Huberman Lab

Adderall, Stimulants & Modafinil for ADHD: Short- & Long-Term Effects

May 29, 2023

Discover the inner workings of ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin, and how they enhance focus by regulating brain circuits for dopamine and norepinephrine. Learn about their varying efficacy and the individual sensitivity to dosages. Delve into long-term effects on health and growth, along with the potential risks of recreational use. This engaging discussion offers insights for anyone affected by ADHD or interested in the implications of stimulant use.

01:58:02

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Quick takeaways

ADHD stimulant treatments, such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Vivance, work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine to improve focus and reduce impulsivity.

Finding the right drug and dosage for treating ADHD requires individual assessment and consultation with a qualified psychiatrist.

ADHD medications enhance the coordination and communication between brain networks involved in attention and focus.

Neuroplasticity plays a key role in the effectiveness of ADHD medications, promoting long-term improvements in focus-related brain networks.

Properly prescribed ADHD medications have long-term positive effects, improving performance in school and reducing the risk of illicit drug use in adulthood.

Deep dives

ADHD stimulant treatment: Improving symptoms and understanding the drugs

ADHD stimulant treatments, such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Vivance, are widely used to improve symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. These drugs work by increasing the activity of dopamine and norepinephrine, which play key roles in attention, focus, and motivation. By increasing these neurotransmitters, the drugs help reduce the background noise in the brain and enhance the signals related to tasks that require attention. The effectiveness of the drugs depends on finding the right dosage and timing for each individual. It is important to note that ADHD is a complex condition with variations in symptomology, and treatment requires careful assessment and consultation with a qualified psychiatrist.

ADHD and the Prefrontal Cortex: salience or spotlight of attention

00:43

Dopamine and NorEpinephrine responsibility

01:20

Why Stimulants Calm Kids Down

00:54

The Importance of Treating ADHD in Childhood to Prevent Future Drug Use

00:45

Intro

8min

Understanding Attention and the Role of Stimulants in ADHD Treatment

13min

Understanding Adderall: Mechanisms and Neurochemical Effects

9min

Understanding ADHD Medications: Mechanisms, Effects, and Treatment Considerations

1h 32min

In this episode, I explain how medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse and other stimulants work to increase focus and treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I explain the brain circuits involved in focus and the key roles dopamine and norepinephrine play in their regulation. Then I explain how stimulants such as Adderall and Vyvanse can increase focus and reduce hyperactivity in kids or adults with ADHD, and how and why Ritalin and other medications (e.g., Modafinil, Guanfacine) may work better for some. I explain the long-term effects of ADHD medications on height, cardiovascular health, hormones, predisposition to addiction and psychosis, and whether these treatments can be used and then stopped. I also discuss the immense individual variation in dosage sensitivity for these medications and the negative side-effects that occur from recreational use. This episode ought to benefit anyone with ADHD, their parents, those on ADHD medications or anyone curious about how these medications work.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

(00:00:00) Stimulants & Attention-Deficient/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

(00:03:38) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up

(00:06:35) The Brain-Body Contract

(00:07:22) Attention, Prefrontal Cortex & ADHD

(00:16:27) Stimulants “Sympathomimetics”

(00:21:29) Adderall, Dopamine & Norepinephrine

(00:25:58) Sympathomimetics, Dopamine & Norepinephrine

(00:27:21) Sponsor: AG1

(00:32:20) Vyvanse is Timed-Release D-Amp

(00:36:36) Ritalin, Concerta

(00:40:10) Dopamine & “Noise Reduction”; Norepinephrine & “Signal Amplification”

(00:45:28) ADHD: Focus, Hyperactivity & Impulsivity; Drug Selection & Dose

(00:50:57) How do Stimulants ‘Calm’ ADHD?

(00:54:480 Neuroplasticity & Neuromodulators

(00:58:06) Kids, ADHD Diagnosis & Treatment; Predispose Addiction?

(01:05:12) ADHD Medications: Individuality, Doses, Tapering & Long-Term Use

(01:13:28) Medication & Long-Term Effects: Height, Cardiovascular Risk, Alcohol

(01:19:32) Cortisol & Hormones

(01:27:45) Psychosis & Addiction; Methamphetamine

(01:38:20) Recreational Use, Addiction & Psychosis; Habituation

(01:42:30) Drug Holidays; Ritalin & Long-Term Effects

(01:45:35) Modafinil, Armodafinil; Side-Effects

(01:53:03) Guanfacine, Alcohol

(01:58:03) ADHD Medications

(02:00:26) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

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Huberman Lab

Adderall, Stimulants & Modafinil for ADHD: Short- & Long-Term Effects

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

ADHD stimulant treatment: Improving symptoms and understanding the drugs

Different types of ADHD drugs and their mechanisms

Understanding ADHD and the brain networks involved in attention

Effective and individualized treatment for ADHD

The Role of Neuroplasticity in Treating ADHD

Long-Term Benefits of ADHD Medication

Considerations for ADHD Medication Dosage and Long-Term Use

Cortisol and its role

ADHD medication and its effects

ADHD and the Prefrontal Cortex: salience or spotlight of attention

Dopamine and NorEpinephrine responsibility

Why Stimulants Calm Kids Down

The Importance of Treating ADHD in Childhood to Prevent Future Drug Use

Thank you to our sponsors

Timestamps

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts