348 Too Bored to Function: Why ADHD Brains Would Rather Do Anything Than Be Bored

I Have ADHD Podcast

Kristen Carder

Self-improvement, Health & Fitness, Education, Mental Health

4.8 • 2.8K Ratings

🗓️ 4 November 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ever felt so bored you’d rather do anything — even something you’ll regret — just to avoid that restless, agitated feeling? In this episode, Dr. Marcy Caldwell breaks down why boredom feels like torture, what’s really happening in the brain and body, and why ADHDers crave stimulation (even the bad kind sometimes).

We dig into:

The two types of boredom — apathetic vs. agitated
What the “optimal stimulation zone” actually means
Why boredom spikes stress hormones like cortisol
And practical ways to manage boredom without blowing up your life for excitement

Dr. Caldwell brings her signature mix of neuroscience and real-world wisdom to help us understand — and work with — our restless, stimulation-seeking brains.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This podcast is sponsored by Cure Hydration.
0:02.7	I often joke that I don't just have ADHD.
0:05.5	My taste buds have ADHD as well.
0:07.9	And we can all agree that drinking water is kind of boring.
0:11.2	And listen, there's only so much sparkling water that I can tolerate in a day before my stomach is like,
0:15.1	excuse me, please stop with all the fizz.
0:17.4	That's why I've been loving cure hydration.
0:20.6	Cure is a plant-based, hydrating electrolyte
0:23.1	drink mix with no added sugar. It's clean, delicious, and a super easy way to stay hydrated,
0:28.4	without all of the artificial stuff and without getting bored. I've been looking for something
0:32.5	that actually helps me drink more water, and this is it. It tastes so refreshing. The watermelon
0:37.3	and lemonade flavors are my
0:38.6	current favorites and it hydrates better than water alone. Here's what makes it so cool.
0:43.4	Cure uses the same science-backed formulas that's proven to hydrate as effectively as an IV
0:48.6	drip. So when I'm running around, recording, coaching, carding kids here and there or just
0:52.6	forgetting to drink water because, hello, ADHD, Cure helps me stay on track.
0:57.6	Staying hydrated isn't just about water.
0:59.8	You also need electrolytes, and that's why I love Cure.
1:03.0	It's clean.
1:03.8	It works, and it actually makes me want to drink more.
1:06.7	For I Have ADHD podcast listeners, you can get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com
1:13.0	slash I have ADHD with code I have ADHD.
	...

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