Why ADHD Brains Jump Around

Our ability to concentrate comes down largely to our supply of the “feel good hormone” dopamine in the brain, says psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen.

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He uses specialized imaging to show patients how the workings of their brains—including blood flow to different areas—affect their mental health.

“When you don’t have enough dopamine, when you try to concentrate, your brain drops in activity—the harder you try, the worse it gets,” says Amen.

“And we all have only so much store of dopamine available. People who have ADHD actually have less, and so you find that they’re always doing things to try to increase their own dopamine,” he adds.

How might having too low dopamine influence the behavior of those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? How might dopamine-seeking lead to more problems?

Medication can improve ADHD in some cases, but if wrongly prescribed, it can make things worse, says Amen, citing his daughter as an example. “She had the hyperactive form and the medicine was a godsend for her, but if I increased it too much, I could just see it flatten her personality.”

Many ADHD medications, such as Adderall, increase the availability of dopamine much the same way that video games, social media, and drugs do, says Amen.

What behaviors can naturally balance dopamine levels to improve ADHD? Which supplements and in what amounts can help boost mental focus?

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Related/Referenced studies/reports:

The Truth About ADHD and Addiction
https://www.additudemag.com/the-truth-about-adhd-and-addiction/

Restricted diets can help children with ADHD, study suggests
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/feb/04/adhd-diet-food-children-behaviour

Media and Young Minds | Pediatrics
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2591

Effectivity of Saffron Extract (Saffr’Activ) on Treatment for Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Clinical Effectivity Study – PubMed
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212958822000027

Preliminary evidence differentiating ADHD using brain SPECT imaging in older patients – PubMed
​​https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18720662/

Patterns of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow as a Function of Age Throughout the Lifespan – PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30103336/

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Vital Signs’ host, guests, and contributors offer general information on improving health and wellness. This is not intended as diagnosis or medical advice. You should consult your medical doctor or holistic doctor before enacting any suggested strategies for health and wellness improvement, including those in relation to preventing or treating specific diseases featured on this program.

Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.