Alcohol Minimalist: Mindful Drinking & Behavior Change25 Syys 2025

Think Thursday: Neurodivergence & The Brain's Energy Economy

In this Think Thursday episode, Molly explores ADHD through the lens of the brain’s energy economy. Drawing from personal experience and neuroscience, she explains why ADHD brains spend fuel differently than neurotypical brains, why tasks can feel either draining or energizing, and how understanding this difference can replace frustration with compassion.

Listeners will learn how differences in dopamine and norepinephrine signaling impact executive function and reward systems, why ADHD increases vulnerability to addiction, and which practical strategies can help conserve and redirect energy for greater clarity and peace.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The difference between neurotypical and neurodivergent brains
Why the brain is such an energy hog, and how ADHD changes the budget
How dopamine and norepinephrine signaling affect motivation and regulation in ADHD
Why people with ADHD are more vulnerable to alcohol addiction
Six practical strategies for conserving and redirecting ADHD brain energy

Key Quote

“ADHD isn’t laziness or lack of willpower. It’s a different energy economy where some tasks are overpriced, others are deeply discounted, and fuel leaks can happen even when you’re not doing anything.”

Resources and References

Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment
Volkow, N. D. et al. (2009). Dopamine in ADHD and its relationship to substance use disorders. Biological Psychiatry
Research on the Default Mode Network and ADHD (Journal of Attention Disorders)
Previous Think Thursday episodes: Understanding Dopamine & How to Stabilize It, The Neuroscience of New Habit Formation

★ Support this podcast ★

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(375)

Alcohol & Aging with Janet Gourand from Tribe Sober

Join my private FB group Alcohol Minimalists here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/changeyouralcoholhabitHas this podcast helped you? How about leaving a review: ItunesFollow me on Instagram: @Alcoh...

21 Heinä 202138min

Alcohol & Nutrition

14 Heinä 202140min

Special Episode: Looking Ahead to the Future

Join my private FB group Alcohol Minimalists here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/changeyouralcoholhabit Has this podcast helped you? How about leaving a review: Itunes Follow me on Instagram: @Alc...

7 Heinä 202116min

Waiting Until You Are Ready to Change your Relationship with Alcohol

Join my private FB group Alcohol Minimalists here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/changeyouralcoholhabit Has this podcast helped you? How about leaving a review: Itunes Follow me on Instagram: @Alc...

30 Kesä 202127min

Let Go & Be Free: 100 Daily Affirmations for Adult Children of Alcoholics with Ron Vitale

Join my private FB group Alcohol Minimalists here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/changeyouralcoholhabit Has this podcast helped you? How about leaving a review: Itunes Follow me on Instagram: @Alc...

23 Kesä 202137min

Six Keys to Changing Your Relationship with Alcohol

Join my private FB group Alcohol Minimalists here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/changeyouralcoholhabit Has this podcast helped you? How about leaving a review: Itunes Follow me on Instagram: @Alc...

16 Kesä 202126min

Alcohol & Your Liver

9 Kesä 202126min

Changing to Thrive with Dr. James and Dr. Janice Prochaska, Ph.D

Join my private FB group Alcohol Minimalists here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/changeyouralcoholhabit Has this podcast helped you? How about leaving a review: Itunes Follow me on Instagram: @Alc...

2 Kesä 202135min