Overview

• Two independent cohorts from Europe and the UK totaling 750 participants were assessed using standardized measures of ADHD traits, mind-wandering styles, and creativity.
• Individuals with stronger ADHD characteristics scored higher on creative achievement and divergent-thinking tasks.
• Deliberate, purposefully guided mind wandering was tied to greater creative performance, distinguishing it from uncontrolled spontaneous drift.
• Researchers propose psychoeducation and ADHD-tailored mindfulness interventions to help channel mental drift into productive outcomes.
• An external expert, K. P. Lesch, noted that mind wandering can underlie the notable creativity seen in some high-functioning individuals with ADHD.