Dopamine deprivation reddit adhd People with ADHD are speculated to have lower tonic dopamine firing -- sort of a constant "pace-maker" firing -- and, in turn, low tonic dopamine firing drives higher phasic dopamine firing, also called "burst firing", which follows stimulation with rewarding, aversive firing and reinforces stimulating learned behaviors. You can't autonomously choose your bedtime through conscious choice, there are specific times throughout the day your physiology Somehow in all the ADHD research I've been reading and articles about ADHD and women, I just learned today: ADHD symptoms and fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone may be connected. Researchers speculate that an underlying cause of ADHD is dysfunctional dopamine transmission. Share your stories, struggles, and non-medication strategies. So title basically, do we know how close to the typical dopamine levels the adhd medication actually up them up to? I suppose if the person becomes super ''functioning'' (for a lack of a better word) its probably a sign than their dopamine levels is pretty close to that to a neurotypical, but The problem is that sleep deprivation, especially when prolonged, makes ADHD symptoms worse. The main treatment for ADHD is medication, which is extremely effective. 7 % in the striatal system. I was musing today about medication tolerance and have been wondering if there is a limit to the amount of dopamine downregulation that happens when taking these drugs long-term. I have been asking myself this since I got smarter about getting things done. Or set parental control timers so you can only spend a certain amount of time per day on your phone. When the feed curation failed, like on FB and IG. The mobile apps used for Reddit are broken or are missing features that this subreddit depends on. Which I believe because when using these I feel relaxed and happy. And as the article notes, Dr. I had a day to end all days yesterday (both work wise and socially). My therapist has adhd and suggested I prolong dopamine-inducing activity on purpose and speed up low-reward tasks. Like ADHD, Parkinson's is also caused by your body not being able to utilize dopamine correctly. You should operate under the notion of deficiency in everything, this is actually the most safe intervention; adressing everything at once is the safe approach, only pharmaceuticals and toxins get more problematic if combined. I feel like I can work like an NT after staying up late for a night, but I find it only becomes harder to convince myself to go to bed at a reasonable time the more sleep deprived I am. Besides the general increase in dopamine from sleep deprivation itself, there are usual spikes in dopamine at the "wake maintenance zone" which happen 1-3h before your usual bedtime that make it hard to sleep earlier. It's definitely a lack of sleep and our bodies already in a lower than average dopamine level. Posted by u/waterlion3140 - 11 votes and 8 comments Like for Reddit, I made specific multi-Reddit and stopped browsing r/all. I also think I am hoping I might know what it is like to feel normal sometimes. Isn't there a pretty good body of research around sleep deprivation being a trigger for addition dopamine release. But I imagine sleep-deprivation can also heavily affect the way your body manages neurotransmitters. Impulse control is harder. Dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia is the cause of Parkinson’s disease - so it’s too non-specific to say ‘dopamine deficiency’ being the cause of adhd in general. As in, higher levels of estrogen trigger a release of dopamine, and so when estrogen drops in the cycle, ADHD symptoms get worse. Jan 11, 2025 · After my last post about dopamine depletion resonated with so many of you, I wanted to share the practical steps that actually helped me rewire my brain. Your brain either doesn't produce enough dopamine or your dopamine transporters don't leave it where it's supposed to be for enough time. It used to be believed that the low dopamine was caused by an excess of dopamine transporters which would move the dopamine out of the synapse before concentrations could build up to "typical" levels. 2. It's a vicious cycle! Sleep deprivation reduces the availability of D2 (one of the dopamine) Receptors in certain parts of the brain. Hi u/tillymint259 and thanks for posting on r/ADHD! Please take a second to read our rules if you haven't already. No theoretical fluff – just real, tested methods from someone who's been in the trenches. Can… We're an inclusive, disability-oriented peer support group for people with ADHD with an emphasis on science-backed information. Sleep deprivation alters the production of said dopamine and many more things (like neuronal membrane potential, cleaning the residual proteins of neuron metabolism and probably uncountable other things we dont know yet). And then I get depressed because I am so low on happy chemicals and stimulation. Mine is as follows: Yoga Weightlifting Swimming Sex Blasting my favorite music and belting it out Getting tattooed I also read that ADHD can interfere with dopamine, which is (partly?) why people with ADHD have problem focusing on everyday tasks. I'm diagnosed with adhd, take adderall and dexedrine. Also happens after a major dopamine peak to a crash. I suggested my psychiatrist proscribing me stimulants and he argued that it's better to try a dopamine diet or dopamine detox. I actually learned how to control dopamine for my benefit. Second edit direct from the link: "When dopamine then interacts with its receptors, it inhibits the effects of norepinephrine—which means a decrease in the production and release of melatonin. I learned something interesting about sleep deprivation. We intend this comment solely to be informative. I’m reading about how a lack of general motivation can be related to a dopamine deficiency, and dopamine deficiency can be a symptom of ADHD. Just to be clear, I know I should probably ask a doctor instead, but for the moment I am not able to. Interestingly, the researchers found that these dopamine receptors only appear in the pineal gland towards the end of the night, as the dark period We're an inclusive, disability-oriented peer support group for people with ADHD with an emphasis on science-backed information. Doing nothing is boring, and leads to less dopamine. Trouble is, once I consume the bagel or chat with a friend or buy the Amazon thingie, I’m back to square one. Maybe you didn’t learn to read. Zyban. I used their Like/Dislike/“Stop Showing me this” features. Today was a crash like I have seldom experienced. The more you know, everything you have described is textbook ADHD. So that's why I would like to try and get dopamine sorted in anyway. This can give them undesirable side effects. It's a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. Why it works? Because dopamine is what is dysfunctional in ADHD. Cashing a lack of focus. I am notorious for impulsive online shopping, going to the store to buy something new, as well as binge eating junk. Engage with friends. That way when it kicks in my mind is associative the feel good/dopamine reward with exercise. 5-3 GPA isn’t terrible, but I know I I know that the idea of a dopamine detox it self is still a debated topic. Jul 10, 2023 · How Is ADHD Connected to Dopamine? ADHD is a neurotype with a solid connection to dopamine production. But the truth for most people is that constant small hits of dopamine (social media, porn or any form of quick fix media) is usually a bad thing as it desensitizes the brain to dopamine so when your brain gives you dopamine for something useful it won’t mean as much. I'm not a professional, I just have a personally vested interest in the comorbidity of ADHD and delayed sleep phase disorder. I can't get things done, it's not because of motivation or energy, and I don't know what could be causing it. Three months after initiation of treatment with methylphenidate we found a down-regulation of the post-synaptic dopamine receptor with a maximum of 20 % and a down-regulation of the dopamine transporter with a maximum of 74. Thank you! A moderator has not removed your submission; this is not a punitive action. Look into Wellbutrin (bupropion). I always assumed this was a reasonable survival compensation. Though, shouldn't be lecturing as I spent nearly 20 years getting 4-5 hours of sleep a night. However too much dopamine for ADHD people also causes negative effects. I have realized this pattern and it totally makes sense when I think of ADHD as a dopamine deficiency. The main takeaway from the detox for me was that I have to watch my dopamine intake the same way I watch my sugar or alcohol intake. Adhd makes you produce less dopamine and dopamine detox can lead to depression-like symptoms and make executive function even worse! So be super careful. I've felt this way for a long time but I feel it's time I say it. Works really well on TikTok and I have that nailed to a feed I don’t get heavily stimulated on. Your dopamine receptors go into overdrive, giving you energy and satisfying your brain, allowing you to focus on other things. I love solving "problems/puzzles"; it's a key part of my ADHD, gives me a huge dopamine rush. It is bad for people with adhd Low dopamine levels in parts of the brain are typical of ADHD. Norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) , major depressive disorder, atypical antidepressant , Epileptic seizures , ADHD, alleviate sexual dysfunction, weight loss, releasing agent of dopamine and norepinephrine (NDRA), similarly to other cathinones , Wellbutrin SR and XL Feel depressed and strugglinng with the dopamine withdrawal from relationship. Pretty much all of my major ADHD issues are the ones most clearly linked to dopamine like memory, anticipation and reward. I will consume my adderall only 15mins before walking into the gym. after the alcohol crash and dopamine depression my hangovers are a nightmare. One thing I’ve been paying attention to is dopamine seeking behaviours. I’m still new to learning about ADHD and I’ve seen a number of posts mentioning dopamine and (maybe) seratonin and “dopamine hits” and what not. I have binge eating disorder and I am almost positive it stems from my ADHD. Nearly a million and a half users say they 'feel at home' and 'finally found a place where people understand them'. I highly recommend listening to/watching the Dr Andrew Huberman podcast episode on ADHD and then the one on dopamine. In the arm metaphor, the cell that wants to move it and the cell that wants to stop it can't communicate properly, so they'll fire independently of one another in this horrible back and forth of stop and go, leading to that tell tale shaking that We're an inclusive, disability-oriented peer support group for people with ADHD with an emphasis on science-backed information. Total sleep deprivation implies REM deprivation yes, but when you quote REM sleep deprivation and REM sleep loss studies, you're not adresssing sleep deprivation. So, the stimulation I can definitely say this happens to me as well. Nora Volkow one of the authors of both the 2008 and the 2012 studies, noted in 2008 that this change in dopamine / dopamine receptor subtypes is not necessary an advantage and may be a disadvantage and overall sleep deprivation is a net negative regardless of dopamine effects. Acute sleep deprivation (a single night of low sleep) actually increases dopamine the next day. Happened to me like 30 days ago for We're an inclusive, disability-oriented peer support group for people with ADHD with an emphasis on science-backed information. I set aside time at work to work on problems which may yield "interesting" results. I tried it and it seems to work!. I cut out video games during school semester for example because i get addicted, but i try not to be too strict otherwise with for example switching tasks etc. Lol. Ritalin only affects tonic firing. We recommend browsing /r/adhd on desktop for the best experience. I’ll just start with my question: how do you folks deal with seasons of life where you really have to deprive yourself of your usual dopamine-generating activities? The longer version/a vent: I’ve always been an over-spender and someone with a very “I should do this now because you never know about the future” mindset. Besides Reddit, I'm not a social media person and I don't play video games or anything to get my dopamine hits;) you know. So if ADHD brains have lower levels of dopamine than is typical, can this be rephrased to say: ADHD people are generally less happy (due to having lower dopamine)? Adhd have very high phasic firing and low tonic firing. I'd say Sleep is up there as a vital need - doubly so for the adhd mind. For example, in the past some of mine have been specific types of candy, specific songs/artists, specific colors, etc. I’m fairly recently diagnosed and everything makes sense now. "This finding is consistent with a lot of observations for which there has been, until now, no explanation. The quick hits, not the dopamine boost that comes from exercise that actually require work on my part. I clinically don’t produce enough neurotransmitters already due to having ADHD (research hints lack of dopamine and norepinephrine production as the main contributor to ADHD symptoms, but keep in mind they are both thought to have initial calls for production rooted at the 5-ht1a serotonin receptor). I want to find a replacement source of dopamine/happy hormones that isn't so destructive. My guy, a lack/misuse of dopamine and a few other neurotransmitters like serotonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, is what ADHD *is* at its core. Also, you should try to see if you have another medical problem/condition since a lot of times people have, for example, sleep problems that worsen ADHD symptoms. I've done a lot of reading on this, but I wondered if any in the group had insight. I need dopamine to stay motivated in all areas so I’m always on the hunt. You know, what the OP asked about. However, the book Dopamine Nation is suggesting another approach where a suggestion of 4 weeks of abstinence from a highly over stimulating drug or other external stimuli is a good period to revert back to normal levels again. Long-Term ADHD Treatment Increases Brain Dopamine Transporter Levels, May Affect Drug Efficacy I will say as a person with ADHD with different genres of music there are times where a certain common rhythm, rift, drum beat, etc I will hyper focus on and generally stick to listening to that genre to hear it over and over for a while for that dopamine hit. You described me before I got on meds (which brings its challenges, too, unfortunately). Hypothesis: relationships are an addiction to people with ADHD who experience love in the relationship weather it be platonic or romantic. I blurt shit out randomly. honestly its worrying me a lot more than ADHD itself. I have maybe never felt normal. It ended badly, her choice not mine, and I think that whilst I feel depressed and heartbroken it's for the best as she couldn't show up and my needs weren't being met. It's used to help quit smoking, against narcolepsy, around seventh in line for what doctors prescribe against depression, and may be used as an "if all else fails" ADHD medication, but it targets the dopamine reuptake which we all know is a great part of what messes us up. Dopamine, ADHD, motivation I’ve been looking into why I often lack motivation in areas such as self improvement, education and organization. The effect is not actually a “dopamine detox” but rather an upregulation of dopamine receptors that makes previously unfun things fun. I get so excited when I get a Reddit reply to my posts. I posted a day ago explaining my case but I'll resume it. 3 hours of sleep is not really severely sleep deprived. Push through all the sciency stuff if you don't understand it. From my limited understanding, medications increase the amount of dopamine available in certain parts of the brain (which is beneficial), yet the brain eventually Will my meds* eventually help me with issues like dopamine depletion (*Vyvanse 40 mg right now). Twitter, IG, and TikTok. And do you know what your current seroquel dose is? If your doctor doubled it, it might be blocking your dopamine receptors which will theretically make Adderall less effective From Wikipedia: “ At very low doses, quetiapine acts primarily as a histamine receptor blocker (antihistamine) and α1-adrenergic blocker. I wonder if it's because it creates a behavioral loop. So many people with ADHD suffer from sleep deprivation. On three hours sleep I imagine your dopamine might be affected by the novelty - if you've only slept for three hours there might be an unusual reason. i feel like if i stand up my legs dont have the strenght to support my weight. I've noticed (particularly with my DX eldest) how disappointment sends dopamine crashing so dramatically that -- even when treated -- the dysregulation becomes briefly insurmountable. I love the dopamine rush of eating good food, and I'm very impulsive and have trouble stopping. im drinking heavly 3-4 times a week. And then add every failed project to the subconscious, dragging it everywhere, while watching others do a single hobby and proceed to either elevate their life with it, or turn it into a career. When you are sleep deprived, you experience a spike in dopamine in two areas - your thalamus (information relay station) and striatum (motor control, emotions, habits, reward). I'm sorry, but Dopamine Detox is a tool for changing behavior, it will not change your brain nor cure your ADHD. First saw the concept of a dopamine menu on How To ADHD and thought it was genius! The menu is a list of activities that you do that gives you a flood of the dopamine that your brain needs. Dopamine [reward] will have you always going for it. Sabroxy doesn't make more of anything, it just increases the amount of time dopamine hangs around outside of neurons. I stim which I've never really done. This meme especially. Apparently it's because you need sleep to replenish neurotransmitters and reset receptors and such, and if that isn't done then your brain simply cannot get enough dopamine from the action of the meds, but you still get the side effects so you just feel tired, dopamine-starved and on edge instead 🙁 • Turn to dopamine high of whatever nature (weed, video games, spend money, waste time on Reddit) • do the above until there’s no time left for the work to be done and my persistent fear of complete failure makes me do the work in a mostly mediocre fashion and my grades reflect that, in my opinion. It even induces many ADHD symptoms in non-ADHD people (Many docs won't treat ADHD or begin to entertain ADHD as a diagnosis until sleep hygiene and duration has been maintained for some amount of time to rule this out). Partial dopamine detox Remove the biggest sources of stimulation over a longer period of time. Now, i have read that sleep deprivation can lower natural dopamine and norepinephrine levels, is that right? Could that explain why i barely seem to notice the effect of the meds on these sleep deprived days? Also, any tips how to get over these side effects and get some sleep? Many thanks in advance Dopamine is a neurotransmiter that modulates the salience of a given stimulus, like "hey! Focus on that, It seems important". I ended up deciding to quit video games for good since ADHD makes us especially vulnerable to them. So from my (admittedly limited) understanding of dopamine - dopamine is what causes people to be happy and feel positive. I found out that my productivity pretty much skyrockets when I deprive myself of everything that feels even a bit joyful or fun: Snacking sweets/eating in general, taking a sip from an energy drink, masturbation, taking a look at the phone, checking out Reddit, even clicking on some colorful buttons. Satisfaction. This means that the brain can’t receive dopamine correctly, leading to emotional responses that differ from those who are neurotypical. I feel like most people with ADHD can relate to having very specific things that provide dopamine. Most ADHD meds, or coffee in your case, cause the synthesis of dopamine, along with serotonin and norepinephrine. We're an inclusive, disability-oriented peer support group for people with ADHD with an emphasis on science-backed information. Sleep deprivation's key symptom is a lack of focus. Essentially, dopamine detoxes use the same mechanism as addiction, but flips it on its head. Many of the Memes I see from this sub that hit r/all aren't ADHD specific and can be applied to anyone. My eyes feel funny. This is hypothesised to be why people in sleep deprived states are more prone to impulsivity and risky behavior. By increasing dopamine secretion during tonic firing, there is less dopamine for phasic firing, and the person becomes less impulsive/hyperactive. The two common suggestions of exercise and sleep don't really work for me because I'm an insomniac I'm currently typing this at 4 am and yesterday slept "Without estrogen, more than 30 percent of all the dopamine neurons disappeared in a major area of the brain that produces the neurotransmitter, dopamine, " Redmond said. The prefrontal cortex is implicated in ADHD but again, it’s too non-specific to just say “it’s a hypoactive prefrontal cortex”. I’m starting to recognize it as a dopamine seeking behaviour. I constantly can't shake the feeling that what is clinically considered ADHD is actually neurotypical and that most people would be diagnosed with it. Posted by u/KathyN_food - 1 vote and 5 comments We're an inclusive, disability-oriented peer support group for people with ADHD with an emphasis on science-backed information. Thank you! Posted by u/[Deleted Account] - 25 votes and 37 comments Posted by u/AmericanGalactus - 28 votes and 15 comments "The nutritional status of the west is worse than livestock's, companion animals and animals used in life sciences research. With my 6 year old, some of that can be chalked up to development (disappointment she didn't find the most Easter eggs; disappointed Yes, the ADHD brain craves dopamine, any food or activity that tastes/feels good. Low dopamine leads to executive disfunction which makes me want to do nothing. I can see why it might help you, ADHD likes to have weird backwards symptoms for stuff (like how coffee makes us tired etc). I go through phases where I can't get off my phone and have to delete tiktok and reddit so I can't get dopamine from my phone. I recently got into a very intense situationship with someone I really fell for. Just think it's funny how it makes me feel. It's a NDRI, a noreponephrine-dopamine-reuptske-inhibitor. So yes, while the adderall is addressing the lack of dopamine, it does nothing for the adenosine in your brain. Total sleep deprivation has the same effect, as the study I posted addressed. Adderall and related drugs essentially makes your brain release a megadose of dopamine. You need to be careful, since doing high dopamine stuff early in the day will make it much harder to be productive. This effect fades quickly, unfortunately. While we sit here with the knowledge of our failures, and no possible solution to find something that will fulfill the dopamine deprivation.
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