My First 5 Things: ADHD Edition
Dopamine Foods
Happy Monday!
Let’s talk about dopamine crashes with ADHD. I have noticed that not a lot of people talk about dopamine crashes outside of acknowledging that they happen. For me, though, a dopamine crash is debilitating. It manifests as severe migraines, inexplicable depression, moodiness (which can devolve into nastiness). It’s hard. Being ADHD isn’t just about being quirky and forgetting shit. At its base level, it’s a dopamine deficiency which impacts every aspect of your daily life.
I have been trying to keep track of my migraines a little better because I have been experiencing them in such a debilitating way. What I have noticed is that my nagging headaches will sometimes disappear with candy, a cute drinky drink, or interaction with my favorite people. Why does that happen? They’re dopamine crashes, not migraines.
Other times, my migraines need 4 ibuprofen, a nap, and (shudders) a fan blowing on me so I don’t become completely incapacitated and losing my vision. This is another reason I have stepped back from teaching full time… losing my vision as I teach through migraines.
There is certainly a learning curve to all of this, and I am trying to be more cognizant of what I need in order to keep my brain doing what it needs to do, especially as I lose the routine of working outside the home. Here are 5 of my TOP dopamine boosters.
Ok, I see that this says Maui Mango, but the first time I bought it, it was called mango sunshine. I just bought this big 200-cup bag of tea because it is the only thing that is getting me through most of my days. I love supporting my local tea shops, but I am currently on a tighter budget than normal so I needed to do the more cost effective thing: buy bulk. If you are looking to buy from smaller shops (please do! They need us), you can purchase Mango Sunshine or Ambika’s Tree. They are all the same teas just different names. And it is heaven. I brew it hot at 200 degrees for about 10-15 minutes. Then I pour it over ice. I almost double the normal amount of tea because it gets watered down by the ice. 12/10.
There is no way for me to drink this and not immediately come back from the dead. It is available on Amazon (linked for convenience), but it is damn expensive there. I, instead, wait for it to come to Martie (please, sign up if you haven’t. The amount of money I have saved shopping for food there has been $1165). On Martie, these boxes of 5 are $3.99. I have bought probably a dozen. I am down to my last can and honestly? Heartbroken! I will buy the Trader Joe’s kind, but it really does pale in comparison.
I love a drink that has a lot of flavor and body to it. All of my drinks of choice are NA. I don’t imbibe often, especially not after that vestibular migraine up in Canada. This lemonade is very lightly carbonated, and the floral flavor is noticeable but not overpowering. I love this, and my brain lights up every time I have it. I used to drink it every Tuesday and Wednesday before work to honor The Morrigan.
Hi, hello, yes… I do go through one of these bags a week. This week it’s been TWO of these bags because my partner is also eating them and then denying it. Sir… I HAVE WATCHED YOU TAKE THEM. I made him buy the second bag, haha.
Here is the truth that will have all of you unfollowing me: I don’t love the strawberry flavor. I don’t get the hype. I never have. That being said, I will eat them because the dopamine deficiency demands sugar. All. Of. It.
The sensory input of Starbursts are pretty unrivaled. The only other candies that compare for my brain are the Nerds Clusters and Laffy Taffy Bites (which I can no longer find in stores, and I am about to buy the 3 pound bag from Amazon 😭).
I often find myself wandering down to the kitchen and grabbing 3-5 to bring back upstairs with me when I need to read, write, or type. I always gain a bunch of weight as a student because I need the sensory input of eating while I am focusing. I can’t do music, movies, shows, etc. I need silence, but I also need more sensory input than sitting. I have found that eating is the best way for me to get that need met.
DISNEY MUSIC
Mainly, the Hercules soundtrack. Listen, this is by far Disney’s best soundtrack. I love a ton of the Disney soundtracks, but Hercules is the best. How can anyone’s brain stay in a dopamine deficiency while listening to The Muses? Truly. Impossible.
Honorable mention to “Magic in the Hamptons” because that is another that pulls my brain out of the depths of dopamine crashes.
SLEEP/REST
Honestly, I am learning to listen to the dopamine crashes when they are too severe. I will just put my tail in bed and snuggle the kittens. Sometimes, we just need to sleep it out. This has actually been very healing. Both my dad and ex would chastise me hard for taking naps. My ex and I were together from ages 17-23, and my depression was at an all time high, and I was sleeping sometimes 18 hours a day in high school, and once I was working and going to school, I was still close to 12-14 hours a day. I naturally need more sleep, and the depression didn’t help at all. Being able to rest and nap in a safe place without judgment from my partner has been amazing. I have slept a ton this summer, and I am still exhausted all the time.
All this to say, please rest. Listen to your body, your brain, your heart.
If you have ADHD, have you been able to identify your dopamine crashes? What helps you? If you are neurotypical, how do you keep your motivation up? What helps you feel energized?
Wishing you well this week! May your life offer what you need in this moment.
With love,
Aventurine ✨
Really interesting read! Thank you 💜