Joe Rogan has drawn attention over the years for his often controversial takes on a wide range of topics—including UFOs.
Most recently, the 57-year-old shared a similarly unconventional opinion about the neurodevelopmental disorder ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).
Joe Rogan Views ADHD as a Superpower
Joe Rogan often dives into unscripted and wide-ranging discussions on his popular podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE). The longtime UFC color commentator uses the platform to share his views on everything from politics to sports—and, at times, controversial health topics.
Rogan has previously weighed in on several major public health issues, including COVID-19. His criticism of the government’s handling of pandemic-related misinformation sparked significant backlash, drawing criticism from fans and high-profile celebrities alike.
In the latest episode of JRE, Rogan sat down with renowned chef and television personality José Andrés. Among a variety of topics, the two discussed the often misunderstood neurodevelopmental disorder ADHD.
ADHD affects an estimated 6% of U.S. adults, often impacting academic performance, career focus, and personal relationships. However, during the conversation, Rogan offered a different perspective—calling the disorder a “superpower.”
He said, “I subscribe to the idea that ADHD is a superpower, I really do.”
The former Fear Factor host pointed out that people with ADHD often display intense passion and hyperfocus when it comes to the things they genuinely care about, rather than distributing their attention evenly across all areas.
He suggested that this selective focus isn’t a weakness, but rather a strength—allowing individuals with ADHD to dive deeply into subjects or activities that ignite their interest, often achieving a level of engagement and creativity that others might struggle to reach.
According to Rogan, this ability to block out what they perceive as irrelevant or unimportant enables them to conserve energy and channel their mental resources more effectively.
He explained, “I think that the people who can’t focus on nonsense, generally speaking, they can focus on the things they love—really focus. They get really excited about certain things, but everything else, they can’t be bothered with.”
Rogan suggested that this mindset allows individuals with ADHD to find more efficient ways to approach tasks, often avoiding unnecessary effort.
To illustrate his point, he shared a personal anecdote from his school days, recalling how he lost interest in math once he realized calculators could handle the work. “I’m out. I’m not gonna think about math now. If I can do all this math on a calculator, why do I need to learn it?” he said.
After expressing his views about ADHD, Rogan went on to make a controversial statement regarding the schooling system, which many might find a bit hard to digest.