Research & Discoveries

ADHD Medications May Not Improve Attention, Study Suggests

Study of nearly 6,000 children shows Ritalin and Adderall activate the brain’s reward centers rather than attention networks, challenging long-held beliefs.
ADHD Medications May Not Improve Attention, Study Suggests
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Rachel Ann T. Melegrito
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For decades, doctors believed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications like Ritalin and Adderall worked by sharpening a person’s focus. They may have been wrong.

A study suggests these drugs actually work by making tasks feel more rewarding—basically tricking the brain into caring about homework, chores, and other mundane activities.

Rachel Ann T. Melegrito
Rachel Ann T. Melegrito
Author
Rachel Melegrito worked as an occupational therapist, specializing in neurological cases. Melegrito also taught university courses in basic sciences and professional occupational therapy. She earned a master's degree in childhood development and education in 2019. Since 2020, Melegrito has written extensively on health topics for various publications and brands.