The architecture of the ADHD brain causes reduced levels of dopamine which is the brain’s pleasure chemical. It’s involved in many brain functions like motivation, memory, behavior, thinking, attention, sleep, mood and learning.
Many medications for ADHD increase dopamine in the brain. Its real job may not be in rewards, but in getting us motivated to act to achieve something or avoid something bad. Dopamine spikes occur in soldiers with PTSD when they hear gunfire.
Do you find yourself getting the job done to avoid humiliation? That’s dopamine in action.
Go-getters have higher levels of dopamine in the areas of the brain involved with motivation and reward whereas “slackers” have dopamine in the areas of emotion and risk perception.
Increase your dopamine by achieving small goals!
Claudia
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