Adam Hunt
@realadamhunt.bsky.social
Researcher at Cambridge. PhD in evolutionary psychiatry. Explaining neurodiversity, improving methods & stigma. 'Evolving Psychiatry' podcast host.
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Adam Hunt
@realadamhunt.bsky.social
· Mar 14
New paper🎉 just published🎉 in Biological Reviews 🎉
We propose a new gold standard to avoid “just-so” storytelling in evolutionary inference & apply it to autism. It’s been 9 years (!!) in the making.
We propose a new gold standard to avoid “just-so” storytelling in evolutionary inference & apply it to autism. It’s been 9 years (!!) in the making.
We evolved to expect feedback from faces, not screens. The nervous system still measures safety by eye contact, tone, and shared rhythm. A thousand “likes” can’t replace a single nod across a table. At least, not until we are all safely encultured in the coming AI-linked bodysuits :)
November 11, 2025 at 11:30 AM
We evolved to expect feedback from faces, not screens. The nervous system still measures safety by eye contact, tone, and shared rhythm. A thousand “likes” can’t replace a single nod across a table. At least, not until we are all safely encultured in the coming AI-linked bodysuits :)
Anxiety isn’t always over-reaction. Sometimes it’s under-stimulation: the body looking for cues it no longer finds. Subtle sensory change—light, sound, air—can quiet the search. Not in the more extreme cases, of course, but a lit incense stick and an open window does wonders for me, personally.
November 10, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Anxiety isn’t always over-reaction. Sometimes it’s under-stimulation: the body looking for cues it no longer finds. Subtle sensory change—light, sound, air—can quiet the search. Not in the more extreme cases, of course, but a lit incense stick and an open window does wonders for me, personally.
We often chase efficiency by standardising roles. Yet human systems, like natural ones, depend on redundancy — overlapping skills, divergent styles. Resilience; adaptation to changing environments [and the environment is always changing] often hides in the inefficiencies we prune away.
November 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
We often chase efficiency by standardising roles. Yet human systems, like natural ones, depend on redundancy — overlapping skills, divergent styles. Resilience; adaptation to changing environments [and the environment is always changing] often hides in the inefficiencies we prune away.
A brain evolved to track rustling leaves still tries to track rustling tabs. It’s doing its best. But the design brief was different.
November 5, 2025 at 11:30 AM
A brain evolved to track rustling leaves still tries to track rustling tabs. It’s doing its best. But the design brief was different.
Reposted by Adam Hunt
My first paper, out in PsychReview!!
Along with @orbenamy.bsky.social, Nik & @jaeggiadrian.bsky.social, @realadamhunt.bsky.social & I revisit an old theoretical question using concepts from evo psychiatry and anthro:
Why do mixed associations exist b/w social media & mental health?
A 🧵
Along with @orbenamy.bsky.social, Nik & @jaeggiadrian.bsky.social, @realadamhunt.bsky.social & I revisit an old theoretical question using concepts from evo psychiatry and anthro:
Why do mixed associations exist b/w social media & mental health?
A 🧵
November 4, 2025 at 8:04 AM
My first paper, out in PsychReview!!
Along with @orbenamy.bsky.social, Nik & @jaeggiadrian.bsky.social, @realadamhunt.bsky.social & I revisit an old theoretical question using concepts from evo psychiatry and anthro:
Why do mixed associations exist b/w social media & mental health?
A 🧵
Along with @orbenamy.bsky.social, Nik & @jaeggiadrian.bsky.social, @realadamhunt.bsky.social & I revisit an old theoretical question using concepts from evo psychiatry and anthro:
Why do mixed associations exist b/w social media & mental health?
A 🧵
Every organisation is an ecosystem of specialisations. This isn't just theoretical - it's a reality inherent to all complex systems. Perhaps, then, the question isn’t necessarily “who fits our culture?” but “what niche are we failing to create?”
November 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Every organisation is an ecosystem of specialisations. This isn't just theoretical - it's a reality inherent to all complex systems. Perhaps, then, the question isn’t necessarily “who fits our culture?” but “what niche are we failing to create?”
"Neurodivergent individuals represent an estimated 15-20% of the global population, yet they continue to face significant barriers to workplace inclusion....reduces reliance on disclosure by implementing universal support, while also fostering a culture that makes voluntary disclosure safe."
October 30, 2025 at 2:49 PM
"Neurodivergent individuals represent an estimated 15-20% of the global population, yet they continue to face significant barriers to workplace inclusion....reduces reliance on disclosure by implementing universal support, while also fostering a culture that makes voluntary disclosure safe."
A new systematic review (April 2025) of neurodiversity in computing education highlights that many interventions lack empirical support...
"Most papers provided curricular recommendations that lacked empirical evidence to support those recommendations."
"Most papers provided curricular recommendations that lacked empirical evidence to support those recommendations."
October 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
A new systematic review (April 2025) of neurodiversity in computing education highlights that many interventions lack empirical support...
"Most papers provided curricular recommendations that lacked empirical evidence to support those recommendations."
"Most papers provided curricular recommendations that lacked empirical evidence to support those recommendations."
A recent review (19 Aug 2025) suggests 'grouping anxiety disorders into broader categories – namely, fear-dominant, mixed, and anxiety-dominant'. Plausible that evolutionary analysis of those distinct categories would be useful.
www.nature.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
A recent review (19 Aug 2025) suggests 'grouping anxiety disorders into broader categories – namely, fear-dominant, mixed, and anxiety-dominant'. Plausible that evolutionary analysis of those distinct categories would be useful.
A new scoping review finds that trust, social identification, communication, incentives and norms are key levers in group cooperation across commons and organisations. Interesting stuff - link in thread.
October 24, 2025 at 1:49 PM
A new scoping review finds that trust, social identification, communication, incentives and norms are key levers in group cooperation across commons and organisations. Interesting stuff - link in thread.
"The ‘I’ in Egalitarianism: Hadza Hunter-Gatherers Averse to Inequality Primarily when Personally Unfavourable" finds interesting patterns about inequality aversion in small-scale societies - basically, they're selfish too! Norms are needed to keep selfishness in check...
October 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM
"The ‘I’ in Egalitarianism: Hadza Hunter-Gatherers Averse to Inequality Primarily when Personally Unfavourable" finds interesting patterns about inequality aversion in small-scale societies - basically, they're selfish too! Norms are needed to keep selfishness in check...
Coalition instincts are double-edged: they bind teams but can create silos. The solution isn’t to eliminate group identity - rather, it’s to build nested loyalties: project, team, organisation. Hierarchies of belonging mirror the social scaffolds humans evolved with - family, extended family, tribe.
October 20, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Coalition instincts are double-edged: they bind teams but can create silos. The solution isn’t to eliminate group identity - rather, it’s to build nested loyalties: project, team, organisation. Hierarchies of belonging mirror the social scaffolds humans evolved with - family, extended family, tribe.
Teaching and learning from others is the critical human skill. We are motivated through the impressions we leave on others in our peer group. Education that reintroduces imitation and small-group practice reconnects students with evolved incentives.
October 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Teaching and learning from others is the critical human skill. We are motivated through the impressions we leave on others in our peer group. Education that reintroduces imitation and small-group practice reconnects students with evolved incentives.
Smartphones are critical to modern working life, we can hardly do without them - nor should we. But our attention systems evolved to be too sensitive to microscopic interruptions.
October 15, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Smartphones are critical to modern working life, we can hardly do without them - nor should we. But our attention systems evolved to be too sensitive to microscopic interruptions.
"...Late chronotypes had a 7 % lower depression risk per extra hour of daylight exposure..." A longitudinal study shows that daylight exposure is linked to lower depression scores - independent of exercise and social contact, at least in "night owls" (late chronotypes.)
October 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
"...Late chronotypes had a 7 % lower depression risk per extra hour of daylight exposure..." A longitudinal study shows that daylight exposure is linked to lower depression scores - independent of exercise and social contact, at least in "night owls" (late chronotypes.)
A recent mapping review recommends that managing neurodiversity in work settings should emphasise systemic structure, not only individual accommodations. In mismatch terms, the structure should adapt to varied cognitive niches, not expect uniform minds.
October 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM
A recent mapping review recommends that managing neurodiversity in work settings should emphasise systemic structure, not only individual accommodations. In mismatch terms, the structure should adapt to varied cognitive niches, not expect uniform minds.
A large new survey finds misconceptions of ADHD and autism among corporate employees, even when awareness is high. Interesting to wonder how much hinges on simplistic 'broken brain' explanatory models
October 6, 2025 at 1:49 PM
A large new survey finds misconceptions of ADHD and autism among corporate employees, even when awareness is high. Interesting to wonder how much hinges on simplistic 'broken brain' explanatory models
Why is everyone so 'Anxious?' One potential answer, hugely overlooked, is simply that our brains evolved to be hypersensitive to tiny social threats—slight status shifts, non-verbal signals. In today’s large but flattened hierarchies, many social feedback loops feel ambiguous!
October 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Why is everyone so 'Anxious?' One potential answer, hugely overlooked, is simply that our brains evolved to be hypersensitive to tiny social threats—slight status shifts, non-verbal signals. In today’s large but flattened hierarchies, many social feedback loops feel ambiguous!
A call came out for a “biology‑informed” framework for mental disorders that weaves in genetics, behaviour, and systems.
Biology has informed psychiatry for decades!
Whats missing is reference to the evolutionary theory that helps us understand biology!!
Biology has informed psychiatry for decades!
Whats missing is reference to the evolutionary theory that helps us understand biology!!
October 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM
A call came out for a “biology‑informed” framework for mental disorders that weaves in genetics, behaviour, and systems.
Biology has informed psychiatry for decades!
Whats missing is reference to the evolutionary theory that helps us understand biology!!
Biology has informed psychiatry for decades!
Whats missing is reference to the evolutionary theory that helps us understand biology!!
A recent Frontiers In Psychology article introduces what they term "Neurocognitive Mismatch Theory," suggesting that environments low in movement, sensory variety, or natural stimuli amplify functional impairment in ADHD and autism. The findings point toward designing settings that diminish mismatch
Frontiers | ADHD and autism in Neurocognitive Mismatch Theory: distinct neurodevelopmental incompatibilities with the market-based system
ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) represent distinct neurodevelopmental conditions with unique profiles, yet they share susceptibility to environmental...
www.frontiersin.org
September 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
A recent Frontiers In Psychology article introduces what they term "Neurocognitive Mismatch Theory," suggesting that environments low in movement, sensory variety, or natural stimuli amplify functional impairment in ADHD and autism. The findings point toward designing settings that diminish mismatch
Interesting new article in Frontiers - exploring affective versus predatory violence in terms of evolutionary adaptation (24 Sep 2025). They claim that this distinction matters not only in forensic settings but in organisational threat assessment and structured conflict resolution.
September 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Interesting new article in Frontiers - exploring affective versus predatory violence in terms of evolutionary adaptation (24 Sep 2025). They claim that this distinction matters not only in forensic settings but in organisational threat assessment and structured conflict resolution.
Recent arXiv study: “Portable Silent Room” prototypes for neurodivergent women and non‑binary people show that VR environments tailored to sensory regulation can reduce anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Designing for intersectional needs matters more than many suspect! arxiv.org/abs/2508.18591
Portable Silent Room: Exploring VR Design for Anxiety and Emotion Regulation for Neurodivergent Women and Non-Binary Individuals
Neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), frequently experience anxiety, panic attacks, meltdowns, and emotional dysregulation…
arxiv.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Recent arXiv study: “Portable Silent Room” prototypes for neurodivergent women and non‑binary people show that VR environments tailored to sensory regulation can reduce anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Designing for intersectional needs matters more than many suspect! arxiv.org/abs/2508.18591
EY’s Global Neuroinclusion at Work Study 2025 reveals only ~25% of neurodivergent professionals feel “truly included” in their workplace, even as many report proficiency in high-growth skills when inclusion is present. Suggests inclusion is a strong performance lever.
www.ey.com/content/dam/...
www.ey.com/content/dam/...
www.ey.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
EY’s Global Neuroinclusion at Work Study 2025 reveals only ~25% of neurodivergent professionals feel “truly included” in their workplace, even as many report proficiency in high-growth skills when inclusion is present. Suggests inclusion is a strong performance lever.
www.ey.com/content/dam/...
www.ey.com/content/dam/...
Children with ADHD differ not just in how often they check the time but how strategically they monitor time in everyday‑tasks (aged 9‑13) when using a naturalistic VR task. Possible that training strategic monitoring will improve school performance.
Link: buff.ly/KsoBoF1
Link: buff.ly/KsoBoF1
A naturalistic virtual reality task reveals difficulties in time-based prospective memory and strategic time-monitoring in children with ADHD - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - A naturalistic virtual reality task reveals difficulties in time-based prospective memory and strategic time-monitoring in children with ADHD
buff.ly
September 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Children with ADHD differ not just in how often they check the time but how strategically they monitor time in everyday‑tasks (aged 9‑13) when using a naturalistic VR task. Possible that training strategic monitoring will improve school performance.
Link: buff.ly/KsoBoF1
Link: buff.ly/KsoBoF1
A new preprint finds that “body doubling” (human or AI) in virtual reality helps adults with ADHD finish construction tasks faster and maintain attention (15 Sep 2025). Suggests social scaffolding could reduce mismatch in high‑demand jobs. Intriguing Stuff. Link: buff.ly/i3j4rRc
You Are Not Alone: Designing Body Doubling for ADHD in Virtual Reality
Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience challenges sustaining attention in the workplace. Body doubling, the concept of working alongside another person, has been…
buff.ly
September 21, 2025 at 1:49 PM
A new preprint finds that “body doubling” (human or AI) in virtual reality helps adults with ADHD finish construction tasks faster and maintain attention (15 Sep 2025). Suggests social scaffolding could reduce mismatch in high‑demand jobs. Intriguing Stuff. Link: buff.ly/i3j4rRc