The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman

How ADHD Medications Affect Fat Burning, Insulin & Brain Health

Jan 31, 2025

Delve into the metabolic effects of ADHD medications and their dual role in enhancing focus and altering appetite. Stimulants like Adderall can boost dopamine but may lead to binge eating once they wear off. Non-stimulant options behave differently, with some medications improving insulin sensitivity while others risk weight gain. Explore ADHD's potential metabolic roots and how modern diets may exacerbate symptoms. Discover the promise of ketones as an alternative brain fuel, offering a new pathway to stabilize brain function.

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INSIGHT

ADHD Prevalence and Medication

ADHD affects 5-10% of kids and about half that percentage of adults worldwide.
This leads to widespread use of stimulant and non-stimulant medications.

INSIGHT

Stimulant Effects

Stimulant ADHD medications increase dopamine and norepinephrine, improving focus but suppressing appetite.
This can cause weight loss but may also trigger binge eating, especially when the medication wears off.

ANECDOTE

Stimulants and Eating Disorders

Two young patients with ADHD and ARFID experienced exacerbated restrictive eating due to stimulant medication.
This led to significant growth restrictions and hospitalization, highlighting the potential risks of appetite suppression.

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In this week’s episode of the Metabolic Classroom lectures, Dr. Ben Bikman explores the metabolic impact of ADHD medications and whether ADHD itself has metabolic roots.

Ben explains how stimulant medications (like Adderall and Ritalin) primarily work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine, enhancing focus but also suppressing appetite and stimulating fat breakdown. This can lead to weight loss but may also contribute to binge eating episodes when the medication wears off. Non-stimulant ADHD medications (like Atomoxetine and Guanfacine) affect metabolism in different ways—some subtly improve insulin sensitivity, while others reduce fat breakdown, potentially leading to weight gain.

Beyond medication, Dr. Bikman discusses ADHD as a possible metabolic disorder. Studies show that individuals with ADHD often have reduced glucose metabolism in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for attention and impulse control. He highlights research linking chronic sugar consumption to dopamine imbalances and brain energy instability, suggesting that modern dietary habits may be worsening ADHD symptoms.

One potential solution? Ketones as an alternative brain fuel. Dr. Bikman shares research on the ketogenic diet as a therapy for ADHD, similar to its use in epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. By shifting the brain’s energy source from glucose to ketones, individuals may experience more stable brain function and improved focus. He concludes that ADHD may not just be a neurological condition—it could also be a metabolic issue, and targeting brain metabolism may offer new treatment possibilities.

Show Notes/References:

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