Adderall, Stimulants & Modafinil for ADHD: Short- & Long-Term Effects | Huberman Lab Podcast

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:58:55 +0000

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.

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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

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