Dr. Jeffrey Karp, now a celebrated professor at Harvard and MIT, grew up in rural Canada feeling like a complete misfit. As a child with undiagnosed ADHD, he struggled to concentrate, constantly felt overwhelmed, and often saw traditional learning methods as confusing or even meaningless. He described feeling more like an “alien” than just a quirky kid.

Classrooms, questions, and expectations didn’t make sense to him, and instead of feeling supported, he was misunderstood by teachers and isolated socially. There were no ADHD interventions available at the time, so he had to wing it and invent his own coping methods.

One of his earliest breakthroughs came through understanding how brains respond to stimuli, something he later found mirrored in the neuroscience of sea slugs. Through trial and error, he taught himself to become less reactive to distractions (habituation) and more responsive to meaningful cues (sensitization). A pinball machine next to his study desk became a reward, not a distraction — a small but powerful example of learning how to train his mind intentionally.

This process of brain training helped him discover what he now calls his “LIT” state — a heightened zone of focus and creativity. “Lit” represents both the spark of inspiration we feel during deep work, and the literal lighting up of the brain’s activity in fMRI scans during those moments. When you’re “lit,” you’re thinking clearly, critically, creatively—and you’re fully present.

As Karp fine-tuned these techniques, he began to turn his learning differences into advantages. He developed what he calls “Life Ignition Tools” — practical habits that help regulate attention, energize the brain, and tap into peak productivity. These tools helped him transition from a child sidelined in special education to a renowned bioengineer, educator, inventor, and entrepreneur.

Today, Dr. Karp has trained over 200 researchers, published 130+ scientific papers, and holds more than 100 patents. He’s cofounded 12 biotech companies and helped build a thriving research center focused on medical innovation. Through it all, the LIT tools remained central to his progress—and he credits them with transforming his ADHD challenges into a creative engine.

His message is clear: with the right strategies, anyone can rewire their brain for focus and success. Whether you’re struggling in school, at work, or just trying to manage everyday chaos, you’re not broken. You just need tools—and Karp’s life is proof that they work.