What Kinds of Brain Activities Are Best for ADHD?

There is only a limited amount of information available about the factors that lead to the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms of impulsivity, inattention, and trouble with organizing.1 On the other hand, there is data that points to a dopamine shortage being a factor. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is produced in the brain and has an important role in the regulation of behavior, mood, and movement.2

Stimulant drugs, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate), are frequently prescribed by medical professionals for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These drugs contribute to an increase in the amount of dopamine found in the brain. What if, on the other hand, there was a technique to boost concentration and attention span that was completely natural?

Dopamine levels can be increased and the disease can be treated more effectively if individuals with ADHD transform their regular routines into mental challenges. You should know the following information on how exercising your brain can assist with ADHD.

Exercises For Your Brain

The majority of medical professionals are in agreement that there is no "cure" for ADHD. Instead, individuals who have ADHD can regulate their symptoms via the use of medication. Additionally, new skills can help enhance organizational skills and attention spans. However, the majority of people who are affected by this syndrome either outgrow it by the time they reach adulthood or carry it with them throughout their whole lives.

Brain exercises might also be beneficial in this regard. Workouts that challenge both the mind and the body may help increase brain mass and the number of neural connections. People can encourage the formation of new neurons by participating in activities that require the development of new abilities and the solving of problems. The more neurons that are activated, the more connections there will be in regions of the brain that are lacking in dopamine.

One such investigation included the participation of 36 people and was published in the year 2018 in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. The results of the EEG were used by the researchers in order to evaluate the Attention Training Technique (ATT).

The Attention Training Technique (ATT) is a mental exercise in which participants listen to and concentrate on a variety of noises. You may be hearing the sounds from a great distance or from quite near by, and you could be hearing both at the same time. People who suffer from ADHD can benefit from ATT since it is designed to teach them how to better regulate their attention.

The researchers discovered that a single dosage of ATT led to a considerable boost in the areas of the brain that are known to have a role in top-down attentional and executive control. This was the consequence of a large increase in the activity levels of the regions.

Get Active If You Want Real Results.

Exercise, a combination of mental and physical activity, is another one of the finest ways to grow those brain muscles, and it includes the following exercises:

Dopamine levels are raised by exercise on its own, which may boost focus for several hours after the activity is over. Karate, Taekwondo, Dance, and Yoga are examples of such activities. However, when people combine the physical activity with an intense mental focus, they can notice even more good outcomes.

Homework completion, academic achievement, and overall classroom readiness are all improved when students participate in martial arts like Taekwondo. On the other hand, students who study martial arts have been shown to have better behavior in the classroom.

But You Shouldn’t Rule Out the Practice of Traditional Medicine

Some of the hypotheses are supported by research. But as of December 2022, there have been no conclusive studies to indicate that mental exercise may "cure" attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In an interview with Health, David Rabiner, PhD, a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, said.

Medicine and behavioral therapy are the only two types of therapies that have been shown to have any level of credibility, according to Rabiner.

According to Rabiner, however, there have been trials with neurofeedback that have shown encouraging results. Electrodes are attached to a person’s scalp in a painless manner during the controversial therapy known as neurofeedback. The frequency of their brain is measured by the electrodes. Through the use of television, the computer, and music, the individual is guided through a process that teaches them to regulate their brain waves by instructing them to bring about the desired result on the screen.

For instance, one study conducted in 2019 and published in PLoS One looked at the medical records of 172 children diagnosed with ADHD. The researchers had the youngsters participate in three separate sessions of training based on a brain-computer interface (BCI) per week for a total of eight weeks. After participating in the attention training program on the computer for at least 24 hours, the youngsters showed an improvement in their symptoms of inattention.

That technology has been promoted to consumers by several businesses. For instance, SmartBrain Technologies offers for sale a neurofeedback-based video gaming system that can be used in the comfort of one’s own home.

Brief Summary

Medication has traditionally been considered to be the primary treatment modality for ADHD. However, there are some medical professionals who view medicine as a short-term solution. The dosage must be adjusted on an ongoing basis by healthcare professionals, and some patients have unpleasant side effects.

There is some evidence to suggest that engaging in mental activities might help regulate the symptoms of ADHD. Video games and other computer-based interfaces can be used to help people with ADHD carry out the aforementioned activities.