ADHD & How Anyone Can Improve Their Focus | Huberman Lab Podcast #37

Attentional Blinks

Attentional blinks are moments when our focus temporarily shuts off, causing us to miss information. Andrew Huberman explains this phenomenon using the example of a "Where's Waldo" task, where finding one target can prevent us from noticing another nearby 1. This is particularly relevant for individuals with ADHD, who experience more frequent attentional blinks, leading to over-focusing on certain elements while missing others.

If you see something that you're looking for, or you're very interested in something, you are definitely missing other information in part because you're over focusing on something.

--- Andrew Huberman

Huberman also discusses how actual blinks, the kind involving eyelids, can reset our perception of time, acting like a "take" in a movie 2.

   

Time Perception

Time perception is a critical aspect of focus, especially for those with ADHD. Andrew Huberman notes that individuals with ADHD often struggle with time management, running late or underestimating task durations 3. This is linked to dopamine levels, which influence both blinking and time perception.

When dopamine levels go up, people tend to overestimate how long something lasted, why? Because they are processing time more finely it's slow motion mode.

--- Andrew Huberman

Training that involves controlling blinks and visual focus can enhance attention, offering a potential solution for improving focus in both children and adults with ADHD 4.