Could oxygen be a necessary evil? The one thing we certainly can’t live without could be detrimental to our health.
Studies show that states with high elevations, and less oxygen in the air have a lower incidence of reported ADHD cases.
Which states have a lower incidence of ADHD
The average elevation of Nevada is 5,517 feet above sea level, and they’ve reported the lowest incidences of children diagnosed with ADHD; just 5.6 percent compared to the national average of 9.5 percent. Utah, another state with a high elevation – at 6,100 feet above sea level – had an average of 50 percent less reported ADHD cases than states at sea level.
Studies show the highest percentage of kids diagnosed with ADHD lived in North Carolina, and their elevation is just 869 feet above sea level according to Steve Murray.
The study, published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, says living at high elevations increases dopamine, a neurotransmitter produced in the central nervous system. Doctors generally use medication to increase dopamine for ADHD patients.
Dr. Douglas G. Kondo, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Utah and senior author of the study finds that breathing in thinner air positively impacts our health.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) remains one of the most common disorders of childhood, and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity.
High altitude has always been known as a risk factor, but in some cases, it could become a protective factor.