Huberman Lab

Podcast Notes Key Takeaways

• Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is now called Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when it became clear there was a hyperactive component
• Despite the stereotype, people with ADHD can be hyper-focused but only focus attention on things of interest
• Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that underlies enjoyment and curiosity – most ADHD pharmaceuticals are stimulants with a play on the dopamine system
• There’s a fine line between street drugs and therapeutics for ADHD: Ritalin is closely related to speed; Adderall closely resembles methamphetamine
• Non-pharmaceutical and behavioral treatments for ADHD may be used in combination with pharmaceuticals with the potential to wean off as possible
• While research for elimination diets has been controversial as a treatment for ADHD, it seems like avoiding simple sugars and exploring allergies to make informed food choices is worthwhile
• Newer studies point to the idea that smartphone use is inducing ADHD in adolescence if used more than 60 minutes per day, and approximately 120 minutes per day in adults

Read the full notes @ podcastnotes.org

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.

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Roka - https://www.roka.com -- code "huberman"
• Belcampo - https://www.belcampo.com/huberman
• Helix Sleep - https://www.helixsleep.com/huberman

 

Our Patreon page:

• https://www.patreon.com/andrewhuberman

 

Supplements from Thorne:

• http://www.thorne.com/u/huberman

 

Support Research in the Huberman Lab at Stanford:

• https://hubermanlab.stanford.edu/giving

 

Social:

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/hubermanlab
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab
• Website - https://hubermanlab.com
• Email Newsletter - https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network

 

Links:

• Review of Compounds for ADHD, Smart Drugs & Focus - https://www.fbscience.com/Landmark/articles/10.52586/4948
• Review of Atypical Compounds for ADHD - https://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2016/1320423/
• Study of Focus Protocol In ADHD & Non-ADHD Children - https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/13/4780

 

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 Introduction & Note About Diagnosis
• 00:03:27 Sponsors 
• 00:07:56 ADHD vs. ADD: Genetics, IQ, Rates in Kids & Adults
• 00:13:00 Attention & Focus, Impulse Control
• 00:14:57 Hyper-focus 
• 00:16:45 Time Perception
• 00:18:25 The Pile System
• 00:20:00 Working Memory
• 00:24:10 Hyper-Focus & Dopamine 
• 00:26:40 Neural Circuits In ADHD: Default Mode Network & Task-Related Networks 
• 00:32:57 Low Dopamine in ADHD & Stimulant Use & Abuse
• 00:37:10 Sugar, Ritalin, Adderall, Modafinil & Armodafinil 
• 00:47:00 Non-Prescribed Adderall, Caffeine, Nicotine
• 00:49:18 How Stimulants “Teach” the Brains of ADHD Children to Focus
• 00:52:00 When To Medicate: A Highly Informed (Anecdotal) Case Study
• 00:56:35 Elimination Diets & Allergies In ADHD
• 01:04:46 Omega-3 Fatty Acids: EPAs & DHAs 
• 01:07:00 Modulation vs Mediation of Biological Processes
• 01:10:50 Attentional Blinks 
• 01:16:56 Open Monitoring & 17minute Focus Enhancement 
• 01:22:50 Blinking, Dopamine & Time Perception; & Focus Training 
• 01:30:10 Reverberatory Neural & Physical Activity
• 01:33:40 Adderall, Ritalin & Blink Frequency
• 01:35:00 Cannabis 
• 01:37:30 Interoceptive Awareness 
• 01:41:15 Ritalin, Adderall, Modafinil, Armodafinil; Smart Drugs & Caffeine: Dangers
• 01:48:05 DHA Fatty Acids, Phosphatidylserine
• 0:1:50:54 Ginko Biloba 
• 01:51:45 Modafinil & Armodafanil: Dopamine Action & Orexin
• 01:56:19 Acetylcholine: Circuits Underlying Focus; Alpha-GPC
• 01:59:04 L-Tyrosine, (PEA) Phenylethylamine 
• 02:01:23 Racetams, Noopept 
• 02:05:15 Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Combining Technology & Pharmacology 
• 02:09:14 Smart Phones & ADHD & Sub-Clinical Focus Issues In Adults & Kids
• 02:14:30 Synthesis/Summary
• 02:16:10 Support for Podcast & Research, Supplement Resources

 

Please note that The Huberman Lab Podcast is distinct from Dr. Huberman's teaching and research roles at Stanford University School of Medicine. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Huberman Lab Podcast, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed.

 

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com