EPISODE 18 “EARLY ADHD HUMANS KEPT THE SPECIES ALIVE”

In this episode: Jen talks about a scientific study published in early 2024 that found that early humans with ADHD-like tendencies (impulsivity, an urge for risk taking, and an inability to stay still for too long) are a big reason why our species not only survived but developed certain levels of survival intelligence. In hunter-gatherer societies, ADHD brains flourished and evolved as opposed to the modern world where having ADHD is seen as a disadvantage.  Jen also talks about the Survivor contestant who was voted off because of her ADHD. For exclusive podcast content join the You Are A Lot podcast patreon at patreon.com/ALOTADHDPOD for just $5 a month. You can sign up for a 7 Day Free Trial today! Click here to write a 5-star review of the podcast Visit the “You Are A Lot” (an adhd podcast) webpage Send an email to the podcast at alotadhdpod at gmail dot com Follow Jen on Instagram Follow Jen on Tik Tok For More Info on Jen SOURCES USED FOR THIS EPISODE: ADHD Might Have Been An Evolutionary Advantage (article) - The Guardian ADHD/Hyperactive Hunger-Gatherers (article) - Heathline The Evolution of Cognitive Diversity (study) - National Library of Medicine Attention Deficits Linked With Proclivity to Forage (study) - Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Om Podcasten

In my everyday life I’m a writer and in my every-waking-second-of-my-life, I’m an adult with ADHD. I was diagnosed in my 30’s and did nothing about it and re-visited my diagnosis in my 40’s and am now with therapy, medication, coaching, and reading everything that the experts write – I’m finally coping with ADHD in what I think of as a daily recovery. On this podcast I’ll talk about my personal experiences with all of those behaviors, thought patterns, and feelings that I’ve lived with never knowing it was ADHD. I’ll also pass along what the top experts in the field of ADHD are saying – putting together research that you may not do for yourself. I want to help spread the word that ADHD is not just about productivity and focus but it’s a lack of Executive Function which impacts every aspect of our lives including relationships, and even our self-esteem. If you have been doctor diagnosed with ADHD, self-diagnosed, are ADHD curious or people have often told you, “Um, you’re kind of a lot”– this podcast is for you.