Meditation and Attentional Blinks

Regardless of age or cognitive abilities, practicing meditation for 17 minutes can rewire the brain to enhance attention and potentially counter age-related attentional drift. Engaging in panoramic vision, or open monitoring, can also improve the brain's ability to process information quickly. These techniques of meditation and open monitoring serve as powerful tools to rewire attentional circuitry and can be effective with just one session.

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Maddison Kennedy

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In this episode, I discuss ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): what it is, the common myths, and the biology and psychology of ADHD.

I discuss both behavioral and pharmacologic treatments for ADHD, and brain-machine interface tools. I also discuss behavioral training protocols that can improve focus in people with ADHD and those without ADHD, and for people of different ages. I discuss the role of dopamine in coordinating 'default-mode' and 'task-related' neural networks, attentional "blinks" (lapses of attention) and how to overcome them, and the role of actual blinks in time perception and attention. Finally, I review some of the prescription and over-the-counter compounds for increasing focus such as Adderall, Ritalin, Modafinil and Armodafinil, the racetams, Alpha-GPC and phosphatidylserine and the role of diet for managing ADHD (and the controversies of diet for ADHD).

The role of cell phones/technology in ADHD and ADHD-like challenges with focus are also discussed. Throughout, both basic science and clinical scenarios, as well as applicable tools and resources are covered.

Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.