Can Exercise Treat ADD & ADHD?
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“Think of exercise as medication,” says Dr. John Ratey, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.”

“For a very small handful of people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder,” Spark says, “exercise may actually be a replacement for stimulants.

“But, for most, it’s complementary -- something they should absolutely do, along with taking meds, to help increase attention and improve mood.”

Ratey will discuss that idea and more at the 11th annual Unity in Education Speaker Series event on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. at The Lexington School gymnasium at 1050 Lane Allen Road.

Unity in Education is a partnership between TLS and Sayre School.

In the book “Spark,” Dr. Ratey guides readers through an understanding of neurobiology and then inspires readers to reach for their potential by embracing exercise that is crucial for the brain and body to operate at peak performance.

Ratey demonstrates how even moderate exercise will supercharge mental circuits to beat stress, sharpen thinking and enhance memory.

Dr. Ratey began studying ADHD in the 1980s and co-authored “Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood” (1994), the first in a series of books that demystify the disorder.

He also authored the bestselling book, “A User’s Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention and the Four Theaters of the Brain” (2000), which translates how neuroscience affects emotions, behavior and overall psychology.

Each year since 1995, Dr. Ratey has been selected by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America. His recent work on exercise may transform the way we see physical education in schools.

Tickets are $15. Info: The Lexington School at 278-0501.