Improve Focus with Behavioral Tools & Medication for ADHD | Dr. John Kruse

My guest is Dr. John Kruse, M.D., Ph.D., a psychiatrist specializing in treating people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We discuss the many stimulant and nonstimulant ADHD medications available, covering both their potential benefits and risks. We also explore behavioral approaches to managing ADHD, the key role of maintaining a consistent sleep-wake schedule, and the impact of exercise, fish oil supplementation, and video games on ADHD. Additionally, we examine the genetic and environmental factors contributing to the rise in adult and child ADHD diagnoses and offer various options to consider if you or someone you know is struggling with focus.

Articles

• Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal (Cell Reports Medicine)
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medications and Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases (JAMA Psychiatry)
• Caffeine content of specialty coffees (Journal of Analytical Toxicology)
• Video game training enhances cognitive control in older adults (Nature)
• Neurofeedback for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (JAMA Psychiatry)
• Guanfacine’s mechanism of action in treating prefrontal cortical disorders: Successful translation across species (Neurobiology of Learning and Memory)
• Circadian rhythm disruption as a link between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and obesity? (Journal of Psychosomatic Research)

Books

• “The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat: And Other Clinical Tales” by Oliver Sacks
• “Awakenings” by Oliver Sacks
• “Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams” by Matthew Walker
• “Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD: Targeting Executive Dysfunction” by Mary V. Solanto
• “Mastering Your Adult ADHD: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program, Client Workbook (Treatments That Work)” by Steven A. Safren, Susan E. Sprich, Carol A. Perlman

Other Resources

• Dr. Oliver Sacks captures a thought in his journal at Amsterdam’s busy train station (photograph)
• An Amazing Sleep Aid: Cyclic Sighing
• Breathing Exercises for ADHD?
• Cyclic Breathing For Beginners: Guided Breathwork

Huberman Lab Episodes Mentioned

• The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
• Dr. Matthew Hill: How Cannabis Impacts Health & the Potential Risks

People Mentioned

• Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: Hungarian-American psychologist, known as the "father offlow"
• Aaron Beck: Americanpsychiatrist, founder of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
• Adam Gazzaley: professorof neurology, University of California, San Francisco