How do ADHD Meds Work?
It does seem counterintuitive, for people with ADHD to take stimulant medications but here's a simple way to understand it:
Imagine your brain is like a busy highway with lots of cars (neurons) trying to get to their destinations (sending messages). In people with ADHD, there's a problem with the traffic signals (neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine) that help the cars move smoothly. These signals aren't working properly, so the cars get stuck or move too slowly.
Stimulant medications work like a traffic controller who steps in to make the signals work better. They increase the levels of these neurotransmitters, helping the cars (neurons) move more efficiently and get to their destinations on time. This helps improve focus, attention, and control over impulses.
So, even though stimulants are "stimulating," they actually help calm the chaos in the brain by making the communication between neurons more effective
How ADHD Medications Work in the Brain
Neurotransmitters:
Dopamine and Norepinephrine:
Stimulant Medications:
Non-Stimulant Medications:
Improved Neurotransmission:
In essence, ADHD medications help the brain send and receive messages more effectively by increasing the levels of key neurotransmitters. This helps alleviate the symptoms of ADHD, such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity1.
Imagine your brain is like a busy highway with lots of cars (neurons) trying to get to their destinations (sending messages). In people with ADHD, there's a problem with the traffic signals (neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine) that help the cars move smoothly. These signals aren't working properly, so the cars get stuck or move too slowly.
Stimulant medications work like a traffic controller who steps in to make the signals work better. They increase the levels of these neurotransmitters, helping the cars (neurons) move more efficiently and get to their destinations on time. This helps improve focus, attention, and control over impulses.
So, even though stimulants are "stimulating," they actually help calm the chaos in the brain by making the communication between neurons more effective
How ADHD Medications Work in the Brain
Neurotransmitters:
- Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain.
- Two key neurotransmitters involved in ADHD are dopamine and norepinephrine.
Dopamine and Norepinephrine:
- ADHD is often linked to lower levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in certain parts of the brain.
- These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in attention, focus, and impulse control.
Stimulant Medications:
- Stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines (Adderall) increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
- They do this by blocking the reuptake of these neurotransmitters, which means they stay in the synapse (the gap between neurons) longer, enhancing their effects.
Non-Stimulant Medications:
- Non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera) work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in the brain.
- They may also affect other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, to help manage ADHD symptoms.
Improved Neurotransmission:
- By increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters, ADHD medications help improve the communication between neurons.
- This leads to better attention, reduced hyperactivity, and improved impulse control.
In essence, ADHD medications help the brain send and receive messages more effectively by increasing the levels of key neurotransmitters. This helps alleviate the symptoms of ADHD, such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity1.