If caffeinated drinks like coffee are meant to give you boosts of energy then why is it recommended for kids with ADHD to calm them down?
In: Biology
ADHD is caused by *underactivity* in the frontal lobe of the brain – the part responsible for organization and impulse control (think of it as “the brain’s secretary and the brain’s breaks). The reason kids with ADHD are hyperactive is because that front part of the brain is underactive – the hyperactivity is because their brain is not active enough to stop them from moving and fidgeting, *not* because their brain is overactive. Stimulants (like caffeine)* increase activity in these areas, which lets them control their impulses better and results in them being “calmer.”
Source: I’m a clinical psychology professor who specializes in studying ADHD.
*Caffeine is actually not recommended for ADHD though, because it is more of a central nervous system stimulant. Stimulant medications like Adderall or Ritalin/Concerta specifically target the front part of the brain, which is why they are used for ADHD.
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