Understanding ADHD Medication: A Balanced Look at the Science (Dr. Ryan Sultan)

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 focus
• The difference between stimulant and non-stimulant medications
• Why safety and addiction concerns often get misunderstood
• How to approach treatment decisions from an informed place
• How to know if your treatment plan needs adjustment
• The role of therapy, structure, and lifestyle alongside medication

Dr. 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.

About ADHD founders for ADHD founders.

Interesting in working together? You can click here to receive a free bottleneck audio session and learn more about what we do. https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/unstuckaudiosession

Diagnosed with ADHD at the start of her PhD, Skye Waterson spent years researching what actually works and writing about it for thousands of founders. The pattern she kept finding: ADHD business owners don't have a focus problem, they have an operations problem, because the whole business runs through their own head. Now she and her husband, former programmer Robert Waterson, work as fractional COOs for those founders. They find the bottleneck, hire the fix, and build the system that holds.

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