Dr. John Kruse

  • Home
  • Dr. John Kruse

Dr. John Kruse Psychiatrist and author of "Recognizing Adult ADHD: What Donald Trump Can Teach Us About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder"

For more than a half century, lithium has been the standard treatment for bipolar disorder. But long before that, it was...
21/08/2025

For more than a half century, lithium has been the standard treatment for bipolar disorder. But long before that, it was considered a general health tonic. When 7-Up launched more than 95 years ago, it was marketed as the lithiated lemon-lime soda. And just this month, Harvard researchers published a set of compelling studies that low-dose lithium may play an important role in staving off and treating dementia.

Lithium keeps the batteries of your brain running and may stave off dementia.

Iron deficiencies can cause anemia, as well as contributing to developing ADHD and Restless Leg Syndrome. But more rece...
15/08/2025

Iron deficiencies can cause anemia, as well as contributing to developing ADHD and Restless Leg Syndrome. But more recent studies suggest that too much iron later in life may increase the risk of dementia. Fortunately, our body usually does an excellent job of regulating iron levels......

Too little leaves you dangerously anemic, but too much might lead to dementia. Oh, and the balancing act changes as we age.

Weekly Q&A - 12 Aug 2025Join me for my Weekly Q&A at:https://youtube.com/live/TDIAXAQicM8 Livestream every Tuesday at 10...
12/08/2025

Weekly Q&A - 12 Aug 2025

Join me for my Weekly Q&A at:
https://youtube.com/live/TDIAXAQicM8

Livestream every Tuesday at 10:00 am West Coast USA / 1:00 pm East Coast USA / 7:00 am Hawaii / 7:00 pm Central European
www.youtube.com/

*************************
On Tuesday, August 26th I won't be doing a Q & A session. Instead, at the regular time (10:00 am West Coast US) I will be presenting a free Webinar for ADDitude magazine on medications for ADHD. They encourage people to sign up in advance, but you can also just tune in that day.
https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/adhd-treatment-considerations/
***************************

Videos released this week:
- Iron and ADHD
https://youtu.be/_TjelCMAoic

After a 1 minute recap of each video, I’ll be available for questions on these topics or any other related to Mental Health.

- Iron and ADHD: Iron is the most abundant element on earth, but makes up a tiny, but essential part of the human body. Iron is essential for moving oxygen around to tissues (hemoglobin) and in the brain is involved in enzymes that make the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, is essential for MAO activity, and helps build insulating myeline sheaths around axons.

More than two dozen studies in children have associated low iron with increased risk for ADHD. Long term use of stimulant medications appears to normalize iron levels. Iron supplementation has also been shown to decrease ADHD symptoms.

But before reaching for iron supplements, you should also know that iron is intimately implicated in processes of controlled nerve cell death. There also appears to be a correlation between higher than normal accumulations of iron in the basal ganglia, and increased rates of developing dementia.

-----
You can also discuss and ask questions on my Reddit page:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Drjohnkruse

If you have ideas for additional talks, or other feedback, let me know:
drjohnkruse@gmail.com

My Medium page with hundreds of articles on Mental Health and other subjects:
https://dockruse.medium.com
Access to full articles requires paid membership.

Read writing from John Kruse MD, PhD on Medium. Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, gay father of twins, marathon runner, in Hawaii. 200+ ADHD & mental health videos https://www.youtube.com/

Weekly Q&A - 05 Aug 2025Join me for my Weekly Q&A at:https://youtube.com/live/yikvOXzXl0s Livestream every Tuesday at 10...
05/08/2025

Weekly Q&A - 05 Aug 2025

Join me for my Weekly Q&A at:
https://youtube.com/live/yikvOXzXl0s

Livestream every Tuesday at 10:00 am West Coast USA / 1:00 pm East Coast USA / 7:00 am Hawaii / 7:00 pm Central European
www.youtube.com/

Videos released this week:
- Lion’s Mane and ADHD
https://youtu.be/dCBf4P8CUyk

- Mitochondria and ADHD
https://youtu.be/WMbc6Lh72Jo

After a 1 minute recap of each video, I’ll be available for questions on these topics or any other related to Mental Health.

- Lion’s Mane and ADHD: In laboratory tests, lion's mane mushroom protects mitochondria, promotes nerve growth factor, and protects nerve cells. Millions of people are using it to improve brain function, but the human research on it is quite scanty - for mental health just two studies showing it can help with mood and sleep, and three that it might slow cognitive decline in dementia. As of mid 2025 there are no clinical studies of lions mane for ADHD. But side effects and adverse effects appear to be quite uncommon, so many are willing to experiment with it.

- Mitochondria and ADHD: In the last few years, a host of mental health conditions (schizophrenia, depression, autism, dementia) have been attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction. While mitochondrial dysfunction has been proposed to have a role in ADHD, we have somewhat less data than we do for some other conditions. Nevertheless, preliminary evidence has found signs of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and genetic evidence to support a role for mitochondria in contributing to ADHD. We also have some very limited evidence that antioxidants (omega-3 fatty acids, pycnogenol, N-acetyl cysteine) can play a positive role in treating ADHD.

----
On Tuesday, August 26th I won't be doing a Q & A session. Instead, at the regular time (10:00 am West Coast US) I will be presenting a free Webinar for ADDitude magazine on medications for ADHD. They encourage people to sign up in advance, but you can also just tune in that day.

https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/adhd-treatment-considerations/

-----
You can also discuss and ask questions on my Reddit page:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Drjohnkruse

If you have ideas for additional talks, or other feedback, let me know:
drjohnkruse@gmail.com

My Medium page with hundreds of articles on Mental Health and other subjects:
https://dockruse.medium.com
Access to full articles requires paid membership.

Read writing from John Kruse MD, PhD on Medium. Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, gay father of twins, marathon runner, in Hawaii. 200+ ADHD & mental health videos https://www.youtube.com/

Good science is the foundation of good medicine. But many patients don't realize how clinical training for doctors diff...
31/07/2025

Good science is the foundation of good medicine. But many patients don't realize how clinical training for doctors differs from research training for medical scientists. To oversimplify, it means that science prioritizes curiosity, while medicine values closure.

Medicine without science can be batsh*t crazy, but good medicine relies on more than good science.

Weekly Q&A - 29 Jul 2025Join me for my Weekly Q&A at:https://youtube.com/live/QecxTwyzR3g Livestream every Tuesday at 10...
28/07/2025

Weekly Q&A - 29 Jul 2025

Join me for my Weekly Q&A at:
https://youtube.com/live/QecxTwyzR3g

Livestream every Tuesday at 10:00 am West Coast USA / 1:00 pm East Coast USA / 7:00 am Hawaii / 7:00 pm Central European
www.youtube.com/

Videos released this week:
- Science Under Attack
https://youtu.be/mNVqYXHDrMk

- Diagnosing ADHD
https://youtu.be/zoRFV53LpfI

After a 1 minute recap of each video, I’ll be available for questions on these topics or any other related to Mental Health.

- Science Under Attack: The current US administration has repeatedly shown its contempt for and fear of science by attacking scientists and slashing funding for science. Yet science remains one of the few ways for us to be sure that an association between two events is really a cause and effect relationship rather than due to random chance, or some other connection between the two events.

Undermining science doesn't make us smarter, safer, or stronger.

- Diagnosing ADHD: Diagnosing ADHD can't be done from a simple checklist of inattentive and impulsive symptoms. An accurate diagnosis always depends on assessing the context in which symptoms occur, the individual's subjective experience, and whether the symptoms are causing distress or dysfunction or both. The most commonly used diagnostic criteria also omit several symptoms that are found in majorities of individuals with ADHD, particularly problems with time management, and emotional dysregulation.

-----
You can also discuss and ask questions on my Reddit page:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Drjohnkruse

If you have ideas for additional talks, or other feedback, let me know:
drjohnkruse@gmail.com

My Medium page with hundreds of articles on Mental Health and other subjects:
https://dockruse.medium.com
Access to full articles requires paid membership.

Read writing from John Kruse MD, PhD on Medium. Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, gay father of twins, marathon runner, in Hawaii. 200+ ADHD & mental health videos https://www.youtube.com/

The biohackers have moved beyond magic mushrooms to promote the benefits of lion's mane mushrooms. A wealth of laborato...
25/07/2025

The biohackers have moved beyond magic mushrooms to promote the benefits of lion's mane mushrooms. A wealth of laboratory research indicates that molecules in these mushrooms can reduce inflammation, protect nerves, promote mitochondrial function, and even fight cancer. But the human research so far, while mildly supportive that lion's mane can help those with depression, anxiety, and dementia, is incredibly meager and weak.

Biohackers believe that a mushroom used for centuries by Japanese monks to improve focus can help in coping with our modern world. Let’s…

Weekly Q&A - 22 Jul 2025Join me for my Weekly Q&A at:https://youtube.com/live/DGrE6q1nzjM Livestream every Tuesday at 10...
21/07/2025

Weekly Q&A - 22 Jul 2025

Join me for my Weekly Q&A at:
https://youtube.com/live/DGrE6q1nzjM

Livestream every Tuesday at 10:00 am West Coast USA / 1:00 pm East Coast USA / 7:00 am Hawaii / 7:00 pm Central European
www.youtube.com/

Videos released this week:
- Anger and Mental Health
https://youtu.be/B2fITqOihCo

- Smiling and Mental Health
https://youtu.be/qzAARUIhxUw

After a 1 minute recap of each video, I’ll be available for questions on these topics or any other related to Mental Health.

- Anger and Mental Health: Anger arises when we perceive something to be unfair, important, and that we can't do much about it immediately. Once one is aware of their anger, then someone has an opportunity to deal effectively with this. This may involve methods to decrease or eliminate anger, usually by reframing a situation. At other times, it is useful to channel or redirect anger, to fight strategically for what you deem to be fair. Unregulated anger usually triggers anger in response, which tends to escalate and be unproductive.

- Smiling and Mental Health: Genuine smiles signal both socially, and to the self, that one feels happy. Smiling is correlated with better health, greater resistance to infection, and enhanced social connections. Smiling can be contagious. Social, or Duchenne smiles, where the lips curl up but the eyes don't light up, conveys that an emotion other than genuine happiness is being felt.

-----
You can also discuss and ask questions on my Reddit page:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Drjohnkruse

If you have ideas for additional talks, or other feedback, let me know:
drjohnkruse@gmail.com

My Medium page with hundreds of articles on Mental Health and other subjects:
https://dockruse.medium.com
Access to full articles requires paid membership.

Read writing from John Kruse MD, PhD on Medium. Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, gay father of twins, marathon runner, in Hawaii. 200+ ADHD & mental health videos https://www.youtube.com/

Science faces a full frontal assault by political forces. Much of the opposition stems from ignorance about how science ...
17/07/2025

Science faces a full frontal assault by political forces. Much of the opposition stems from ignorance about how science actually works and the good it has created in our daily lives. Find out why science funding cuts matter.

Ignorance about how science works endangers our world

Weekly Q&A - 08 Jul 2025Join me for my Weekly Q&A at:https://youtube.com/live/Cs8BTHGH5z8 Livestream every Tuesday at 10...
07/07/2025

Weekly Q&A - 08 Jul 2025

Join me for my Weekly Q&A at:
https://youtube.com/live/Cs8BTHGH5z8

Livestream every Tuesday at 10:00 am West Coast USA / 1:00 pm East Coast USA / 7:00 am Hawaii / 7:00 pm Central European
www.youtube.com/

**** Next week, July 15th, there will be no live Q & A. Instead, I'm encouraging viewers to use the Reddit channel (link below) to give feedback and ideas about what they enjoy or dislike about the channel, the videos, what they may want to see in the future, or other topics that come to mind. *********

Videos released this week:
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) and ADHD
https://youtu.be/NUSBO_v7bvk

- Sunosi for ADHD?
https://youtu.be/-8mBkwl8Bf4

After a 1 minute recap of each video, I’ll be available for questions on these topics or any other related to Mental Health.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) and ADHD: The ability of MAOIs to boost dopamine and norepinephrine make them appear to be a good fit for ADHD. But only a handful of studies, numbering less than 100 patients have explored the benefits of these drugs for those with ADHD. All of them looked at deprenyl/selegiline, which, in addition to being an MAOI, also is catabolized to methamphetamine and amphetamine. Most MAOIs also require some caution in use due to interactions with other medications and with certain foods.

- Sunosi for ADHD?: Sunosi (solriamfetol) is a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor approved for treating daytime lethargy from narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. Phase III studies support that it can be effective in addressing ADHD symptoms, and FDA approval (as of July 2025) is pending. Whether Sunosi will prove more effective for ADHD than Wellbutrin remains unknown.

-----
You can also discuss and ask questions on my Reddit page:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Drjohnkruse

If you have ideas for additional talks, or other feedback, let me know:
drjohnkruse@gmail.com

My Medium page with hundreds of articles on Mental Health and other subjects:
https://dockruse.medium.com
Access to full articles requires paid membership.

Read writing from John Kruse MD, PhD on Medium. Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, gay father of twins, marathon runner, in Hawaii. 200+ ADHD & mental health videos https://www.youtube.com/

Our world seethes with anger. Anger can be directed towards productive or destructive ends. Learning more about anger c...
06/07/2025

Our world seethes with anger. Anger can be directed towards productive or destructive ends. Learning more about anger can help you understand what you're feeling, and whether it makes sense for you and for society to nourish that anger, or to reframe what you are experiencing.

How to understand and use anger productively, not destructively. A primer for protesters, police and politicians.

Eating a healthy diet helps maintain a healthy body and brain. But many promoters push superfoods as the cure to mental ...
30/06/2025

Eating a healthy diet helps maintain a healthy body and brain. But many promoters push superfoods as the cure to mental health conditions, cancer, or even to extend life. But particularly if the aim is to boost levels of neurotransmitters, there are a number of biologic factors that are likely to constrain the impact diet has on brain functioning.

A deep dive into the first antidepressants, the monoamine oxidase inhibitors, reveals some of the complex interactions between diet, medications, and mental health.

Food is more likely to interfere with medications, rather than act like medications, as shown by why almost nobody uses the oldest class of…

Address

PO Box 38

96780

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dr. John Kruse posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Dr. John Kruse:

Shortcuts

  • Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic?

Share