Why “Feeling It Work” Is the Wrong Metric for ADHD Medication

Access the full ADHD Masterclass inside The Academy: https://psychscene.co/4tW0KrD In this video, Dr Sanil Rege examines how tonic and phasic dopamine firing shape the neurobiological rationale of ADHD treatment. He outlines how D2- and D1-mediated signalling influence stimulant selection, interpretation of patient-reported response, and the clinical distinction between transient subjective effect and sustained functional improvement. This video provides clinicians with a neurobiological framework for evaluating ADHD treatment through motivation, task engagement, and adaptive functioning rather than short-lived changes in subjective feeling. Chapters: 00:00 – Tonic Dopamine Release 00:09 – D2 Receptors and Parkinson’s Disease 01:13 – Phasic or Burst Firing 01:41 – D1 Receptors and Psychostimulants 03:04 – Long-Acting and Immediate-Release Agents 03:36 – ADHD Treatment Is Not About Feeling 04:19 – Activity Goals and Psychosocial Rehabilitation #ADHD #Dopamine #Psychiatry