Adderall, Stimulants & Modafinil for ADHD: Short- & Long-Term Effects

In this episode, I explain how medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse and other stimulants work to increase focus and treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I explain the brain circuits involved in focus and the key roles dopamine and norepinephrine play in their regulation. Then I explain how stimulants such as Adderall and Vyvanse can increase focus and reduce hyperactivity in kids or adults with ADHD, and how and why Ritalin and other medications (e.g., Modafinil, Guanfacine) may work better for some. I explain the long-term effects of ADHD medications on height, cardiovascular health, hormones, predisposition to addiction and psychosis, and whether these treatments can be used and then stopped. I also discuss the immense individual variation in dosage sensitivity for these medications and the negative side-effects that occur from recreational use. This episode ought to benefit anyone with ADHD, their parents, those on ADHD medications or anyone curious about how these medications work. #HubermanLab Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman Maui Nui Venison: https://mauinuivenison.com/huberman ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman HVMN: https://hvmn.com/huberman InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman Momentous: https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman The Brain Body Contract https://hubermanlab.com/tour Social & Website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Articles Cardiovascular Effects of ADHD Therapies: JACC Review Topic of the Week: https://bit.ly/3MDbiri Brain alterations in children/adolescents with ADHD revisited: A neuroimaging meta-analysis of 96 structural and functional studies: https://bit.ly/3WDs0ve Impulsivity, Compulsivity, and Top-Down Cognitive Control: https://bit.ly/3MM3uUq Dopaminergic System Dysfunction in Recreational Dexamphetamine Users: https://go.nature.com/3WDM9Bk Modafinil enhances alerting-related brain activity in attention networks: https://bit.ly/3WLwobF Association of Intrinsic Brain Architecture With Changes in Attentional and Mood Symptoms During Development: https://bit.ly/3qhaaCl Cognitive enhancement effects of stimulants: a randomized controlled trial testing methylphenidate, modafinil, and caffeine: https://bit.ly/4270EPr Psychostimulants and Cognition: A Continuum of Behavioral and Cognitive Activation: https://bit.ly/3MHqAv6 Neural Correlates of Symptom Improvement Following Stimulant Treatment in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: https://bit.ly/3ILu2DI Long-term effects of stimulant exposure on cerebral blood flow response to methylphenidate and behavior in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: https://bit.ly/45CQpFu Molecular Characterisation of the Mechanism of Action of Stimulant Drugs Lisdexamfetamine and Methylphenidate on ADHD Neurobiology: A Review: https://bit.ly/45Bsl5J Pharmacologic treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis: https://bit.ly/3J8rEaH Books Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology (4th Edition): https://a.co/d/fJZekoD Other Resources Controlling Your Dopamine For Motivation, Focus & Satisfaction: https://youtu.be/QmOF0crdyRU Leverage Dopamine to Overcome Procrastination & Optimize Effort: https://youtu.be/K-TW2Chpz4k ADHD & How Anyone Can Improve Their Focus: https://youtu.be/hFL6qRIJZ_Y Timestamps 00:00:00 Stimulants & Attention-Deficient/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 00:03:21 Sponsors: Maui Nui, ROKA, HVMN 00:06:35 The Brain-Body Contract 00:07:22 Attention, Prefrontal Cortex & ADHD 00:16:27 Stimulants “Sympathomimetics” 00:21:29 Adderall, Dopamine & Norepinephrine 00:25:58 Sympathomimetics, Dopamine & Norepinephrine 00:31:05 Sponsor: AG1 00:32:20 Vyvanse is Timed-Release D-Amp 00:36:36 Ritalin, Concerta 00:40:10 Dopamine & “Noise Reduction”; Norepinephrine & “Signal Amplification” 00:45:28 ADHD: Focus, Hyperactivity & Impulsivity; Drug Selection & Dose 00:50:57 How do Stimulants ‘Calm’ ADHD? 00:54:48 Neuroplasticity & Neuromodulators 00:58:06 Kids, ADHD Diagnosis & Treatment; Predispose Addiction? 01:04:02 Sponsor: InsideTracker 01:05:12 ADHD Medications: Individuality, Doses, Tapering & Long-Term Use 01:13:28 Medication & Long-Term Effects: Height, Cardiovascular Risk, Alcohol 01:19:32 Cortisol & Hormones 01:27:45 Psychosis & Addiction; Methamphetamine 01:38:20 Recreational Use, Addiction & Psychosis; Habituation 01:42:30 Drug Holidays; Ritalin & Long-Term Effects 01:45:35 Modafinil, Armodafinil; Side-Effects 01:53:03 Guanfacine, Alcohol 01:58:03 ADHD Medications 02:00:26 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer: https://hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Andrew Hubermanhost

May 29, 20232h 2mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: May 29, 2023
Duration: 2h 2m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this episode, I explain how medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse and other stimulants work to increase focus and treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I explain the brain circuits involved in focus and the key roles dopamine and norepinephrine play in their regulation. Then I explain how stimulants such as Adderall and Vyvanse can increase focus and reduce hyperactivity in kids or adults with ADHD, and how and why Ritalin and other medications (e.g., Modafinil, Guanfacine) may work better for some. I explain the long-term effects of ADHD medications on height, cardiovascular health, hormones, predisposition to addiction and psychosis, and whether these treatments can be used and then stopped. I also discuss the immense individual variation in dosage sensitivity for these medications and the negative side-effects that occur from recreational use. This episode ought to benefit anyone with ADHD, their parents, those on ADHD medications or anyone curious about how these medications work. #HubermanLab Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman Maui Nui Venison: https://mauinuivenison.com/huberman ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman HVMN: https://hvmn.com/huberman InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman Momentous: https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman The Brain Body Contract https://hubermanlab.com/tour Social & Website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Articles Cardiovascular Effects of ADHD Therapies: JACC Review Topic of the Week: https://bit.ly/3MDbiri Brain alterations in children/adolescents with ADHD revisited: A neuroimaging meta-analysis of 96 structural and functional studies: https://bit.ly/3WDs0ve Impulsivity, Compulsivity, and Top-Down Cognitive Control: https://bit.ly/3MM3uUq Dopaminergic System Dysfunction in Recreational Dexamphetamine Users: https://go.nature.com/3WDM9Bk Modafinil enhances alerting-related brain activity in attention networks: https://bit.ly/3WLwobF Association of Intrinsic Brain Architecture With Changes in Attentional and Mood Symptoms During Development: https://bit.ly/3qhaaCl Cognitive enhancement effects of stimulants: a randomized controlled trial testing methylphenidate, modafinil, and caffeine: https://bit.ly/4270EPr Psychostimulants and Cognition: A Continuum of Behavioral and Cognitive Activation: https://bit.ly/3MHqAv6 Neural Correlates of Symptom Improvement Following Stimulant Treatment in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: https://bit.ly/3ILu2DI Long-term effects of stimulant exposure on cerebral blood flow response to methylphenidate and behavior in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: https://bit.ly/45CQpFu Molecular Characterisation of the Mechanism of Action of Stimulant Drugs Lisdexamfetamine and Methylphenidate on ADHD Neurobiology: A Review: https://bit.ly/45Bsl5J Pharmacologic treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis: https://bit.ly/3J8rEaH Books Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology (4th Edition): https://a.co/d/fJZekoD Other Resources Controlling Your Dopamine For Motivation, Focus & Satisfaction: https://youtu.be/QmOF0crdyRU Leverage Dopamine to Overcome Procrastination & Optimize Effort: https://youtu.be/K-TW2Chpz4k ADHD & How Anyone Can Improve Their Focus: https://youtu.be/hFL6qRIJZ_Y Timestamps 00:00:00 Stimulants & Attention-Deficient/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 00:03:21 Sponsors: Maui Nui, ROKA, HVMN 00:06:35 The Brain-Body Contract 00:07:22 Attention, Prefrontal Cortex & ADHD 00:16:27 Stimulants “Sympathomimetics” 00:21:29 Adderall, Dopamine & Norepinephrine 00:25:58 Sympathomimetics, Dopamine & Norepinephrine 00:31:05 Sponsor: AG1 00:32:20 Vyvanse is Timed-Release D-Amp 00:36:36 Ritalin, Concerta 00:40:10 Dopamine & “Noise Reduction”; Norepinephrine & “Signal Amplification” 00:45:28 ADHD: Focus, Hyperactivity & Impulsivity; Drug Selection & Dose 00:50:57 How do Stimulants ‘Calm’ ADHD? 00:54:48 Neuroplasticity & Neuromodulators 00:58:06 Kids, ADHD Diagnosis & Treatment; Predispose Addiction? 01:04:02 Sponsor: InsideTracker 01:05:12 ADHD Medications: Individuality, Doses, Tapering & Long-Term Use 01:13:28 Medication & Long-Term Effects: Height, Cardiovascular Risk, Alcohol 01:19:32 Cortisol & Hormones 01:27:45 Psychosis & Addiction; Methamphetamine 01:38:20 Recreational Use, Addiction & Psychosis; Habituation 01:42:30 Drug Holidays; Ritalin & Long-Term Effects 01:45:35 Modafinil, Armodafinil; Side-Effects 01:53:03 Guanfacine, Alcohol 01:58:03 ADHD Medications 02:00:26 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer: https://hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman, Adderall, Stimulants & Modafinil for ADHD: Short- & Long-Term Effects explores inside Adderall, Modafinil, and Stimulants: Real ADHD Benefits, Real Risks Andrew Huberman explains how common ADHD medications—Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, modafinil, and guanfacine—alter dopamine and norepinephrine systems to improve attention, reduce hyperactivity, and reshape prefrontal brain circuits. He clarifies why giving stimulants to hyperactive children can paradoxically calm them and enhance executive function by improving signal-to-noise across key brain networks. Huberman reviews comparative pharmacology, dosing variability, addiction and psychosis risks, cardiovascular and hormonal concerns, and the limited but important long‑term outcome data. He emphasizes that, when properly prescribed and combined with behavioral interventions, ADHD meds generally improve life outcomes and do not appear to increase later addiction risk, but misuse and off‑label performance use are dangerous.

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