Understanding ADHD: Insights from Neuroscience Expert Andrew Huberman

Richinlife
3 min readJan 11, 2024

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Hello everyone! This is Dio, I’m here to share my journey of navigating ADHD, spiced up with some eye-opening insights from Andrew Huberman, a neuroscience expert from Stanford. As someone who was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 32 and then dived into the world of art while juggling a tech job, I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs. Huberman’s take on ADHD vs. ADD and the brain’s intricate dance has been a game-changer for me, and I’m excited to share it with you.

ADHD vs. ADD: there is a new understanding
One of the most liberating insights I gained from Huberman was that ADHD is not related to intelligence. Having grown up in China and later moving to the United States, I often felt pressured to conform to a certain intellectual standard. But knowing that ADHD does not limit my intelligence was a huge relief. It is empowering to realize that whether it is a standard IQ test or emotional intelligence, ADHD does not set limitations.

The Genetic Tango of ADHD
- I always wondered why I felt so different in my approach to tasks and concentration. Huberman highlights the genetic component of ADHD, revealing how our brain circuits are wired and how they use chemicals differently. It made me realize that my brain isn’t faulty; it’s just playing a different tune.

Intelligence and ADHD: Breaking Myths
One of the most liberating insights I gained from Huberman was that ADHD is not related to intelligence. Having grown up in China and later moving to the United States, I often felt pressured to conform to a certain intellectual standard. But knowing that ADHD does not limit my intelligence was a huge relief. It is empowering to realize that whether it is a standard IQ test or emotional intelligence, ADHD does not set limitations.

Personal Reflections
Reflecting on Huberman's insights has been a journey of self-discovery for me. As I navigate through my remote tech job and delve deeper into my art, I am learning to appreciate the unique wiring of my brain. It feels like I am discovering a hidden layer of myself that has been there all along, just waiting to be understood.

Closing Thoughts
"If you are struggling to understand your ADHD, I hope my story and Huberman's insights offer you some comfort and understanding. Remember, our brains might work differently, but that's what makes us uniquely capable in our own ways."

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