ADHD drugs don’t work the way we thoughtADHD drugs may help kids focus by waking up the brain, not by fixing attention itself.
Date: December 29, 2025
Source: Washington University in St. Louis
Summary:
ADHD stimulants appear to work less by sharpening focus and more by waking up the brain. Brain scans revealed that these medications activate reward and alertness systems, helping children stay interested in tasks they would normally avoid. The drugs even reversed brain patterns linked to sleep deprivation. Researchers say this could complicate ADHD diagnoses if poor sleep is the real underlying problem.
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Source:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225235942.htm
