eli5 Why do stimulants calm and bring focus to people with ADHD?
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People with ADHD have deficient levels of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are nueromodulators of various systems in the brain. If the brain doesn’t have enough, it can’t properly regulate those systems.
The brain is trying to send signals to conduct and orchestrate things in an organized manner but lacks the substance it needs to do it, so those systems get all out of sync.
All the classic hyperactive behaviors are the brains attempt at trying to self medicate by seeking out hits of dopamine. What’s this? what’s that? Jump, run, do something exciting! Give me those sweet drugs!
This is an excellent long form podcast about ADHD and common stimulants.
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