how do stimulant medications help people with hyperactive ADHD?

Question

I understand the energy of stimulant medications may help *inattentive type* ADHD people to focus: but how would they help someone who is already *hyperactive*?

It sounds counter-intuitive : ELI5?

In: 8

Answer 1

Fabulous question! We all find a certain level of stimulation rewarding, and in its absence, we experience boredom, which propels us to seek stimulation. That sensation of reward from stimulation comes from the reward circuit in the brain, which is activated by dopamine. Kids with ADHD have to work extra hard to switch their reward circuit on, and their hyperactivity is usually in pursuit of novel stimulation. If we give stimulants, it provides dopamine, which makes it easier to activate the reward circuit, so the novelty seeking behaviour, including hyperactivity, calms down.