Jay Shetty Podcast

Dr. Amen: ''Rewire Your ADHD Brain to CRAVE Hard Work!'' Do This!

Do you often forget things or lose track of time? Do you find it hard to stay focused on everyday tasks? Today, Jay reunites with the ever-popular Dr. Daniel Amen, a pioneering psychiatrist and clinical neuroscientist, to unravel one of the most misunderstood mental health topics today: ADHD. With society bombarded by endless distractions, overstimulation, and information overload, many are left questioning whether they truly have ADHD or are simply overwhelmed by the modern world. Dr. Amen cuts through the confusion by drawing from over three decades of clinical experience and brain imaging research. He clarifies that real ADHD is not a trend or a convenient label—it’s a genetic, neurological condition that can be identified through consistent behavioral patterns and even brain scans. What makes this conversation especially transformative is its focus on practical solutions and healing. Rather than defaulting to medication, Dr. Amen emphasizes a whole-brain, whole-body approach—starting with sleep, nutrition, and screen time. He cites compelling evidence showing how dietary changes and digital detoxes can significantly reduce symptoms in children. Jay and Dr. Amen also explore the emotional toll of untreated ADHD, including its links to addiction, depression, academic failure, and fractured relationships. Together, they challenge the stigma, revealing that ADHD is often both overdiagnosed and underdiagnosed, particularly in women and individuals without hyperactivity. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Naturally Improve Focus Without Medication How to Use Diet to Reduce ADHD Symptoms How to Identify the 7 Types of ADHD How to Reframe Negative Thoughts with Brain Training How to Create a Brain-Healthy Morning Routine How to Navigate ADHD in Romantic Relationships How to Advocate for ADHD Support in Schools and Work Your brain is not broken. By learning more about how your mind works, making intentional lifestyle shifts, and seeking the right tools, you can begin to show up in life with greater clarity, connection, and confidence. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:57 Why ADHD Is More Common in Men 03:32 How ADHD Affects the People Around You 05:10 How Proper Treatment Can Transform Your Life 10:58 Start with Simple Lifestyle Changes 13:36 What to Know About Dating Someone with ADHD 17:42 How Untreated ADD and Chronic Stress Can Lead to Illness 25:05 Why Winning an Argument with Your Partner Is Still Losing 28:07 The Power of Active Listening in Relationships 29:58 How to Navigate Life with a Parent Who Has ADD 32:44 Is ADHD Curable or Just Manageable? 33:57 The Long-Term Consequences of Untreated ADHD 34:20 Rethinking Brain and Mental Health as One 37:05 Practical Ways to Become More Organized Episode Resources: https://www.tiktok.com/@docamen https://www.instagram.com/doc_amen/ https://twitter.com/docamen https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdanielamen/ https://www.facebook.com/drdanielamen/ https://www.amazon.com/Daniel-G.-Amen/e/B004G3QFTW%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share https://danielamenmd.com/ https://www.amenuniversity.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jayshetty https://www.facebook.com/jayshetty/ https://x.com/jayshetty https://www.linkedin.com/in/shettyjay/ https://www.youtube.com/@JayShettyPodcast http://jayshetty.me

DADr. Daniel AmenguestJSJay Shettyhost

Jun 24, 2025·41m·Watch on YouTube ↗

📖 CHAPTERS

1. 1
   0:00 – 0:57

   Define what you want: The “One Page Miracle” as an ADHD starting point

   Dr. Amen opens with a practical exercise he uses with patients—especially those with ADHD/ADD—to clarify goals across life domains. He frames ADHD improvement as aligning daily behavior with a clearly written vision and using the prefrontal cortex for goal-setting and inhibition.

2. 2
   0:57 – 3:32

   Why ADHD is diagnosed more in men: sleepier frontal lobes and dopamine differences

   Jay asks why ADHD rates are higher in men, and Dr. Amen links it to gender differences in prefrontal cortex activity. He argues men have relatively lower frontal activation and dopamine, contributing to impulsivity and behavioral consequences.

3. 3
   3:32 – 5:10

   How ADHD can look different in women: inattentive traits, overfocus, and relationship cycles

   The conversation shifts to how symptoms vary by sex and subtype. Dr. Amen highlights patterns he sees in teenage girls, including dopamine-driven romance cycles and emotional volatility when novelty fades.

4. 4
   5:10 – 10:58

   ADHD’s ripple effect: relationships, stress, and the hidden driver of divorce

   Jay and Dr. Amen emphasize ADHD as more than a focus issue—it affects families, partners, and identity. Dr. Amen frames ADHD as biological with psychological, social, and spiritual consequences, including chronic stress impacts on health.

5. 5
   10:58 – 13:36

   Treatment can be transformative: brain-based personalization, neurofeedback, and mindset retraining

   Dr. Amen argues that treating ADHD can unlock strengths like creativity and pattern recognition. He outlines a multi-tool approach: assessing brain function, strengthening regulation, and reprogramming negative thinking.

6. 6
   13:36 – 17:42

   Start with simple lifestyle changes: supplements, diet, exercise, and “first do no harm”

   The episode highlights low-risk interventions before escalating to medication. Dr. Amen discusses evidence-informed supplements and lifestyle foundations, cautioning against one-size-fits-all claims and profit-driven narratives.

7. 7
   17:42 – 25:05

   Dating someone with ADHD: fit, support systems, and choosing what’s worth fighting over

   Jay asks what to expect when dating or marrying someone with ADHD. Dr. Amen uses his relationship with Tana to illustrate accommodation, appreciation, and how “fit” and willingness to get help matter more than labels.

8. 8
   25:05 – 28:07

   Untreated ADD + trauma + chronic stress: how health consequences can compound

   Dr. Amen connects ADHD family patterns with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and chronic stress physiology. He shares Tana’s story to illustrate how trauma and stress can increase risk for serious illness and how responsibility reframing can restore agency.

9. 9
   28:07 – 29:58

   Stop trying to win: rebuilding partnership through self-esteem and shared goals

   They discuss how scorekeeping and argument-winning erode intimacy. Dr. Amen frames the need to “win” as coming from low self-esteem or a combative mindset, and Jay reinforces that partners are on the same team.

10. 10
    29:58 – 32:44

    The penguin principle: reinforce what you want, not what you hate

    Dr. Amen shares a parenting story that becomes a broader relationship lesson: attention shapes behavior. The “Fat Freddy” penguin story illustrates how positive reinforcement can change dynamics with ADHD kids and partners.

11. 11
    32:44 – 33:57

    Active listening and rituals: how couples can communicate across ADHD/non-ADHD differences

    Advice turns practical for both sides of an ADHD/non-ADHD relationship. Dr. Amen emphasizes time rituals, active listening, and communication structures to reduce the feeling of being unheard or forgotten.

12. 12
    33:57 – 34:20

    Parent, workplace, and school realities: stigma, accommodations, and lifelong ADHD

    They address ADHD across the lifespan and in authority relationships (bosses/teachers). Dr. Amen notes ADHD doesn’t necessarily improve with age and recommends treatment first, with accommodations if needed.

13. 13
    34:20 – 37:05

    Is ADHD curable? Encouraging maturation vs. locking it in with modern habits

    Dr. Amen explains that some hyperactive symptoms can diminish with age, but core issues may persist. He describes how lifestyle either supports brain maturation or worsens symptoms over time.

14. 14
    37:05 – 41:46

    Long-term consequences and a new mental health framework: ‘brain and mind’ together

    The episode closes with stakes and a broader cultural vision. Dr. Amen lists societal harms tied to untreated ADHD and advocates reframing “mental health” as brain health to reduce shame and improve policy and prevention.