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/

  • ThotDragon@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    5·
    17 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).