Brain Expert: THIS Common Food Turns ADHD Into A Superpower, It's In Your Cupboard!

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist and leading voice in women’s health and hormones. In this episode, she joins Alex to explore the often-overlooked connection between ADHD, hormones, the immune system, pregnancy, postpartum changes, PMDD and perimenopause, and why so many women are still being misunderstood by conventional medicine. Chapters: 00:00 The Heartbreaking Reality of ADHD 02:07 The ADHD Patient Dr Jolene Will Never Forget 05:19 Why ADHD Isn’t Just a Brain Condition 06:51 The Hidden Brain–Hormone–Immune Connection 12:14 Why Estrogen Can Change Everything for ADHD Women 14:04 What Medicine Still Gets Wrong About Female ADHD 16:43 The Shocking Link Between ADHD, PMDD & Endometriosis 29:45 Why Pregnancy Can Make ADHD So Much Harder 32:54 The Postpartum ADHD Experience Nobody Warns You About 37:02 Why ADHD Can Suddenly Get Worse in Perimenopause 43:23 The 14-Day Meal Plan for Better ADHD Energy & Focus 50:21 The Lifestyle Habits That Can Transform Female ADHD 52:37 What ADHD Women Think Is Normal — But Isn’t 53:28 The ADHD Symptom Women Blame Themselves For Most 56:55 A Letter to My Younger Self Dr. Brighten’s Book ADHD & Women: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/ Dr. Brighten’s Website: https://drbrighten.com Dr. Brighten’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten Dr. Brighten’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten Dr. Brighten’s Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten Dr. Brighten’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbrighten/ Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817 Alex’s book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e Producer: Timon Woodward Recorded by: Hamlin Studios Trailer editor: Ryan Faber DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Dr. Jolene BrightenguestAlex Partridgehost

Oct 5, 202659mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: October 5, 2026
Duration: 59m
Channel: ADHD Chatter Podcast
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist and leading voice in women’s health and hormones. In this episode, she joins Alex to explore the often-overlooked connection between ADHD, hormones, the immune system, pregnancy, postpartum changes, PMDD and perimenopause, and why so many women are still being misunderstood by conventional medicine. Chapters: 00:00 The Heartbreaking Reality of ADHD 02:07 The ADHD Patient Dr Jolene Will Never Forget 05:19 Why ADHD Isn’t Just a Brain Condition 06:51 The Hidden Brain–Hormone–Immune Connection 12:14 Why Estrogen Can Change Everything for ADHD Women 14:04 What Medicine Still Gets Wrong About Female ADHD 16:43 The Shocking Link Between ADHD, PMDD & Endometriosis 29:45 Why Pregnancy Can Make ADHD So Much Harder 32:54 The Postpartum ADHD Experience Nobody Warns You About 37:02 Why ADHD Can Suddenly Get Worse in Perimenopause 43:23 The 14-Day Meal Plan for Better ADHD Energy & Focus 50:21 The Lifestyle Habits That Can Transform Female ADHD 52:37 What ADHD Women Think Is Normal — But Isn’t 53:28 The ADHD Symptom Women Blame Themselves For Most 56:55 A Letter to My Younger Self Dr. Brighten’s Book ADHD & Women: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/ Dr. Brighten’s Website: https://drbrighten.com Dr. Brighten’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten Dr. Brighten’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten Dr. Brighten’s Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten Dr. Brighten’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbrighten/ Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817 Alex’s book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e Producer: Timon Woodward Recorded by: Hamlin Studios Trailer editor: Ryan Faber DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

SPEAKERS

Dr. Jolene Brighten
guest
Physician and author who discusses women’s hormones and ADHD from a clinical practice perspective.
Alex Partridge
host
Host of ADHD Chatter who interviews expert guests about ADHD-related topics.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of ADHD Chatter Podcast, featuring Dr. Jolene Brighten and Alex Partridge, Brain Expert: THIS Common Food Turns ADHD Into A Superpower, It's In Your Cupboard! explores how hormones, inflammation, and food shape women’s ADHD symptoms Dr. Jolene Brighten frames female ADHD as a brain–hormone–immune “triad” problem where gut health, inflammation, and hormonal shifts directly affect cognition and emotional regulation.

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