Ep. 650 ADHD and Hormones in Women with Dr. Jolene Brighten

Today, I’m honored to reconnect with Dr. Jolene Brighten. She’s an award-winning, board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, nutrition scientist, and leading voice in women’s health. She’s the author of Beyond the Pill, Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth, and her latest book, ADHD and Women: A Guide to Optimizing Your Hormones and Thriving with ADHD, which represents an expansion of her core thesis that women’s symptoms get chronically misattributed when the hormone piece is left out of the picture, which she now applies to ADHD. She also hosts The Dr. Brighten Show. In today’s conversation, we look at why ADHD symptoms surface or worsen at hormonal transitions, the mental health effects of oral contraceptives and synthetic hormones, and the gut-brain connection to ADHD. We explore how gut dysbiosis dysregulates vagal nerve signaling; how butyrate and other short-chain fatty acids influence it; what endobelly is and how it affects histamine and mast cell degranulation; and emerging research on GLP-1s and endometriosis. We also discuss rejection sensitivity disorder and masking, nutritional and o lifestyle recommendations for improving symptomatology, and how key supplements like cytochrome and saffron can improve memory and mitochondrial health. Stay tuned for a truly insightful conversation with Dr. Jolene Brighten and a deeper look at ADHD and Women. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How perimenopause can amplify ADHD symptoms Why ADHD in some women remains unidentified until midlife How gut dysbiosis can influence vagal nerve signaling in the ADHD brain Why butyrate and resistant starches may be important for the ADHD brain The connection between endometriosis, ADHD, and the gut How Dr. Brighten guides neurodivergent women through HRT conversations How rejection sensitivity dysphoria can affect women with ADHD Dr. Brighten shares lifestyle recommendations for women with ADHD Bio: Dr. Jolene Brighten is a hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and founder of Dr. Brighten Essentials. Board-certified in naturopathic endocrinology, a certified menopause specialist, and sex counselor, she is the bestselling author of Beyond the Pill, Is This Normal?, and the forthcoming ADHD and Women. She is dedicated to helping women optimize their hormone, brain, and sexual health through evidence-based education. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Check out Cynthia’s website. Check out the Everyday Podcast on Instagram! www.instagram.com/everydaywellnesspodcast Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow. Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten Website Pre-order bonuses for ADHD and Women (Meal plans to help optimize hormones and a PMDD workshop) On Social Media: @DrJoleneBrighten The Dr. Brighten Show