Valuing Emotions in Education - the Neurodivergent Brain on Drugs Discussion #1
Combining stigmatized topics often leads to isolation and marginalization of the community affected. There has always been an intersection of neurodivergent brains and drugs, however, the community has been researched and treated as the problem, their lived experiences devalued, and relative public education and choices have been restricted. This blog post is a meta-analysis of a group activity created by participants in the 2024 Neurodivergent Brain on Drugs LIVE discussion on 9/29/24 highlighting the critical need for more community resources and public education for this population.
Discussion board created during the LIVE Neurodivergent Brain on Drugs discussion where participants were asked to share how they felt upon learning and uncovering more about the intersection of neurodivergence and cannabis, psychedelics, and pharmaceutical sciences.
Giving Our Community Space to be Heard
When we talk about the intersection of neurodivergent brains and drug use—whether it's ADHD medication, cannabis, or other substances—the conversation often feels marginalized, misunderstood, and clouded by stigma. For years, neurodivergent communities have been treated as "the problem," with their lived experiences devalued and public education on these topics restricted by political and social barriers.
In the Neurodivergent Brain on Drugs live discussion on September 29, 2024, participants were asked to reflect on how they felt after the session by writing their thoughts on sticky notes under the categories "mad," "sad," or "glad." This simple exercise revealed the deep emotional impact of living at the intersection of neurodivergence and drug use, and the critical need for better resources and public understanding.
It’s Frustrating Having to Constantly Defend Yourself
Many participants expressed frustration at how little is understood about neurodivergent brains and the substances they interact with. One participant shared, "It makes me mad that so much knowledge about all of this is obfuscated from the public for mainly political purposes. It’s frustrating how much we still don’t know about ourselves. The barriers to learning about our own brains and bodies are just nonsensical."
Another participant pointed out how even scientific research can feel disconnected from the reality of their experiences: "Even the scientists don’t understand the philosophy of science. The limitations of research, like the survey you showed, end up obscuring the real picture." These comments highlight the feeling of being misunderstood, not only by society but by the very systems meant to study and support them.
Grief is a Part of Our Learning Process
Especially when first uncovering neurodivergent traits, it can be a mourning of what could have been or a re-processing of why things went the way they had in the past. With our community comes the additional need to assess all our relationships with all substances and what we were and weren’t taught about them.
The sadness that came up in the discussion was rooted in the isolation and stigma neurodivergent individuals often face. One participant shared simply, "I'm sad because of the stigma." Another elaborated on the difficulties in accessing meaningful help: "There are not many actionable resources, and the medicalized process is too long, expensive, and inconsistent. It feels like the best influencers on Instagram are often more helpful than actual science." These words reflect the disillusionment many feel with the current healthcare and support systems, which are often out of reach or ineffective for those who need them most.
There’s a Lot of High Hopes for the Future
Despite the challenges, there was also a sense of relief and hope that was tangible. One participant realized, "My use of cannabis was medicinal and socially beneficial—it made me better in group settings." For many, this kind of self-discovery and validation was empowering. Another attendee echoed this sentiment, saying, "I'm glad I found NAP and this community. The discussions and experiences shared give me a glimmer of hope." There was also gratitude for the community itself, with one participant remarking, "I'm really glad I found NAP and got to connect with you all. I think the work you are doing is super important and is going to change a lot for so many people."
This discussion underscored a critical need for more public education and community-driven resources that truly validate the lived experiences of neurodivergent people. There is a clear hunger for understanding and support, but many are met with roadblocks—whether it's stigma, limited access to care, or outdated scientific research. One participant captured this frustration perfectly: "Learning is constant, but the fact that so many nonsensical barriers to learning more about our own brains and bodies exist is beyond frustrating."
Ultimately, the Neurodivergent Brain on Drugs discussion was more than just a one-time event. It was a collective call to action, highlighting the need to tear down barriers and build a more informed, compassionate, and supportive future for neurodivergent individuals. By amplifying these voices, we can start to break down the stigmas and create spaces where neurodivergent people are not only heard but understood and valued. The next discussion will be at the end of October.
Post-script from Miyabe - I still struggle to find words to describe how it's felt finding this community and bringing us together for the joint purpose of learning, sharing experience, and supporting each other in our personal evolutions. I’m so excited to see where this continues to take us as we keep moving forwards! Thank you to everyone who has participated so far in any of my lecture series/courses.