Improve Focus with Behavioral Tools & Medication for ADHD | Dr. John Kruse

Andrew Huberman

Mar 10, 2025

Episode description

My guest is Dr. John Kruse, M.D., Ph.D., a psychiatrist specializing in treating people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We discuss the many stimulant and nonstimulant ADHD medications available, covering both their potential benefits and risks. We also explore behavioral approaches to managing ADHD, the key role of maintaining a consistent sleep-wake schedule, and the impact of exercise, fish oil supplementation, and video games on ADHD. Additionally, we examine the genetic and environmental factors contributing to the rise in adult and child ADHD diagnoses and offer various options to consider if you or someone you know is struggling with focus.

Read the full episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/wJDhOoO

*Thank you to our sponsors*
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman
Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman
Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman

*Follow Huberman Lab*
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab
X: https://x.com/hubermanlab
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman
Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com
Newsletter: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter

*Dr. John Kruse*
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJohnKruse
Medium: https://dockruse.medium.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJohnKruse
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kruse-40554018a

*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Dr. John Kruse
00:02:11 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
00:05:37 Genetics & Environment; COVID Pandemic & ADHD Diagnoses
00:11:43 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Joovv
00:14:26 ADHD, Interest & Careers
00:20:40 Social Media & Distractibility; ADHD & Lifespan Effect
00:27:39 Hyperfocus, Flow States
00:33:45 Tools: 4 Essential Behaviors for ADHD; Regular Meal Schedule
00:41:06 Sponsor: AG1
00:42:21 Tool: Regular Sleep Timing; Stimulants & Sleep
00:48:06 Insomnia; Tools: Bedtime Structure, Exercise, Phones, Breathing
00:52:30 Nighttime Waking Up; Cyclic Sighing
00:56:35 Exercise; Addiction, Risk, Kids & Stimulants; Catecholamines & Focus
01:04:32 Ritalin, Stimulants, Amphetamines; Amphetamine-Induced Psychosis & Risks
01:16:46 Sponsor: LMNT
01:18:03 Adult ADHD & Medications; Stimulants & Cardiovascular Risk?
01:26:06 Adult ADHD Medication Choices, Psychosis, Cannabis
01:33:49 ADHD Symptoms, Nicotine; Caffeine, Energy Drinks, L-Theanine
01:43:28 Fish Oil, Cardiac Effects & ADHD, Tool: Fish Oil Dose, EPA vs DHA
01:49:38 Sponsor: Mateina
01:51:04 Gut Microbiome
01:52:56 ADHD & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Tool: Task List System
01:57:52 Video Games, Neurofeedback, ADHD Benefit?, Tool: Technology Restriction
02:02:26 Guanfacine, Clonidine, Hypertension, Effects & Timeframe
02:10:13 Modafinil, History & Forms, Dependence
02:19:02 Drug Holidays; Short- vs Long-Acting Drugs, Addiction, Vyvanse
02:28:56 Time Perception, ADHD, Circadian Rhythm Disruption, Phototherapy
02:35:39 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

#HubermanLab #Science #Health #ADHD

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Beware caffeine variability in Starbucks drinks

A study at the University of Florida found a three-fold difference in the caffeine content of the exact same Starbucks drink purchased on different days.

#coffee

#study

Leverage interest-driven focus in ADHD for task engagement

The ADHD brain is described as an interest-driven brain, in contrast to a non-ADHD brain which is importance-driven, explaining the difficulty with boring but necessary tasks.

#ADHD

#cognition

Address ADHD to improve life expectancy by 10 years

A child diagnosed with ADHD has a life expectancy that is approximately 10 years shorter than their non-ADHD peers, a reduction on par with diabetes or major depression.

#ADHD

#lifespan

Address daytime arousal to resolve insomnia issues

For at least 90% of people with insomnia, the issue is not a faulty sleep system but rather the failure of the daytime arousal system to shut off properly at night.

#insomnia

#sleep

Test and regulate circadian rhythm to address ADHD symptoms

An intriguing idea is that ADHD and other focus deficits may be the consequence of a misregulated circadian rhythm, which can be tested and potentially fixed.

#ADHD

#circadian

Practice cyclic sighing to reduce nighttime urination

Dr. Cruise shares his personal experience that doing five minutes of cyclic sighing before bed almost completely eliminated his need to wake up during the night to urinate.

#sleep

Normalize addiction risk in kids with ADHD through stimulant medications

Counterintuitively, putting children with ADHD on stimulant medications has been shown to normalize their risk of developing substance abuse problems later in life.

#ADHD

#stimulant

Experience smooth effects with Vyvanse for ADHD management

The ADHD medication Vyvanse is a pro-drug activated by red blood cells, resulting in a slow, even release that users often describe as 'smooth' and less jarring than other stimulants.

#ADHD

#stimulant

Recognize amphetamine psychosis risk with ADHD medications

Amphetamine-based ADHD drugs like Adderall carry a 1-in-500 risk of inducing a psychosis that can continue for weeks or months even after stopping the medication.

#ADHD

#side-effects

Boost cognition with Modafinil beyond motivation

A sophisticated study suggests that Modafinil may directly boost cognitive functions, whereas the benefits of amphetamines may come more from boosting motivation.