Dopamine sensitivity and sugar addiction are familiar traits of ADHD. Perhaps using sugar to self-medicate, re-energise, or dopamine-seek may be a pattern you relate to?

If so, you'll want to listen to this week's episode of The ADHD Women's Wellbeing, with guest Dr. Nicole Avena, a research neuroscientist and nutrition, diet, and addiction expert. Her research focuses on nutrition during early life and pregnancy and women’s health. She has done groundbreaking work developing models to characterize food addiction and the dangers of excess sugar intake.

Dr Avena's latest book, Sugarless, covers the latest science on sugar addiction and how to overcome it. On this episode of The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast, Dr Avena and Kate talk about:

The link between sugar addiction and dopamine-seeking brains
The effects of dopamine released by sugar consumption on the brain
How sugar affects your body and your health
Parenting and teaching our kids nutritional choices and consuming processed sugar
Having a susceptible dopamine system
Our busy society doesn't lend itself to healthy eating

You hear me talking about an integrative and more holistic healthcare approach a lot on the Podcast, so I'm delighted to welcome Dr Gemma Newman (The Plant Power Doctor), a best-selling author, podcast host, and GP who embraces this approach with her patients.

Although Gemma is a medical GP, she's also interested in holistic health, plant-based nutrition, and lifestyle medicine.

Gemma's second book, Get Well, Stay Well: The Six Healing Health Habits Everyone Should Know , combines medicine, psychology, and nutrition. It provides simple, actionable tips and a unique wellness template to help you transform your life.

On this episode of The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast, Gemma and Kate speak about:

The role of functional medicine and ADHD
How to talk to your GP regarding an ADHD diagnosis
Self-compassion as a neurodivergent person
Gemma's journey to spiritual practice, holistic and functional health
Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping and the many benefits for ADHD
How does our emotional and spiritual wellbeing impact our physical health

Mentioned in this episode:

Gratitude link

ADHD Sugar Addiction and a GP's UNIQUE guidance on ADHD