Exercise Is the Most Underrated ADHD Treatment: Here’s the Dose
On mornings when I run before school, I teach differently. Not marginally differently — noticeably differently. My recall of student names is sharper, I hold the thread of a classroom discussion longer, and the gap between a student asking a question and my formulating a useful response is shorter.
I noticed this pattern long before I understood why it was happening. The neuroscience, it turns out, is not mysterious.
Ever noticed this pattern in your own life?
Why This Is Especially Hard for ADHD Brains
ADHD brains struggle with executive function — the mental skills that control working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. According to the NIMH, these deficits stem from underactivity in the prefrontal cortex and altered neurotransmitter function, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine [1].
Related: ADHD productivity system
I believe this deserves more attention than it gets.
The CDC reports that only 26% of adults get the recommended amount of physical activity [2]. For ADHD adults, this number is even lower due to:
