focusing? And if so, what do you think is getting in your way? Leave me your comments below.



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27 Comments on this post

  1. Cheryl Bielich says:

    I have been a follower since the founder Gary Craig started this. I like how you’ve taken this and make it easier to use. I have all of Gary Craig’s work and it was over whelming to use. Tho you took his work and hold people’s hands and walk them through it. Thank you for taking the flower and making it bloom

    • Nick Ortner says:

      Thank you for the encouragement, Cheryl! Our goal is to continue what others have started by sharing the knowledge of Tapping and making it more available to everyone around the world. 🙂

  2. Mayflower says:

    Hi Nick,

    I understand your concern about people who abuse these “study” meds from general lifestyle distractions, lack of focus etc. But what about people who does actually does suffer Adult ADHD, where there is there is dopamine deficiency & problems with executive function in prefrontal cortex? Does this generic “focus” tapping for ADHD? I have seen lots of videos of EFT for procrastination,focus problems etc but if the source is not from a biological/chemical imbalance lack ADHD, does it still work? kind thanks, M

    • Nick Ortner says:

      Hi Mayflower! I can totally understand where you’re coming from. One question I usually like to ask is what causes biological/chemical imbalances in the first place? Modern medicine still has no answer for that. I feel that our thoughts and emotions greatly affect our biology. That’s why Tapping can be so effective, even when it comes to physical or biological issues within our bodies. 🙂

  3. kneel says:

    Tapping has really made a positive impact on the group of 12 prisoners that I have been working with weekly at a local Adult Detention Center – in the Substance Abuse Block. We have gotten to a point where individuals will feel comfortable to tap on their issues with the entire group repeating the script out loud – that the individual is working on.
    We usually begin with some breathing exercises and a Coherence technique from HeartMath. These tools are impacting their healing process, so thank you Nick and all of the Tapping Solution family – for the work you are so generously sharing!
    Gratefully,
    kneel

    • Nick Ortner says:

      That is so wonderful to hear, Kneel. And thank YOU for your dedication to helping those who wish to better themselves. 🙂

  4. Yifat says:

    Hi,

    It’s really great.
    What do you suggest to say with kids who doesn’t want to say or don’t know what’s disstrapring them.
    There are also additional issues outcome of ADHD such as:
    Impulsive behavior, teasing, low self esteem.
    Can you please address these simptoms?

    • Nick Ortner says:

      Hi Yifat. With kids who don’t want to say anything, they can simply tune into their body and what they are feeling that is stressing them out and tap through the points and breathe to see if they feel a shift. For those who aren’t sure what to say, talking out the issue and telling their story, as if to their best friend, while tapping through the points can help. The script that was shared in the blog post was a general script for where to start when dealing with focus. People may want to start with that and use their own words as other issues or thoughts come up. We encourage you to make the tapping your own. Also, here is a link to the surrogate tapping audio if you are trying to tap for some who aren’t quite ready to tap yet: https://www.thetappingsolution.com/blog/surrogate/. We hope that helps! 🙂

  5. jackie says:

    Thank you!!!

  6. Karen Procter says:

    I’ve been using EFT for several years and occasionally after a particularly rewarding session, I notice my cheeks are rosier and my circulation has improved from releasing all the layers of tensions I had been carrying around related to a given issue. Tapping is good stuff for whatever you want to accomplish.

  7. m.s. says:

    how do we know it’s not a placebo??? did this exercise and was still unable to focus on my uni work!

  8. Hilda says:

    Incredible, we can do more that we can believe, thanks so much for sharing.

  9. Elizabeth says:

    Right now in this nation the pharmaceutical companies along with the cooperation of doctors have turned us all
    Into patients and drug dependent people . At 45 I was diagnoses with severe ADHD and told firmly in order to know what it’s like to feel normal I should take adderol after about a month a friend told me his wife was in rehab
    For adderol addition . I told him I was only taking it short term and he said that’s what his wife said. Needless to say I stopped immediately I never felt normal I felt like I was drugged and my husband was relieved. I have suffered my whole life being distracted but the up side is I was more alive and aware and had elevated appreciation for everything. Adderol dulled my sences and did not feel things anymore. I started tapping about a month ago and noticed my ability to focus increased about 50 % without even trying. I think clearing out garble in
    My head just allowed my brain to fiile stuff away so I could better access what I needed. I believe ADHD is a label
    Like so many others that are used to sell drugs I almost became a victim . like so many other people I am a product
    Of prolonged childhood trauma and drama. Once some of those old suppressed feelings and the reactions to them were cleared and sorted I started to function on a different level. Nick orater and tapping are the best thing
    That has ever happened to me . In the month since I learned to tap I have introduced every person I can think of
    I even held a dinner party of 10 people and did a tapping session. Everybody loved it. I can’t thank you enough
    For setting me free emotionally. Now I can think and feel without the use of dangerous addictive drugs. I tell everybody they need to help spread the word and help other people as I have helped them maybe this is the beginning ( I hope) of humanity freeing itself from the shakels of a drug induced existence. I am sending all my love and support to you your sister and the whole team of people helping to facilitate your success in making an epidemic of tappers not druggies

  10. willie Rock says:

    I am stressed cause I have 1000 things that i have been stuffing down and through your options of looking at it from many angles I realize somewhere inside I feel the need to have 1ooo thing to do and somehow I have linked my living and surviving with the 1000 things not done is the way living should be! and my body needs that drama. That
    is what you showed me Thank you..and then I used access consiousness to clear the rest. It works well for me this,tandem style

  11. Suzanne Coulliette says:

    You can condense this process after you have figured out more specifically what distracts you. This is a general tapping that is for first timers or first time for this topic. After you have tapped this a couple of times it probably wouldn’t take more than five minutes to do any time you needed it. Just from my experience.

  12. Morgan McGregor says:

    My husband is a “tapper,” but I only use the technique when I’m in serious overwhelm, and he coaches me through it. I so appreciated your including the steps so I could revisit on my own. Apropos of your suggestion this week (last week?), I’m also checking out the binaural beat technology, and am hoping it will serve as a good tool for dealing with my wily mind.

    Thank you for all the good you do. You make a difference.

  13. Karin says:

    Nick,

    You are Amazing (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:)THANK YOU FOR THIS!!

    I’ve been tapping for many years & have received profound results for myself and others; however, for some reason I’ve not tapped for focus to get things done.

    Since working out of my home, it has been so challenging to get business projects done in a timely manner. Within the past couple minutes YOU HELPED ME take care of those blocks….and I’m awake and focused like a Light Bulb:} I just started following your script, then began following my own internal prompts – I call it ‘tap ‘n pray”….Wow, what results!

    THANKS AGAIN! I will continue to use as needed! Bought your book and am reading it like a cookbook — slowly and thoroughly. What a rich resource…and your love for humanity comes shining through: an additional blessing:)

    Hugs & appreciation,
    Karin

  14. Shirley Fee says:

    Thank you for EFT. I have your book and refer to it daily. It has helped me in so many ways.

  15. Arisana Tolomei says:

    Thank you SO much! I have such a grueling work load for this term in graduate school and have been struggling with focus, energy and wondering how I’ll complete it all. This will be a HUGE support for me!!! Much gratitude to you 🙂

  16. Arlette says:

    Thank you, Nick for your dedication to promoting EFT.

  17. D says:

    Hi Nick!
    I appreciate and am curious about the material you are sharing!
    I am wondering if you might consider including an audio with your articles (of the tapping script), to make it easier for people to try it?
    Thanks and Best Wishes,
    D

  18. kelly says:

    Hi Nick,
    Thank you for all you do. I want to buy your book, I looked at it at Barnes & Nobles. I did not buy it because I could not bring myself to spend the $25.00 on myself. I am a single parent and watch every dollar. I spend when I can on my kids. I know it can help me and my kids and clients. I am struggling with my 10 yr old daughter who has been just diagnosed with ADD. It is severe at this time. I am this am researching at home everything I can find to help her. Diet mod, left/right brain exercise. etc, etc….
    In my research, I clicked on right/left brain info and you popped up with this beautiful tapping dialogue on tapping for “focus”. THANK YOU!! I will use it with her. I tried to use tapping with her on her FCAT testing 3 weeks ago. She got angry with me and did not want to continue. Tapping works. I took your 10 day webinar. It works. I will revisit with my daughter this focus series. I am desperate to help her.
    She is bright, beautiful and struggling in school. I tend to focus all my efforts and money on my kids, instead of me. So… with that said. When I have a little extra, I will get your book. I think you and Jessica are terrific. I am grateful for your work and the free info you have shared with me. It works!! My goal in the future is to get certified with you in tapping, so I may share tapping benefits in my part of the world, use it professionally and help as many people as I can. My purpose on the planet is clear and certain. To be a good mom and to be of service to God’s people.
    Sincerely,
    kelly b.

  19. lisa says:

    A issue that I have shoved back in my mind came up. I tapped on it and let it go. I realized there is nothing I can do about it right now. I am enjoying your book & I will reccomend it to others..Thankyou.

  20. Bill Dean says:

    Very interesting and I can find applications for this.

  21. Vera says:

    Bravo Nick….Thank you for all these practical scripts for tapping and for highlighting how misguided the public is by the other sources of information out there.

    In Gratitude,

    Vera

  22. Susan Luther says:

    Very interesting article and so worrying. The pressures in education,work and life seem to get worse, we human beings have not evolved to deal with them quickly enough, will we ever? EFT is such a terrific daily technique to help us all deal with the stress they bring.

  23. Gavin D. Smith says:

    I bought and Read “The Tapping Solution. Still struggling with several issues.
    However, Just wanted to say thanks for this article today about the “study Drugs”.

    The steps for tapping are very clear here, and i think worthwhile trying.

    Attention deficit is a very real problem for both children and adults.

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