ADHD and the Role of Dopamine

Last month, we discussed the basics of dopamine and common misconceptions about dopamine associated with ADHD. This month, we will talk about how dopamine actually works in the brain, with a little help from Joe Dispenza, C.D. 

Dopamine in the Brain

In his book, You are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter, Dispenza (2014 a) describes how this works. He asks the reader to consider each neuron as a “biocomputer”. When people learn new information, they first have a thought, and this integrates the use of specific cells called, “nerve cells”. Nerve cells are the location where neurotransmitter communication begins.

Neurons: Receiving, Understanding and Sending Signals in Our Nervous System

One type of nerve cell is a “neuron”. Neurons are the nerve cells that receive, understand and send electrical and chemical signals in our nervous system. Neurons use electrical pulses to communicate (Syed, 2009). They consist of many genetic elements used for coding proteins and activating or suppressing gene expression associated with one’s environment and development ( Lunt, 2026).

Synapses are the locations where cells communicate information to one another. Synapses are the gaps between neurons, where the information exchange occurs. When new information is learned, neurotransmitters, such as dopamine are created. Electrons fire and communicate new information after the exchange of information occurs at the synapse (Dispenza, 2014 a).

Strengthening Messages

As long as we think the same types of thoughts, those messages will continue to be strengthened. When groups of neurons fire together (when a thought is new), a protein develops, enters a nerve cell, and eventually moves to the center, at the DNA. Proteins activate genes that help to ensure the structure and function of the body. This leads to the development  of more proteins (Dispenza, 2014 a).

Research has suggested that dopamine is affected by protein development in the brain. One way to work on improving new habits with ADHD would be to work on creating new beliefs about our ADHD symptoms and engage in new behaviors. It is important to continue a new habit that is developed for three weeks prior to deciding it does not work, because that is the amount of time needed for the neural networks to be strengthened and maintained. It is much easier to fall back into “old habits” by simply no longer engaging in a new one (Dispenza, 2014 a).

Trying Something New

So, next time you try a new strategy to manage a symptom of ADHD, try to give the technique at least three weeks before deciding it did not work for you. This means allowing for three weeks after you have gotten to the point where the strategy has been modified so it works best for you. If you are ready to learn more about strategies to help with the management of your ADHD, contact Monarch Counseling in Westerville, Ohio for details.

References

Dispenza, J. (2014a). You are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter. Hay House.

Lunt, M. (2026). Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Brain Development. 

On Becoming a Neuroscientist; Colorado School of Mines. https://colorado.pressbooks.pub/neuroscience/chapter/genetic-and-epigenetic-mechanisms-of-brain-development/ ‌

Syed, N.I. (2009). Neuron: Structure/Function, Cellular/Molecular. In: Binder, M.D., Hirokawa, N., Windhorst, U. (eds) Encyclopedia of Neuroscience. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29678-2_3907