ADHD-Friendly Focus Timer – Gentle Attention Training

Cortex Lantern is an attention-span training app — think of it as a gentle focus gym for your brain. If you struggle with distraction, have trouble starting tasks, or find traditional productivity tools overwhelming, this might help. It's not medical advice and not a replacement for professional support. It's simply a tool designed to make practicing focus a little easier.

Our philosophy: If you complete a 15-minute session, you've succeeded. No judgment about what happened before or after. Every session counts.

What "ADHD-friendly" means here

When we say "ADHD-friendly," we mean lower friction and lower overwhelm — design choices that make it easier to start and easier to keep going. This is not a treatment or a cure. It's a set of practical features that many people with ADHD or attention difficulties find helpful:

Short sessions: Start with just 15 minutes — low commitment, low resistance
Visual feedback: The brain visualization provides immediate reward, not just end-of-task satisfaction
Simple options: Pick one Cognitive Pathway, set a timer, and go — no complex setup
No surveillance: We track effort, not "productivity" — no judgment about output
Forgiving streaks: Glow Points reward consistency without punishing missed days
Clear endpoints: Sessions have a defined start and finish, so you know when you're done

Designed to reduce friction

The biggest barrier to focus is often just starting. Cortex Lantern is built around short sessions (15–45 minutes) with a clear beginning and end. This structure makes it easier to overcome the "start energy" problem — where getting going feels harder than the task itself.

The approach is simple: start small, repeat often. There's no promise of instant transformation. But over time, regular short sessions can help you build tolerance for focus, one block at a time. Learn more about why short sessions work.

Gentle structure (without guilt)

Many focus apps use streaks and rewards in ways that create anxiety. Missed a day? Lost your streak. Didn't finish? Failure. Cortex Lantern takes a different approach.

Glow Points are earned by completing sessions, but missing a day doesn't erase your progress. Cortex Levels recognize your accumulated effort over time, not just recent performance. The goal is encouragement, not pressure. If you skip a day (or a week), you can pick up exactly where you left off — no punishment, no reset.

How to use Cortex Lantern when you can't start

If you're feeling stuck and can't seem to begin, try this simple approach:

Pick a Cognitive Pathway (Deep Work, Learning, or Creative) and set a 15-minute session
Choose one tiny task — something so small it feels almost too easy
Start imperfectly. Don't wait until you "feel ready." When the timer ends, stop — you're done

Examples of tiny tasks:

Reply to one email (not all of them — just one)
Outline 3 bullet points for a project
Tidy one drawer or one shelf
Read one article or one chapter

Which Cognitive Pathway should you pick first?

Don't overthink it. Here's a simple guide:

Deep Work: For focused tasks like writing, coding, or admin — when you need to concentrate on one thing
Learning: For reading, studying, or taking courses — when you're absorbing new information
Creative: For brainstorming, designing, or making — when you want to generate ideas

Explore all five Cognitive Pathways to find what works best for different types of work.

FAQ

Is Cortex Lantern medical advice?

No. Cortex Lantern is a focus tool, not a medical treatment. If you have concerns about ADHD, attention, or related conditions, please consult a healthcare professional.

Can I use it if I have ADHD?

Yes. Many people with ADHD find the low-friction design helpful. But it's a practice tool, not a treatment. Use it alongside whatever support works for you.

What if I break my streak?

Nothing bad happens. Glow Points and Cortex Levels don't reset. You can pick up where you left off whenever you're ready — no guilt, no punishment.

Is this just Pomodoro?

Not exactly. While timed sessions are part of it, Cortex Lantern adds Cognitive Pathways for different types of work, visual brain feedback, and a reward system designed for consistency over time. See how it works.

What session length should I start with?

Start with 15 minutes. If that feels easy, try 25. You can always adjust later. The goal is to build a habit, not push to exhaustion.

Learn more about the science of attention training