Why does caffeine tend to not affect people with ADHD, like it does with neurotypical people? For example why some ADHD people can drink 3 cups of coffee, then go straight to sleep.

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Why does caffeine tend to not affect people with ADHD, like it does with neurotypical people? For example why some ADHD people can drink 3 cups of coffee, then go straight to sleep.

In: Biology

4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

So the exact science isn’t exactly well documented. From everything I/my family has found in the past, it’s similar to how most of the regular ADHD medications work. They ARE all mostly stimulants after all. Anyway what I’ve seen is that while it does serve as a general stimulant, caffeine also helps to stimulate the part of the brain in control of things like impulse control and attention enough to overpower any more detrimental effects it may have.

Now as far as whether that “works” or is gonna vary on a case-by-case basis. If you’re truly someone wanting a solution, I’d suggest speaking with a medical professional about options. If you want drinking coffee in the morning works, then great. It seemed to have for me. It might not work for someone else.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Would this work the same with autism? I don’t have ADHD, but I am on the spectrum and coffee simply does not energize me at all. I can drink 6 cups and go straight to bed.

Anonymous 0 Comments

You are asking “why does a chemical effect on cognition impact people with abnormal cognition different than it does normal people?”

The question kind of answers itself. If your brain chemistry is different, you react to brain altering chemicals differently as a direct result.

It would be like a diabetic asking why non-diabetic people don’t need insulin shots after eating a candy bar.

Many stimulant type drugs have the opposite effect in ADHD brains. The primary medications for ADHD are stimulants, which is why you would hear cases of false diagnosis to fuel drug rings, or kids in school selling their prescriptions to make some cash flow (often you hear about it after someone ODs).

Anonymous 0 Comments

Adhd people already are in a constant state of excess mental simulation, and caffeine basically exhausts the brain faster which allows for sleep. But it’s not good sleep though. Your body will still be caffeinated so you will be more restless and won’t have nearly as good as sleep as if you weren’t caffeinated.

Am someone with adhd.