ADHD stimulants appear to work less by sharpening focus and more by waking up the brain. Brain scans revealed that these medications activate reward and alertness systems, helping children stay interested in tasks they would normally avoid. The drugs even reversed brain patterns linked to sleep deprivation. Researchers say this could complicate ADHD diagnoses if poor sleep is the real underlying problem.

ADHD stimulants appear to work less by sharpening focus and more by waking up the brain. Brain scans revealed that these medications activate reward and alertness systems, helping children stay interested in tasks they would normally avoid. The drugs even reversed brain patterns linked to sleep deprivation. Researchers say this could complicate ADHD diagnoses if poor sleep is the real underlying problem.

edit here is another article

https://medicine.washu.edu/news/stimulant-adhd-medications-work-differently-than-thought/

  • Ada@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    41·
    16 hours ago

    It doesn’t really match my experience though. I’m one of those rare ADHD folk who has zero issues with sleep.

    • ThotDragon@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      5·
      15 hours ago

      Well they did say it was like that, not exactly that and also highlighted that it helped turn on reward centers. I’ve had a pretty consistent sleep schedule for the past couple years and getting good sleep didn’t resolve my issues with motivation. To be fair, adderall didn’t resolve them either (not a neuroscientist so no idea why).