The neuro protective effects may be secondary. Living with ADHD is very stressful. (I did it for more than 50 years before going on medication.) Chronic stress is literally toxic to the brain. So maybe the mellowing out that the medication brings prevents further damage and allows the brain to heal.
Good point! I too was 50 years undiagnosed and the stress is hell. The medication makes me feel calm. Over the last few years my brain has sort of had gains that stay even when I dont take the meds. Some of that could be learning how to function once I knew I had ADHD and calmness but its great to hear that it may be actual brain development.
Interesting and ENCOURAGING! In 2014 I underwent MRI scans of the brain, brain stem, and spine for an unrelated issue to ADHD. The Neurologist at the time commented on the overall size of my brain. Noting that it was smaller than “normal”. I had just been diagnosed with ADHD at age 57 and had just started taking Concerta daily @ 72mg. Now 13 years later at 70yo I’m wondering whether my brain has grown measurably…hmmm 🤔. On a side note…A side effect of taking stimulants (methylphenidate and/or amphetamine) that was never made known to me by either the provider, pharmacist, dentist, or oral surgeon is the FACT that stimulants LOWER the ph level of your saliva thus resulting in HIGHLY ACIDIC oral conditions which in turn causes an onslaught of tooth decay. Having tested my saliva using ph strips affirmed a HIGH ACIDIC ph level. I’ve recently stopped the stimulants and now take Strattera…we shall now see how this change effects my oral health…stay tuned.
I figured out I have adhd about 3 years ago, got diagnosed in January 2024, and finally got my medication in mid may. My life is rapidly changing for the better. For the first time in a very long time, I'm excited for the future and who I'll be in it.
So around half a month to see positive results. I hope they are genuine and not just the fruit of initial excitement, because I believed I was going to get my medication tomorrow and it turned out I misheard the date on the phone and it's actually one month away... I'm upset.
@beesmongeese2978 I know that pain! Before I got my meds, I finally mustered the will/wherewithal or whatever to go to the pharmacy to try to get them, only to find out I needed my GP to write me a prescription. I thought the letter I had gotten from the adhd clinic was enough to get them. So I had to wait for another week to get the prescription, THEN I found out my GP wrote a typo on it so I had to wait another 2 days to have that sorted to actually have the things in my hands. Don't give up! The medical is hell to navigate for everyone but especially those of us with executive dysfunction
Because it is.But I think the bigger problem is the notion that ADHD is not a serious problem, one that requires "treatment", not to mention involving "medication".
Maybe there is also a genuine fear that this line of study may be one of the first rungs on the ladder of eugenics. That rich families could give their children these neuropromoting drugs and enhance their cognitive skills, while the poor get increasingly locked out of higher education because they can't afford them. That it's one step closer to the world in the movie Gattaca, or something like that
I was struggling so much with my ADHD, I was constantly confused by misplacing my things. I felt crazy. I have been on my meds for 4 years now and my god!!! It has had tremendous impact and now if I don't take my meds one day is not the end of the world. 4 years ago if I didn't take then a sunday I would accomplish NOTHING. I couldn't even get up. Now I do stuff, with a little more effort. The difference between a little more effort and that stupid wall is huge!!!!
I wonder if it's the medication doing the work or rather just enabling changes? Pretty much as soon as I started medication I was very suddenly able to make significant changes to my diet, sleep habits, exercise and intellectual stimulation like reading material I otherwise couldn't get through and creative writing that I otherwise would never finish. I've also tested going off medication by setting myself up as well as possible to not need it with strategies and plans and habits, etc. I very quickly lose my ability to sustain these things without medication. So maybe it's just the ability to focus and maintain certain activities and it's those activities which are actually doing the work of promoting the morphological changes? Either way, I live in constant fear of being denied medication. I much prefer who I can be with it, than without it.
I wish it was like that for me. I barely notice any difference any more (initially I did see somewhat improved focus, but that waned quickly). The only thing the meds seem to help me do better is emotional regulation, but that is also something one can train to do better
@@Limemill That's how I felt as well - but then on the days when for some reason I miss a dose, I realize "oh, the medication really was helping even though I stopped noticing it"
@@null_moniker You see, I don't see any noticeable improvements in focus per se, which was my main motivation for taking the meds. I think it's more of a behavioural change that I need to make to improve things there. What I did notice though, anecdotally, is that if I take the meds for some time and then go off of them, for a period of time my focus actually becomes worse than it is in my "normal" state when I hadn't been taking meds for a bit. As far as emotional regulation goes, I'm not sure if it's worth it just for that given that some studies showed increased cardiovascular risk associated with using ADHD medications...
Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.
Yes, dr.porass. I have the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction and Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.
I wish they were readily available in my place. Microdosing was my next plan of care for my husband. He is 59 & has so many mental health issues plus probable CTE & a TBI that left him in a coma 8 days. It's too late now I had to get a TPO as he's 6'6 300+ pound homicidal maniac. He's constantly talking about killing someone. He's violent. Anyone reading this Familiar w/ BPD know if it is common for an obsession with violence.
Literally this kinda bot comment in every video about mental health, hope people realize this is just someone trying to push you to buy mushroom product off Instagram. Not saying they don't help or whatever but it the same line of text, so its not about helping its about money.
This is very reassuring to hear as someone who has been on Adderall for almost a decade. I've always been scared that I'm going to 'burn out' my brain like a junkie, that I'm trading mental clarity in the present for disastrous effects as I age. Thank you Dr. Barkley for your work putting information about this disorder out there.
Ever since I began treating my adhd with stimulant medications, I have been sharper than ever. I have never been capable of retaining knowledge to the degree I can currently. I am not getting any younger either. I also have a perfect driving record, with not even a speeding ticket. I in my teens I didn’t think I would ever feel safe being in a drivers seat.
Your contributions are immense, and the fact that you continue to uncover important facts to bring clarity to a very misunderstood disorder despite being retired, just further proves that your heart is in this thing. Thank you always.
Yep, this is absolutely true. This is a one finger salute to all the (small minority of loud) individuals that cast doubts on Dr Barkley being funded by big pharma. I don't think there's any medication to brain-wash people, so the next best explanation? He is genuinely a good human helping others through his knowledge and expertise casting as wide a net as possible here in the land of free videos. Couldn't be more grateful for him too myself.
Are you also hypermobile by any chance?? A lot of hypermobile ppl have ADHD and your list of symptoms sounds a bit like issues a lot of ppl with hypermobility have, even incl the allergies
A serious problem about adhd people specially adult is abandoning medical treatment, these results you reviewed here is encouraging. Appreciation Dr. Barkly🙏🏻
Hi Dr B. We met a few times with Chris and at CHADD conferences. I asked you if “accessing your brain, helps to develop it” you told me absolutely yes!! This was the first time I got an answer that was positive about using medication. Thank you for these videos and the continued education on ADHD. #learnallyoucanaboutadhd
This is huge, thanks so much Dr Barkley! I'm really interested to see more research on this with Atomoxetine, not just with neuro-protection/promotion against ADHD, but also depression and neurodegenerative diseases.
Stimulants made me feel wired, anxious, and caused me horrendous appetite suppression and insomnia. Strattera/Atomoxetine has been working great for me (not a magic fix - no meds are -) but I’m very happy with it.
I am on generic Strattera and I absolutely love it ! Strattera was originally created as an antidepressant. For me Strattera slowly but surely decreased my racing thoughts, anxiety and depression. I am so much calmer and happier in life now. I am about 9 weeks into taking my generic Strattera daily.
I've recently been diagnosed with ADHD, mids 30's, primarily attention deficit and have been prescribed Ritalin. I'm still adjusting to the medication & and implementing environmental changes. I had no idea that I might have ADHD until a member of the family who is an MD suggested it and I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Dr Barkely, Is it possible that an adult of my age with a late diagnosis who uses Ritalin will overtime develop positive structural brain changes that will allow better goal-orientated behaviour and self regulation? Which may persist even after cessation of the medication? Your channel was referred to me by my psychiatrist and I'm glad that I've dedicated more time in learning from the material and education that you freely share. After diagnosis I felt more confused and lost among the various opinions on ADHD. Thank you very much for dedicating your time to researching and sharing your findings on ADHD to help those most affected.
I think it needs to be when you are younger to essentially "fix" elements. This is based on something he said earlier regarding neuroplasticity and a podcast from Huberman labs that I asked about. At this point, it may still be protective - essentially preventing decline - and when you are medicated you are better able to use therapy/coaching (this can be books - see Ramsay, Solanto, Rosier, and others) to help you figure out how to think differently and self-accomodate. This is based on my understanding and ideally he will add his own understanding and caveats about what we know and don't know. Regardless, it sounds like you are taking the right steps now, and that's what is important.
But - if you listen at around the ten minute mark there is an interesting statement about adults and the neuro-protective effect. Haven't looked at the study, but sounds like some similarities in improvement even in adults.
One of the studies quoted said "the same findings of enhanced development in frontal lobe gray matter as a function of duration of stimulant treatment has been noted in adults." (Moreno-Alcazar, A. etc al. (2016). Psychiatry Research: Neuro-imaging, 254, 41-47.)
If you look at neurology more broadly, you’ll find that adult brains can definitely heal to quite an impressive extent. And many of us here in the comments have life changing experiences in our 50s. Especially those of us with ovaries who go into menopause, which reveals underlying ADHD, and are then saved by meds of different kinds from decades of stress as well as the sudden disappearance of some very basic brain functionality. At the end of the day what matters is not whether your physical brain structure changes, but what’s going on in your daily life. All the best with your exploration and learning!
Dr Barkley, you sound friendlier and so much more relaxed in retirement! 😂 I hope you're enjoying it! Thank you for these videos. I used to have to educate myself with videos of your talks from various channels. I'm glad we can get them directly from you now.
I wasw in a very dark polace when my psych wrote a script- I was 'immovable'1/2 hour later i was with my kids playing in the ocean. THANK GOD for the break throughs he allows. I knew it was for me, because I could take a nap on it. If things are dark, and you have done the ssri etc. BEG yoiur doc for a try- Never abused/ never desired to.
Bupropion eased my anxiety and depression more than any of the antidepressants I tried in the past 10 years, plus I started seeing significant results only 2 weeks after I began the medication. Absolutely life saving for me. I genuinely did not think I could take 50 more years of the mental state I was in.
Thank you, Dr. Barkley. This information puts my mind at ease. My youngest child was diagnosed in preschool, received stimulants until the late teens, and had to switch to non-stimulants. I was worried, but now I know. Thank you again. Be well.
Thank you so much for researching and sharing this information. Very late diagnosis in my late 40’s. Tried bipolar medications years ago, each causing crazier severe reactions than the last one, with no positive effect on anxiety. Knew I wasn’t bipolar, but psychiatrists at the time were not trained to spot adhd on the nhs in Scotland. Commenced stimulant medications a couple of years ago after seeking out an adhd assessment. Doesn’t stop the lack of motivation, I workout everyday to help with this, particularly boring tasks, but amazing for emotional regulation, impulsivity, improved not cured time blindness 😂, being able to process my thoughts and emotions better, the list goes on, which I’m sure you understand. There’s still many struggles, but it’s definitely a better quality of life. Antipsychotics and epilepsy drugs, yes I am calling them drugs, not medications are damaging to the body. Fully aware that people with other disorders have no choice but to take them for a better quality of life. On small doses of the children’s fast acting, felt the slow release was too strong, causing too much zombie calm. Shame there is not a smaller dose in the uk as certainly great at a constant even release rather the wearing off of fast acting during the day. Ironically, remembering to take this “addictive” medication 4 times a day can be problematic 🙄😂. The only concern I have is the possible physiological unseen damage being done. Definitely feel traumatised from the dangerous side effects of drugs from a wrong suspected diagnosis. This has gave a lot of comfort, so again thank you, greatly appreciated information 🤜🏻🤛🏻
This is so interesting. It would be interesting to see if there are differences between those with late dx and taking medications and who do not. More studies are always needed in ADHD world, saying with bias but with women in particular for sure.
My psychiatrist put me on atomoxetine+guanfacine and it’s comforting to know that this medication is probably helping me fend off the epilepsy that runs on my family
Hi, Dr. Barkley. Your video today is particularly interesting to me because it prompted me to think about my mother's cerebellar ataxia and the cognitive challenges she's started displaying in the past few years. I began to wonder if any stimulants have ever been used to treat cerebellar ataxia. I only found out about one case study of a teen with hereditary cerebellar ataxia and CCAS who had some sort of sudden-onset of ADHD symptoms and was treated with low doses of methylphenidate. It seems like there's an opportunity for further inquiry by researchers into stimulant usage for patients with cerebellar ataxia and the question arises as to whether CA may be behind some instances of ADHD.
Thanks for passing on the good news, Dr Barkeley. I find it odd, however, that the big pharma manufacturers of stimulants aren't promoting these results through advertising, medico training, shouting from the rooftops, etc. While I was really disappointed, initially, that the meds weren't enough on their own to cure all the executive function deficits in the same way they repaired attention problems, maybe I just have to give them a few years? Fingers crossed!
@@jordanu467 I'm wondering could it be becuase it is only correlational? I'm not sure I don't know much about pharma marketing regulations and claims etc
Maybe there is a genuine fear that this line of study may be one of the first rungs on the ladder of eugenics. That rich families could give their children these neuropromoting drugs and enhance their cognitive skills, while the poor get increasingly locked out of higher education because they can't afford them. That it's one step closer to the world in the movie Gattaca, or something like that. Regardless I'm very thankful for your continued work on ADHD visibility and transparency regarding its symptoms
ABSOLUTELY I’m a 59 yr old post menopausal woman diagnosed with adhd just started meds 6 weeks ago this has saved my life my marriage etc. I’m definitely experiencing what feels like my brain is healing.
Your existence might be the only reason of how I stand out all criticism of non-knowledgables on being myself and my choices. I am not saying that I use you for arguments, I don't. I just think about the science behind adhd to numb the buttons that are being pushed constantly, giving time a chance to let others understand what is really going on, someday. Hereby thanking you for not only educating, but like you said in this video, not being one of the bazillion channels who do not cover such mind-blowing news. Thank you, wishing you the best in health and luck! P.s. retired people who choose not to rest live longer. Keep up the good work!
Go Russell ! So many of your best information and presentations of latest science have all contained significant word substitutions, inversions and so on. Thank you so much for continuing to shine light on ADHD neurology and particularly the latest in the science of ADHD. You are so greatly appreciated!
Thank you for sharing this invaluable education! We most definitely are in need of more research! Family Nurse Practitioner here and I'd love to work on my PhD/PsyD and do further research on this topic.
This is very interesting to hear. Initially I was prescribed agomelatine which is used in my country to treat low level adhd symptoms before eventually going onto Vyvanse once my symptoms became too severe. Agomelatine has been show to increase neuroplasticity and is considered a neuroprotector. So none of this is surprising and I hope this is talked about more in the future
Very insightful, as always. I have ADHD. I'm a 34-year old woman who was diagnosed at 33, and the medication has definitely changed my life at all levels. Thank you
Sir, thanks so much for what you do. You're making the world a better place for those of us with this weird disorder. In the past couple of years since I was diagnosed (at 42) your work has helped me understand myself, my struggles, and this condition. And your work encouraged me (a nineties kid with a medication stigma) to seek medical support.
I'm so happy I stumbled on your channel! I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult after my kids received the diagnosis. I often think of it as my superpower because all these years of being unmedicated have forced me to develop systems to cope. Now, with the meds, life is so much easier.
I have been diagnosed with ADD 8 years ago. Have studied Physics without taking any medication at all - it was tough and tiresome! I have recently started using Methylphenidat again since I couldn`t keep up in my intellectually demanding job and noticed changes of course. I am more than happy to see that taking Methylphenidat for a long time may indeed change certain brain structures. This gives me hope. Thank you for your work - it is very much appreciated. For once I feel like somebody really understands the problems we people with ADD face. I alway compare my burden of carrying ADD with the punishment of the mythical figure of Sisyphos in the Tartaros.
Thank you Dr. Barkley for all sharing the relevant information. 🙏 I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 34. Medication+Therapy changed my life. Now, one year later, I am just the best version of myself. And It will get better. I have already read the taking charge of adult ADHD. It helps me a lot. I am really grateful. Best regards ❤
I will say that my POTS symptoms although still present have lessoned since I’m back on Vyvanse. They were much worse when I was off Vyvanse for 2-3 years. Unfortunately antidepressants caused too much emotional blunting for me. I’ve often wondered if that’s because of my neurodivergent brain. I used to take 70 mg of Vyvanse but due to the tachycardia with POTS. I Stopped. I’m only taking 10 mg now, but definitely notice a difference. The fatigue, memory loss, and brain fog was unbearable off Vyvanse, but on Vyvanse these and other POTS symptoms have improved.
This is really great to know and fascinating. I meet a lot of parents who are reluctant to medicate their ADHD children because they feel like they're drugging them and are anxious about potential long-term harms to the brain and body, but untreated ADHD is hella stressful and this is some good news about meds. For me, stimulants have been the only thing to ever make a dent on the constant low-grade depression... also, I can somehow do sports now? My balance and coordination is immensely improved on them. I'm curious about the MOA of meds that regulate dopamine to treat bi-polar/ADHD/depression and whether dopamine dysregulation might be a factor leading to dementia/parkinsons/alzheimers in old age. I had a family member who had lithium-induced parkinson's after taking it for bi-polar and other family members (and myself) who have experienced jerky head/jaw tics while on quietiapine/seroquel (I was taking it for sleep so it was a relatively low dose). This drug has some weird bad effects that you don't often hear reported, but I think that reporting on prescription medications is often a minefield (particulary in America) because of drug company media teams and legal concerns about efficacy or side effects.
Thank you for the great content. Very encouraging. I was wondering if there are any studies on how adhd people experience time. Not just where you show up late but where time just flies by and before you know it a few years have passed. I feel that way often and was wondering if it’s adhd. but maybe its just that I’m getting old and my kids are growing up
Very encouraging that it has the effect on adults too! I’ve only been on stimulants for less than a year at age 29, so it’s good to know it only gets better!
Just got diagnosed and medicated as an adult one and a half years ago, and I worry that I'm taking these too late in life that I might need to be dependent on these meds for the rest of my life just to function. I can't believe there's so much stigma attached to the medication when it can be so life altering! I'm imagining another generation of children who have to go through life undiagnosed, feeling like a failure and being stressed and depressed, when stimulants can actually help to fix the morphological structure of the brain itself and help us overcome this disability.
If the neural network is like a Lichtenberg figure, etched into the brain matter, then it makes sense that the stimulants coax growth and completion of the figure, and that the brain matter grow to support the new branches. Makes sense to me.
Thanks so so much for your work ! Its an Island in a sea of uncertainties. You're the only professional that gives me the kind of answers that i need ❤
Thank you for summarizing these findings. I have been thinking about the effects of medication on brain growth again and again, but collecting some of the current findings seemed too big a task for me. Now I have a good source to refer to. Let’s hope that much more research is done in these areas. And that it will yield illuminating results. Thank you. :)
Thanks a lot. 2 questions: Do ADHD medications have bad effects on the heart? May they really have other bad effects on the brain? What is the result if we weigh all the effects? Anyway, I guess they can be helpful, provided that the doctor or the therapist teach the person how to get the most out of them.
Good questions. If just weighing the benefits of ADHD Rx vs. risks of heart side effects (within reason), the pros outweigh the cons for me, personally. Cardiovascular functions can be monitored more easily with multiple objective measures. Plus, doctors have many concrete tools to help us maintain cardio health & correct for concerning trends.
I've been curious about this! I've wondered if the meds themselves improve the brain chemistry, or no longer having to live with the effects of unmedicated ADHD is what leads to the long term change.
Thank you for sharing this and for all that your doing in this field! Do these benefits apply to all ADHD treatments alike or only a subset (i.e. stimulants, methylphenidate or dextroamphetamine)?
I have narcolepsy and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. My grandmother died from Alzheimer’s complications. If this medication helps me from Alzheimer’s that gives me so much hope. Thank you.
that's great news! Sadly too late for me... I was late diagnosed at age 46 and had exposed my poor brain to all manner of... erm.... things in my 20s and 30s.
Doc Russ, thanks for this. I want to know though, are there any studies that deal with the side effects of long-term stimulant consumption? I'm really concerned about the elevated heart rate and blood pressure that I experience while on stimulants. Also, what are your thoughts on buproprion (sorry if you've already covered that on another video).
I’ve done too many things concurrently to be able to determine what is helping with the brain. I know mine is MUCH MUCH healthier post diagnosis and I am much more successful when I am consistently medicated. Too many confounding variables. How would they control for it. Interesting topic for sure!
I have told my therapist that I believe my methylphenidate has helped me beyond when I am taking the medication. I recently have had to really limit the medication because I started to have problems with a clenched jaw. I'm interested in whether the new Mendi device has any impact on executive function. I'm very much pro-medication, but limited by the side effects.
The moment I learned that I didn’t have to be terrible at directions and always get lost (for 30 years) I realized they are all fked up hater assholes. I never liked sports, terrible memories of football games during holidays - turns out I never could follow the game with the commercial breaks before. OH and apparently I can remember names. Wild. Never studied a day in all of grade school. College was more challenging but still low B student. Then since graduating in 2009, I’ve held full time job for all of 11 years. I’ve made bank trading derivatives (and loosing before medication). But good lord. I’m fking livid that in November I won’t be able to travel like a normal person without having to BE IN STATE to get a refill. I don’t even have a home state. Pisses me off that my ability to function in the meritocracy is less important than people potentially partying on drugs. And obvious the “over prescription” is bullshit considering the science that came out right before all the new diagnosis.
This inspired me to consider pursuing an actual proper screening again after a poor first interaction. Perhaps by merely toughing it out I am neglecting the health of my brain.
Eesh, sounds like maybe you had an underlying risk for aneurysms. Most aneurysms are there from birth/adulthood - but risk is over life time esp if BP is too high. Surprised they would continue meds that can incr BP after a single aneurysm bleed.
Thanks Doc! Have you considered doing shorts on these topics. I'd like for my daughter to get this great information you provide, yet 12-20 minutes is way to long for her to focus on if you get my drift.
I'm curious as to what you would think of using the drug Cerebrolysin for nerve growth/neuro-protection in ADHD through peptides. Biohackers like" Leo and longevity" who has adhd and used stimulants with positive results has some pretty amazing things to say about it. Would really love to hear your opinion!
As long as it's not gna roll and hit a another car or taking a parking spot... I can understand. That's a job. Someone's job. I return mine but don't feel the need to shame someone for not doing it.
Interesting. I have autism and ADHD. Also decades of depression and social anxiety and increasingly, memory problems, used to have superb memory. Would this possibly repair some of the damage done by years of stress and depression and SSRI on my brain? I no longer take the anti-depressants but I do take ADHD stimulant medication.
Good Morning Mr. Barkley, I am a 30 year old man from Austria. My diagnosis for adhd and some kind of an intermittent explosive disorder was already in my childhood. I learned to live with it and to controll it, but the more stress I get at work and the closer I get to a burnout, the harder it is to controll the adhd. Up until I found your videos I always said no to adhd medication, because I didn't want the dependency of "drugs" to controll my behavior and most doctors told me, after you get rid of the medication, it is worse then before with withdraw symptoms, etc.. Is the stimuly medicine you mention in this video similar in the overall effects as adhd medicine? Or is this something completly different? Thank you for you amazing work and all the information you've put out on youtube!
