Revisiting Think Thursday: Neurodivergence and The Brain's Energy Economy

In this revisited Think Thursday episode, Molly explores ADHD through the lens of the brain’s energy economy—how neurodivergent brains may use mental fuel differently, and why that matters for motivation, behavior change, and alcohol.

You’ll learn why routine tasks can feel more costly for an ADHD brain, why novelty and stimulation can feel energizing, and how differences in dopamine and norepinephrine may help explain the connection between ADHD and substance use.

Molly also shares six practical ways to support the ADHD brain:

Externalize memoryReduce frictionUse novelty as a leverBreak tasks into smaller stepsTry body doublingProtect sleep, movement, and downtimeThe goal isn’t to make a neurodivergent brain work like a neurotypical one. It’s to understand the brain you have and build strategies that work with it.

Choose peace.

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