Episode Overview
Podcast: Hacking Your ADHD
Host: William Curb
Guest: Skye Waterson (Unconventional Organization)
Episode: Research Recap with Skye: Hyperfocus in University Students
Date: November 28, 2025
This episode dives into a recent research paper examining the relationship between ADHD symptoms, executive function challenges, and hyperfocus in university students. William and Skye break down the study's methodology, findings, and what they mean for individuals living with ADHD. The discussion explores how hyperfocus manifests, how it can be both a strength and a liability, and strategies for managing focus without always relying on last-minute surges of productivity.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Understanding Hyperfocus in ADHD
[01:59] Skye describes hyperfocus as:
“...a state of intense and narrow attention on a stimulus object or task, along with diminishing awareness of the surroundings and some relationship to potentially increasing cognitive performance, otherwise known as when you're focusing and the world disappears and time disappears and suddenly you're in the zone.”
- Hyperfocus is not just deep concentration—it’s a unique experience often reported by those with ADHD, where extraneous awareness fades.
- Can be beneficial (e.g., racing to finish a paper) or less useful (e.g., getting lost researching socks online).
[03:06] William:
“It's something that a lot of people go, 'hey, this is my ADHD superpower.'... But looking at this in terms of, hey, this is also part of how we're having difficulties with executive function. It's like, this is a interesting subject.”
2. The Research Paper: Approach & Methodology
[04:05] Skye:
- The study surveyed 380 university students (60% female) using self-reported ADHD symptoms—not all were formally diagnosed.
- Executive functioning was measured with the Barkley Executive Functioning Scale (tracking daily struggles).
- Surveys also attempted to distinguish between different types of hyperfocus.
“That was maybe my favorite part of the whole paper was the realization that actually these...surveys that people have been doing to measure hyperfocus, this idea isn’t measuring the same thing.” — Skye [05:01]
3. Hyperfocus vs. Flow: Are They Different?
[05:01] William:
“What really is hyperfocus versus just being very focused? And...hyperfocus versus flow, which are very similar concepts but I think ultimately slightly different...You don’t get into flow about stuff you’re not interested in—so that’s kind of like the big difference for me.”
- The study found a distinction between "hyperfocus" (intense focus regardless of enjoyment) and "reward-related hyperfocus" (intense focus on enjoyable tasks—akin to “flow”).
- Reward-related hyperfocus (flow) is less tied to ADHD symptom severity.
4. Major Findings & Implications
[06:27] William:
“Severity of your ADHD symptoms was correlated with both your hyperfocus and your executive function difficulties...But...reward-related [flow] did not really correlate with [it]...Are we measuring hyperfocus or are we measuring flow?”
[07:04] Skye:
- The more severe the ADHD symptoms, the more hyperfocus episodes, mediated by executive function challenges.
- Degree of executive function issues directly links to hyperfocus occurrence, but not to “flow.”
[08:14] William:
“Is this hyperfocus kind of a precursor symptoms to what else is going on? Is losing...track[ing] my time because I'm too focused...the same could be go for, hey, I’m disorganized because I'm...hyperfocused on one thing, I'm not focused enough on where I’m putting things down...So it’s never going into the short term memory...”
[09:08] Skye (on strengths and weaknesses):
“If it's a strength, it's a strength related to a weakness. According to this research, at least outside of reward related hyper focus, which...we're going to call flow...”
5. Hyperfocus as a Double-Edged Sword
- Hyperfocus enables powerful bursts of productivity, but only when it strikes (often at the eleventh hour).
- Relying on hyperfocus can be risky, leading to cycles of avoidance, stress, and last-minute sprints.
[10:16] William:
“This absolutely can be a strength if you can manage these other parts that come with it and leverage it correctly...But it's something that you need to be aware of this other side...because if you're just completely ignoring it...they do become much more of a problem and makes it much harder to leverage as a strength.”
[11:39] William:
“Especially when you're waiting for it and you're waiting for it and it's not happening because for whatever reason you're lacking. This happened every other time before, but I just not...feeling it today. And it's...What do you do?”
6. Hyperfocus, Deadlines, and “Chasing the Butterfly”
[12:07] Skye:
- Many ADHDers rely on the stress of a near deadline for the dopamine spike that triggers hyperfocus.
- Over time, this pattern trains the brain to wait even longer before hyperfocus kicks in.
- “Chasing the butterfly”: cycling between projects, starting many but finishing few, is another common phenomenon.
7. The Toll of Hyperfocus: Burnout and Borrowed Time
[16:08] William:
“...with hyperfocus is that it's often we're borrowing executive function from ourself, from our future self.”
[16:16] Skye:
“Everyone knows this, like crash after hyperfocus. And it's...you are borrowing from your future self. And the further you dig into those resources, this is how you hit burnout.”
8. Practical Takeaways & Strategies
- Recognizing that hyperfocus is tied to executive functioning struggles may help reframe ADHD experiences.
- Hyperfocus and executive function weaknesses are often two sides of the same coin.
- It’s possible—and healthier—to foster focus by supporting dopamine and memory outside of crisis moments.
- Skye offers a resource:
“You can just message me 'hyperfocus' [on Instagram @unconalorganization] and I will send you a focus flow framework that you can use...” [10:53]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Skye [01:59]: “Hyper focus is...when you’re focusing and the world disappears and time disappears and suddenly you’re in the zone.”
- William [03:06]: “This is my ADHD superpower...but also part of our difficulties with executive function.”
- Skye [05:01]: “The realization that actually these...surveys...aren’t measuring the same thing.”
- William [08:14]: “Is this hyperfocus kind of a precursor symptom to what else is going on?”
- Skye [09:08]: “If it’s a strength, it’s a strength related to a weakness.”
- William [16:08]: “With hyperfocus...you are borrowing from your future self.”
- Skye [16:16]: “Everyone knows this...crash after hyperfocus...this is how you hit burnout.”
Timestamps for Major Segments
- [01:59] – Defining Hyperfocus
- [03:06] – Societal perceptions: superpower or struggle?
- [04:05] – Study methodology: self-reported ADHD, executive functioning, and types of hyperfocus
- [05:01] – Measuring and distinguishing hyperfocus from flow
- [06:27] – Key findings: symptoms, executive function, hyperfocus
- [08:14] – Hyperfocus and its downstream effects on memory and organization
- [09:08] – Hyperfocus: strength linked to weakness
- [12:07] – “Catching the butterfly”: hyperfocus as a last-minute coping strategy
- [14:00] – The “wall of awful” and the role of anxiety-driven hyperfocus
- [16:08] – The cost: borrowing executive function and risk of burnout
Episode Takeaways
- Hyperfocus isn't simply an “ADHD superpower”—it’s often a sign of deeper executive functioning struggles.
- The ability to hyperfocus is often proportional to the severity of ADHD symptoms and executive dysfunction.
- Reward-related hyperfocus (aka “flow”) is distinct and less associated with ADHD symptom severity.
- Relying exclusively on hyperfocus for productivity can be detrimental, leading to cycles of stress, avoidance, and eventual burnout.
- Building intentional strategies for focus—rather than waiting for “the zone”—is healthier and more sustainable.
Further Resources
- Skye’s Focus Flow Framework: Message “hyperfocus” to Skye on Instagram [@unconalorganization] for a practical framework.
- More ADHD tools and support at unconventionalorganization.com
This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the science of ADHD hyperfocus, how it intertwines with day-to-day struggles, and how to reframe it for healthier, more reliable productivity.