Understanding ADHD: It’s Not Just in Your Head

ADHD is often painted as a simple brain disorder—a dopamine deficiency, a lack of focus, a need for medication and structure. But the truth is, ADHD isn’t just about attention or hyperactivity—it’s about how our unique neurotype interacts with the world around us.

Neurotypes are the way our brains are wired—how we process information, respond to stimuli, and engage with our environment. Yes, our genetic blueprint plays a role, but our environment (both external and internal) has the power to push that neurotype into a chaotic, disruptive state OR into a state where we feel more in control, regulated, and aligned.

The beauty of this? ADHD is not a fixed state. It’s a dynamic expression of how our nervous system, biochemistry, and external environment interact. Which means—you have more control than you think.

What’s Driving the Disruptive Side of ADHD?

When ADHD feels completely overwhelming—when focus is impossible, emotions are erratic, and energy levels swing wildly—it’s not just a matter of “bad brain wiring.” There are deeper physiological factors at play, many of which we CAN influence. Let’s talk about what can push an ADHD brain further into dysregulation (and what we can do about it).

1️⃣ Toxins & The Overloaded System

Your brain is highly sensitive to toxins. Heavy metals, mold, pesticides, air pollution, plastics—all of these can mess with neurotransmitter production and fuel the inflammation that makes ADHD symptoms worse.

How to Support Detox: 

✔ Swap plastic for glass/stainless steel in food storage 

✔ Support liver detox with cruciferous vegetables & bitter herbs 

✔ Reduce exposure to synthetic fragrances, candles, and cleaning products 

2️⃣ Infections & Immune Dysfunction

Ever heard of PANDAS/PANS? This is an extreme example of how infections can impact neurofunction—where a simple strep infection can trigger obsessive-compulsive behaviors, rage episodes, and severe ADHD-like symptoms.

Chronic infections like Lyme, Epstein-Barr, candida, and gut dysbiosis can have a more subtle but still significant effect on cognitive function, focus, and emotional regulation.

How to Support the Immune System: 

✔ Prioritize nutrient-dense, whole foods to reduce inflammation

✔ Identify & address underlying infections with a practitioner

✔ Reduce sugar & processed foods that feed harmful bacteria 

3️⃣ Food as Medicine (or as an ADHD Trigger)

The gut-brain connection is NOT just a trend—it’s neuroscience. The foods we eat provide the building blocks for our neurotransmitters, fuel for our mitochondria, and signals for our hormones.

But let’s be real—certain foods wreck ADHD brains. 🚨

The big offenders? ✔ Artificial dyes & preservatives (Red 40, Yellow 5, MSG—these are straight-up brain disruptors) ❌ ✔ Dairy & gluten (For some people, these trigger inflammation, gut dysfunction, and brain fog) 🧀🍞 ✔ Ultra-processed foods & sugar bombs (Blood sugar crashes fuel impulsivity and hyperactivity) 🍭

How to Support ADHD with Food: 

✔ Eat protein & healthy fats first thing in the morning

✔ Add omega-3s (wild-caught fish, flax, chia) to support dopamine & brain function

✔ Focus on whole, unprocessed foods as often as possible 

4️⃣ The Nervous System: Trauma, Stress, and ADHD

ADHD isn’t just about distraction—it’s also about how our nervous system regulates our response to stress. Many people with ADHD have a chronically dysregulated stress response, which means their brains stay stuck in fight-or-flight mode.

When the body perceives danger (even if it’s just low blood sugar, a stressful email, or childhood trauma resurfacing), it floods with cortisol & adrenaline. Over time, this constant stress response impacts dopamine production, weakens impulse control, and leaves us feeling wired but exhausted.

How to Support the Nervous System: 

✔ Regulate blood sugar (more on that in the next section!)

✔ Practice nervous system regulation techniques (breathwork, tapping, somatic movement)

✔ Prioritize sleep—dopamine production is restored at night!

✔ Seek trauma-informed care if unresolved stress patterns keep you stuck 

Blood Sugar & ADHD: The Stability Factor

If you take one thing away from this post, let it be this: Blood sugar stability is EVERYTHING for an ADHD brain.

Why? Because glucose is your brain’s main fuel source, and when blood sugar is constantly spiking and crashing, your energy, focus, and mood follow the same chaotic pattern.

❌ Blood sugar crashes = low dopamine, low energy, high impulsivity. ❌ Unstable blood sugar makes ADHD symptoms worse, period.

How to Balance Blood Sugar for ADHD Stability: 

✔ Eat protein + healthy fats first thing in the morning (skip the carb-heavy breakfast)

✔ Never eat carbs alone—always pair with protein or fat 

✔ Reduce refined sugar & processed foods that cause glucose spikes 📉 ✔ Space meals out every 3-4 hours to prevent crashes 

Gut Health: The Root of Dopamine & Serotonin Production

Did you know? 90% of serotonin & 50% of dopamine are produced in the gut.

That means if your gut is inflamed, imbalanced, or overrun with bad bacteria, your brain’s ability to regulate mood, focus, and motivation is compromised.

Signs your gut might be affecting your ADHD: ✔ Chronic bloating, constipation, or diarrhea 🤢 ✔ Brain fog & mood swings 🌫️😠 ✔ Skin issues (eczema, acne) 💔 ✔ Food intolerances 🍞🚫

How to Support Gut Health for Better ADHD Functioning: 

✔ Add fermented foods & probiotics to build healthy gut bacteria

✔ Reduce processed foods & inflammatory oils (seed oils, excess sugar)

✔ Increase fiber intake to feed beneficial bacteria

✔ Consider gut-healing nutrients like collagen, L-glutamine, and bone broth 

ADHD is Not a Disorder—It’s a Neurotype That Needs Support

ADHD is not just a chemical imbalance. It’s an interaction between your genes, your gut, your blood sugar, your stress levels, and your environment.

When we support the whole system, we don’t “fix” ADHD—we harness it. We work with it, not against it. And that changes everything.

Which of these strategies do you already use? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!