1️⃣ ADHD Brains Have Lower Dopamine & Norepinephrine
These chemicals control:
focus, motivation, impulse control, emotional regulation
⚠️ In ADHD, levels are too low, especially in the prefrontal cortex.
This causes:
restlessness, difficulty focusing, task-switching, overwhelm, mental “noise”
2️⃣ Stimulants Boost These Chemicals
Medications like methylphenidate & amphetamines:
increase dopamine/norepinephrine availability, help the prefrontal cortex work efficiently, stabilise the attention system
➡️ With proper levels, the brain stops seeking constant stimulation.
3️⃣ They Improve Executive Function
Stimulants support the brain’s “control centre”:
✔️ clearer thinking
✔️ smoother task-starting
✔️ better focus control
✔️ reduced impulsivity
✔️ improved decision-making
It’s like turning the lights back on in the control room.
4️⃣ Hyperactivity Is Often Internal
ADHD restlessness isn’t always physical.
It can be:
racing thoughts, inner noise, emotional intenseness, rapid task-switching
Stimulants quiet the internal storm, leading to calm.
5️⃣ They Normalise the Brain (Not Overstimulate It)
In ADHD brains, stimulants fill a deficit, so they produce:
calm, clarity, steadiness
In non-ADHD brains, they may cause:
jitters, anxiety, overactivation
Different chemistry → different effect.
6️⃣ They Help Shift to the “Task” Network
ADHD brains get stuck in the Default Mode Network (daydreaming, distraction).
Stimulants allow a smoother shift to the Task Positive Network (focus, action).
➡️ Result: more control, less chaos.
⭐ In Summary
Stimulants calm an ADHD brain because they:
- raise low dopamine/norepinephrine
- strengthen executive function
- reduce internal noise
- help the brain choose what to focus on
- stop the constant search for stimulation
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