Surely, improved healthspan would involve improved mental health. In the context of longevity I often see references being made to improvement in depression, bipolar disorder, probability of acquiring alzheimers, dementia, etc. But do you know if ADHD would be relevant here? What longevity interventions (if any) are also known to improve ADHD symptoms, apart from exercise and fish oil?
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It’s most likely negatively associated (people with ADHD often overeat, are heavier, and are more impulsive with food/lifestyle choices). It also wrecks income/expected earning potential.
I’m ADHD myself (in fact, no one on the planet is more ADHD and longevity-obsessed than I am) and am probably the exception (I don’t get sugar cravings and can tolerate the consumption of any vegetable). I do overeat, but the only things I overeat are nuts/vegetables. I also can’t exercise for long periods of time b/c it’s boring af but I always run from point A to point B. ADHD also = breadth and breadth means you are more likely to “know everything” than other people (like, I know all the longevity people/sites/tips more so than almost anyone). I can’t be trusted to do anything for long periods of time but I guess that’s not the most important thing
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Not so sure of this. Generally speaking yes - physical health problems are probably a comorbidity for all sorts of mental health problems - so probabilistically speaking, the healthier you are physically, the healthier you are likely to be mentally. But - I’ve not seen anything related to ADHD. And - as Alex suggests - ADHD is probably unhelpful in longevity - harder to maintain a regular workout schedule, harder to maintain a medication regimen, etc.
But, perhaps some of neurochemistry improves with some of the compounds involved with longevity, I just haven’t seen it yet.
Generally ADHD would seem to be contra-indicated for longevity (the worse the ADHD the worse the longevity, just due to the impulsivity) but then again, ADHD people tend to be much more active than the general populace so that could help a lot… so, like all these things its likely complex and personal.
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I identify as an ADHD too. Never tried getting diagnosed clinically but yes it’s a struggle. I can obsessively consume, process, and analyze information for any duration of time when it is interesting to me, but sometimes find it a Herculean challenge to do things which are very simple (no matter how critical) when I am not “feeling it.” Blocking my impulsivity just makes it worse, so I need to keep tricking myself into redirecting impulses into hopefully beneficial directions.
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If you look hard enough mTOR is everywhere!
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And here is a more ADHD specific review of the scientific literature with respect to wnt/mTOR signaling.
This doesn’t mean that Rapamycin is the answer, but (and as someone with ADHD myself and therefore prone to taking risks) it could be part of it.
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