131–140 of 140 posts
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Not recommended if you're depressed/in a bad situation because you can just disassociate from everything instead of fixing it.
You could just as (if not more) easily gain clarity into what you need to fix and how, and increase your ability to act on those insights.
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Not recommended if you're depressed/in a bad situation because you can just disassociate from everything instead of fixing it.
You could just as (if not more) easily gain clarity into what you need to fix and how, and increase your ability to act on those insights.
I have a simple question. How do I control dopamine in "my" brain so that I can focus on "here and now" instead of HN and GitHub.
1. Cold plunge - high but transient (last for hours). I do it in the morning, after my shower - start the day off right. 2. Exercise - short-term: increases dopamine, serotonin, and a bunch of other good stuff; long-term: increases dopamine receptor density. 3. Caffeine - while doesn't technically increase dopamine, it blocks adenosine receptors which indirectly increases dopamine signalling. But habitual use blunts…
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Have you tried any other medication? Concerta/Ritalin, Strattera/atomoxetine, or any other non-stimulant medications?
No I havent, maybe its worth trying. Adderall worked so well for me initially I didnt want to experiment but yeah over time the negatives have outweighed the positives. I mean seriously first day 5mg worked better than 20mg a month or two later I imagine the tolerance thing holds with all drugs so Im surprised people say it works for them long term (maybe placebo, or they're comparing it to withdrawal "Ive been on ad…
For the first few days we can experience significantly increased energy and some euphoria, along with the therapeutic effects. That's a really novel experience at first (which in itself helps ADHD brains focus) so it often works extremely well for a short while.
People get in trouble if they try to chase that initial feeling (high), mistaking it for the therapeutic value that the medication is supposed to provide. Eventually we're not supposed to feel it at all, and if it's the right medication for us at the right dosage, it should just quietly provide therapeutic value in the background, improving our executive functioning challenges, emotional regulation, etc.
As I understand it, the data on tolerance with stimulant medication is a bit mixed[1], some people develop tolerance but many people don't.
In your situation I'd definitely give different medications a try, it shouldn't make you feel like a zombie. It's pretty common for people to respond poorly one class of medications and respond well to another class. If Concerta (methylphenidate) didn't work for me I would personally consider Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine), then atomoxetine (an SNRI). There are also some other non-stimulant options like guanfacine and a few antidepressants that have been found to work well for ADHD but I don't know much about those.
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The more I read and interact with people like you, the dumber I feel. Thanks. I'll read up.
You’re not dumb, it’s an incredibly complex topic with convoluted and contradictory messaging everywhere. The way that I’ve learned to think about it is that the brain is made up neurons, and they perform specific functions, technically individually but more usefully understood in regional groupings (primarily figured out via fMRI/blood flow studies and lesion experiments). Each neuron’s activity is regulated by spec…
Understandable writing, easily digestible and - for me - thought-provoking. Thanks!
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Generic Adderall Gang here, and in hindsight, I'm surprised at how little of it I need to realize a much better headspace. Makes me wonder if all of that caffeine in my undiagnosed youth was saying something...
I'm worried about my caffeine intake. ADHD diagnosed but never medicated. I've been a heavy coffee drinker since i was a teenager. I'm sitting at 13 double espressos today which is about average. Lately the instant sleepiness post coffee isn't worth the focus, and I'm starting the think medication would be a healthier choice
I still consume some but not for tons of caffeine. Check out some meds. Vyvanse is significantly less "cracky" than Adderall imo.
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In my experience, no. You just get used to it and it does fuck all. Maybe worse even. Adderall seems to take my creativity away entirely and I just feel like a zombie. Theres a host of physical symptoms that come with it to that are not fun to manage: decreased appetite, dehydration, headaches, sleep loss, heart palpatstions. I would say its far better to take it on a needed basis once in a while
Have you tried any other medication? Concerta/Ritalin, Strattera/atomoxetine, or any other non-stimulant medications?
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No I havent, maybe its worth trying. Adderall worked so well for me initially I didnt want to experiment but yeah over time the negatives have outweighed the positives. I mean seriously first day 5mg worked better than 20mg a month or two later I imagine the tolerance thing holds with all drugs so Im surprised people say it works for them long term (maybe placebo, or they're comparing it to withdrawal "Ive been on ad…
I think I know what you mean but the theory, as far as I understand it, is that those initial feelings of stimulant medications aren't meant to last, and a lot of it is technically a side effect For the first few days we can experience significantly increased energy and some euphoria, along with the therapeutic effects. That's a really novel experience at first (which in itself helps ADHD brains focus) so it often wo…
After a while though Im not quite certain what the residual effects were. Maybe slightly more focus, but I still couldn't focus on my work, side projects, hobbies and any increased focus there was went to video games and bad habits.
Perhaps issue is Im beyond bored of my job that nothing can save it and need to make an active effort to be disciplined
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is it not true though that activity/threshholds of dopamine synapses can be globally or semi-globally up and down regulated?
Not true. Down/up regulation happens in areas where (sometimes called) psychoactive substances and/or regulatory nervous signals reach. Substances that cross blood brain barrier still might not reach areas due to lowered blood flow or tissue damage.
can someone build a script that extracts the names of all this stuff like neurotransmitters, messengers, proteins, hormones and visualizes their amounts per metabolism around/at the time of the measured effect/observed behavior and or during the time of conditioning -- when stimulating (chemical, physical, psychological) measures were taken? a table to start with would be fine. please? all that lingo is above my pay-…
https://chatgpt.com/share/6813d85a-4d20-800f-881a-9b6133281d...
I fed it the article and asked for a python sim.