Understanding ADHD Medication: A Balanced Look at the Science

ADHD medication can be a controversial topic online. Is it safe? Does it change who you are? What does the science actually say?In this episode, Skye talks with Dr. Ryan Sultan, psychiatrist, researcher, and founder of Integrative Psychiatry in NYC, about what medication does in the brain and what decades of studies reveal about its effects. This is not medical advice - it’s a clear, evidence-based conversation to help you understand your options.What we cover:How ADHD medication affects dopamine and focusThe difference between stimulant and non-stimulant medicationsWhy safety and addiction concerns often get misunderstoodHow to approach treatment decisions from an informed placeHow to know if your treatment plan needs adjustmentThe role of therapy, structure, and lifestyle alongside medicationDr. Ryan Sultan, MD is a double board-certified psychiatrist, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia, and the Founder & Medical Director of Integrative Psychiatry in Chelsea, NYC, and Miami, FL. He leads NIH-funded research on ADHD and comorbidities and has published in JAMA, The Journal of Adolescent Health, and JAACAP. Clinically, he works with children and adults navigating conditions like anxiety, depression, and substance use.Medical Disclaimer:This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.Skye Waterson is not a medical doctor and does not make treatment recommendations.Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about diagnosis, medication, or treatment for ADHD or any other condition.P.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.

Ever feel restless in a meeting or line and want to bolt? That’s not impatience, it’s delay aversion.In this Research Recap with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD, Skye explores new research showing how delay aversion connects boredom, frustration, and inattention in ADHD. Together they dig into how the brain’s reward system makes waiting harder and what you can do to make it easier.What we cover:What delay aversion actually means for ADHDWhy ADHD brains overvalue instant rewardsThe neuroscience behind frustration and focusHow boredom fuels distraction and impulsive behaviorStrategies to make waiting time more productiveWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channelP.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.

World-champion habits aren't just for athletes - they're the secret weapon for ADHD executives juggling chaos and big ambitions.In this episode, Skye chats with James Laughlin, 7-time world champion musician, bestselling author of Habits of High Performers, and host of the top-ranked Lead on Purpose podcast. James shares how he suspected ADHD tendencies and worked with Skye to build systems for focus, while unpacking the 7 core habits from his book that help high achievers cut through distractions and deliver elite results.From rewiring limiting beliefs to mastering priorities, this episode is packed with actionable tools for ADHD founders chasing sustainable success without burnout.What we cover:Why clarity is the ADHD founder's ultimate starting point (and how to avoid shiny object syndrome)Rewiring belief systems that sabotage ambitionWhy high performers say "no" more - and how it frees up deep workMotivation multipliers: Dopamine strategies and rewards for starting (not just finishing)No-shortcuts strategies for long-term winsDownload James’ Free Success Planner: jjlaughlin.com/plannerAbout James LaughlinJames Laughlin is a global keynote speaker, mental skills coach to pro athletes, and bestselling author who equips leaders for elite performance. A history-making team captain and trusted mental skills coach to professional athletes, James brings proven tools to the world’s top performers. He also hosts the #1-ranked Lead on Purpose podcast, where he interviews prime ministers, Formula 1 coaches, and best-selling authors to explore the habits behind world-class performance.Links :Purchase a copy of Habits of High Performers here -  www.thehabitbook.comConnect with James on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/James' podcast - https://go.pddr.app/LOPFollow James on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/P.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.

Can exercise really compete with medication or therapy for managing ADHD symptoms?In this Research Recap with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD, Skye and Will break down new findings on how exercise supports emotional regulation and anxiety reduction in ADHD, with results that may surprise you.What we cover:Why exercise affects both anxiety and attentionWhat happens in the ADHD brain during movementHow consistency rewires your stress responseThe difference between physical and emotional fatigueWhat researchers still do not know yetWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channelP.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.

AI is redefining work, but for ADHD founders, the question isn’t whether to use it, it’s how.In this episode, Skye sits down with Ryan Brazzell, entrepreneur, founder of Assistant Launch, and system/AI strategist who helps founders “bend time” using systems and executive support. Ryan has built and scaled multiple 7- and 8-figure companies by applying AI, systems thinking, and radical delegation.Together they dig into how AI can support ADHD brains - reducing overwhelm, automating decision fatigue, and freeing up mental space - and where the danger lies in turning it into another distraction.What we cover:Why ADHD brains are drawn to AI tools, and when they backfireHow Ryan uses AI + systems to reclaim focus and executionPractical ways to delegate routine tasks to AI without losing controlThe subtle traps of veneer automation vs real system designWhat AI means for the future of work and focus in ADHD entrepreneursP.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.

Why does time blindness show up so early in life?Welcome to another episode in our Research Recap series, co-hosted with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD.In this episode, Skye and Will unpack a study of preschoolers in Hong Kong, showing how time perception, working memory, and delay aversion already affect early academic skills.What we cover:Why ADHD symptoms in preschoolers are hard to spot but still matterWhy time perception was the newest and most revealing testWhat frustration tasks reveal about emotional regulationHow working memory predicts later academic successHow these findings could shape future ADHD supportWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channelP.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.

Dr. Jacquelyne Read, a chemistry professor and ADHD trailblazer, joins Skye to reveal how she transformed her postdoc struggles into a tenure-track triumph and a top publication award. Discover the actionable systems like breaking down overwhelming tasks and mastering prioritization that helped her thrive in academia's high-pressure world. Perfect for ADHD executives and founders looking to turn their big ideas into real results. P.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.

Why are women still diagnosed with ADHD years later than men?Welcome to the next episode in our Research Recaps series, co-hosted with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD.In this episode, Skye and Will unpack one of the largest ADHD studies ever conducted, looking at more than 85,000 people in Sweden. The results show women are still being diagnosed almost four years later than men, with serious consequences for mental health and access to support.What we cover:Why Swedish women are diagnosed nearly four years later than menHow cultural stereotypes about ADHD still affect diagnosisThe hidden cost of delayed diagnosis, including anxiety and depressionWhy masking makes ADHD harder to spot in womenWhat this research means for the future of ADHD awareness and careWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channelP.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.

Why can you plan your day perfectly, then forget everything the second something stressful happens?Welcome to the next episode in our Research Recaps series, co-hosted with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD.In this episode, Skye and Will explore the science behind hot and cold executive functions, and what they mean for how ADHD brains make decisions, remember tasks, and stay calm under pressure.We also break down a fascinating (but early-stage) study using brain stimulation to improve executive function in ADHD, and why your brain might work very differently depending on your emotional state.What we cover:What “hot” and “cold” executive functions really mean, and why they matterWhy you forget your keys more often when you’re running lateThe surprising way emotion hijacks logic in ADHD decision-makingA look at brain stimulation research, and why it’s not ready for prime timeHow emotional states affect strategy use, productivity, and self-controlWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channelP.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.

In this episode, Skye is joined by Matt Verlaque, SaaS founder, entrepreneur, and author, to unpack how to scale a business when your brain is wired for big ideas and fast starts, but struggles with structure.From leading startups to building founder-focused systems, Matt shares the powerful rhythms, habits, and metrics that have helped hundreds of founders go from feeling overwhelmed to fully in control of their businesses.What we cover:The 5 numbers every ADHD founder actually needs to trackHow to scale without nuking your team or yourselfMatt’s system for turning random thoughts into repeatable strategyChaos management for the hyperactive executive Family, boundaries, and surviving the startup tornadoConnect with Matt:Follow Matt on Instagram: @mattverlaqueExplore The Precision Method: Precision.coCheck out the bestselling book Software as a Science: Unlock Limitless Recurring Revenue Without Losing Control. Co-authored with Dan Martell, Johnny Page, and Marcel Petitpas: softwarebook.comP.S. If you feel like the bottleneck in your business and life feels like chaos, click here to apply for a call with me. We’ll discuss your struggles and explore systems to support you in growing without the overwhelm.