Attention, Please - What ADHD Can Teach Us About the Brain

What does ADHD actually feel like? Is it really a deficit, or could it be a difference? And how does social media and modern life play into attention struggles? In this episode of Science Savvy, I sit down with my brother Alex, who has ADHD, to explore these questions and more. Together, we dive into the science behind ADHD, including how neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine shape attention, and we discuss coping mechanisms, the role of medication, and even some surprising ADHD superpowers like hyperfocus and creativity. This episode is personal, insightful, and packed with practical tips. Join us for a candid sibling chat that breaks down the myths and empowers you to see ADHD in a whole new light.

 

Further reading / references:

Mindfulness-based interventions in ADHD: Lee, Y. C., et al. (2022). Effects of mindfulness-based interventions in children and adolescents with ADHD: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 15198. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215198

van der Oord, S., Bögels, S. M., & Peijnenburg, D. (2012). The effectiveness of mindfulness training for children with ADHD and mindful parenting for their parents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21(1), 139-147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-011-9457-0

Norepinephrine and ADHD: Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). The emerging neurobiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: The key role of the prefrontal association cortex. The Journal of Pediatrics, 154(5), I-S43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.01.018

Dopaminergic System in ADHD: Volkow, N. D., & Swanson, J. M. (2013). Clinical practice: Adult attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. The New England Journal of Medicine, 369(20), 1935-1944. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp1212625

Pharmacology of ADHD Medications: Faraone, S. V., Biederman, J., & Mick, E. (2006). The age-dependent decline of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analysis of follow-up studies. Psychological Medicine, 36(2), 159-165. https://doi.org/10.1017/S003329170500471X

Swanson, J. M., & Volkow, N. D. (2002). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of medications for ADHD: A review of stimulant and nonstimulant formulations. Molecular Psychiatry, 8(7), 252-264. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4001326

Keng, S. L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041-1056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006

ADHD and Entrepreneurship: Wiklund, J., Yu, W., Tucker, R., & Marino, L. D. (2017). ADHD, impulsivity, and entrepreneurship. Journal of Business Venturing, 32(6), 627-656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2017.07.002

White, H. A., & Shah, P. (2011). Creative style and achievement in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(5), 673-677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2010.12.015

Neurodiversity Perspective of ADHD: Armstrong, T. (2010). The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain. Da Capo Press.

Hyperfocus and ADHD: Ashinoff, B. K., & Abu-Akel, A. (2021). Hyperfocus: The forgotten frontier of attention. Psychological Research, 85, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-020-01420-w