snailscientificsuppositions

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remember kids, just because an emotion is unhelpful doesn't mean it's wrong!

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i cant remember where i saw it but the "might as well" adhd hack is life-changing

basically instead of getting up to do the Task (evil), you get up to, say, grab a little snack. And oh, while you're standing right by the sink waiting for the microwave, you might as well wash a couple dishes

or you get up to go pee and oh, while you're in the bathroom you might as well brush your teeth, too. you might as well grab that cup when u walk past and drop it in the sink. you might as well clean the shower too since youve already got all the supplies out

i feel like it's the sort of thought pattern that leads adhd brains to jump from one task to the next so quickly — (oh, while I'm grabbing something from the pantry i might as well fix that broken shelf) or hyperfixate on certain tasks (oh, while I'm down here dusting the baseboards I might as well sand down the splinters and repaint them too). This is the only trick for executive dysfunction I've found that works for me, so hopefully it helps someone else too

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there is also some level of relation between unmedicated ADHD and addiction!

reminder that adhd medication isn't a luxury or preference, but a lifesaving medication. a 10 year long study in the usa showed that, when properly medicated, the rate of car crashes people with adhd get into goes down significantly--men's rate drops by 38%, and women's by 42%. the med shortage, denial of meds by doctors, rising prices, and war on drugs has killed--with such a car dependent society, not driving frequently isn't an option, which means we need better healthcare and need it now.

https://shorturl.at/8VD8B

edit because i forgot to explain: short link is to an article by the washington post, it should be free to read

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why neuroscience is cool

space & the brain are like the two final frontiers

we know just enough to know we know nothing

there are radically new theories all. the. time. and even just in my research assistant work i've been able to meet with, talk to, and work with the people making them

it's such a philosophical science

potential to do a lot of good in fighting neurological diseases

things like BCI (brain computer interface) and OI (organoid intelligence) are soooooo new and anyone's game - motivation to study hard and be successful so i can take back my field from elon musk

machine learning is going to rapidly increase neuroscience progress i promise you. we get so caught up in AI stealing jobs but yes please steal my job of manually analyzing fMRI scans please i would much prefer to work on the science PLUS computational simulations will soon >>> animal testing to make all drug testing safer and more ethical !! we love ethical AI <3

collab with...everyone under the sun - psychologists, philosophers, ethicists, physicists, molecular biologists, chemists, drug development, machine learning, traditional computing, business, history, education, literally try to name a field we don't work with

it's the brain eeeeee

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ADHD — The Rundown

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by executive dysfunction and emotional dysregulation.

Executive dysfunction: impaired cognitive control over goal-oriented behavior. It often presents as difficulty defining goals, initiating tasks, suppressing impulses, regulating attention, using working memory, and multitasking.

Emotional dysregulation: difficulty managing emotions, resulting in intense or sustained emotional reactions

Impacts

ADHD has effects on personal, social, academic, and professional life. Problems with impulse control can lead to addiction and social conflicts, and executive dysfunction as a whole causes problems maintaining schoolwork and professional obligations.

Over ¼ of people living in detention centers meet criteria for ADHD, while ADHD is only present in around 4% of adults in the general population.

ADHD is also associated with a lower life expectancy (by about 13 years).

Around 40% of Americans with ADHD were smokers in 2008 as compared to 20% of the general population in 2009, which is comparable to other psychiatric disorders.

ADHD is also associated with a greater risk for suicidal ideation, behavior, and attempts. Roughly ¼ of suicidal children under 12 have ADHD, and ADHD adolescents are more likely to also have issues with anxiety, major depressive episodes, chronic depression (dysthemia), and addiction. On it's own, ADHD is associated with 1.5× the amount of suicidal ideation in the general population, while ADHD alongside comorbid conditions has 4–12× the amount.

Causes

ADHD is associated with various structural differences in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The PFC is responsible for executive functioning, and it is very sensitive to neurochemical imbalances. ADHD is strongly believed to result from lowered dopamine and norepinephrine activity, weakening the PFC and resulting in executive dysfunction. Some studies have also shown that children with ADHD have reduced grey matter in the prefrontal cortex, although I was not able to access this book due to the paywall.

Treatment

The most common and effective treatments for ADHD are stimulant medications, of which there are many types. Some of the most common options involve methylphenidate (branded as Ritalin or Concerta), and amphetamines (used in Adderall, Mydayis, Dexedrine, and Vyvanse).

Methylphenidate acts as a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), meaning it slows the reabsorption of those neurochemicals. Amphetamines work by increasing catecholamine activity. Catecholamines are a group of neurotransmitters often associated with the fight or flight response, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. Catecholamines are associated not only with anxiety, restlessness, and fear, but also with focus, awareness, wakefulness, and reflexes, as well as a variety of physical effects.

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ADHD is caused by irregularities in the brain's reward system. Symptoms are specifically caused by abnormally low dopamine and norepinephrine activity.

Norepinephrine is similar to adrenaline and is often associated with the fight or flight response. Heightened activity causes anxiety, restlessness, and a variety of physical effects. It also improves memory, awareness, reflexes, and focus.

Dopamine is a major part of the brain's reward system, which is how behaviors are reinforced. It is what provides motivation to repeat certain behaviors (called "reinforcing behaviors")

Irregular activity of these neurotransmitters can cause a wide array of issues. Overactive norepinephrine can cause anxiety or panic attacks, while overactive dopamine can cause mania or psychosis. ADHD / executive dysfunction and emotional dysregulation is theorized to be caused by lowered activities of both.

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Executive dysfunction is a malfunction of the executive functions — parts of the brain that control deliberate behavior. The five main executive functions are:

attentional control (choosing to focus on something)

cognitive inhibition (tuning out irrelevant stimuli)

inhibitory control (impulse control)

working memory ('short term' memory)

cognitive flexibility (ability to quickly switch focus between different tasks / subjects)