ADHD and the Truth About Dopamine

The misconceptions about ADHD and the function of dopamine are more prevalent than ever. As a psychologist, it is my responsibility to provide accurate and truthful information in educating the public. 

Understanding Neurotransmitters

Although I am not a neuropsychologist, I have a basic understanding of neurotransmitters. This basic understanding allows me to share research-based findings and correct misconceptions about ADHD and dopamine. These beliefs seem to be widespread among the general public, who do not have formal, advanced educational training in these areas. This is definitely not true of all publications, but it seems to be increasingly common for me to hear this misinformation.

Misunderstandings Associated with ADHD

Neurologists, psychiatrists, doctoral-level psychologists, and physicians who have training and experience with ADHD have a general understanding of the neurons associated with ADHD. Unfortunately, over the past 50+ years, misunderstandings associated with ADHD and a perceived “lack of dopamine” have now become topics of everyday discussions about ADHD. All you need to do is check out some of the popular books and podcasts on the topic of ADHD, written by people who do not have any formal or advanced training in this area. It’s as simple as not believing everything you read or hear and if those statements are made, to ensure they can be backed by research. Next, we will explore false information about ADHD and dopamine found in books and other publications. 

Misconceptions about ADHD and Dopamine

Misconceptions about ADHD and the role of dopamine come from a variety of sources. The misinformation is so prevalent, that if one were to use AI to write about ADHD and dopamine, oftentimes there are references to these ideas. The general public seems to believe ADHD is associated with not having enough dopamine. You may have heard references to “chasing dopamine”, “getting a dopamine hit”, “needing dopamine”, and finding a need to engage in activities to “get more dopamine”. All of these phrases are inaccurate, because dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is “released”. Research associated with the link between ADHD and dopamine began over 50 years ago, and to date, no findings have determined a positive relationship between ADHD and low dopamine levels.

Reference:

Madhusoodanan, J. (2026). Untangling the connection between dopamine and ADHD. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00094-x