ADHD, Autism & Psychosis Explored

Why do some adults with ADHD describe feeling calmer after consuming alcohol? This episode examines the relationship between ADHD, impulsivity, emotional regulation, and alcohol use. We explore how temporary relief can reinforce drinking behavior while potentially worsening executive functioning and sleep. Discover why ADHD is associated with an increased risk of problematic alcohol use and what t...

Parents and teachers increasingly describe children who struggle to read for twenty minutes, finish homework without checking a device, or tolerate even a few minutes of boredom. Research does show an association between heavier screen exposure and attention difficulties, although the evidence does not prove that smartphones or tablets directly cause ADHD. Several large studies have found that chi...

Parents have been blaming sugar for hyperactivity for generations, and the connection can seem obvious when a child becomes energetic after birthday cake, candy, or soda. But does sugar actually worsen ADHD symptoms, or are other factors creating the appearance of a connection? In this episode, we separate observation from evidence and examine what research tells us about sugar, attention, and hyp...

A 2026 review of more than 1.9 million people found higher rates of constipation, IBS, and loss of bowel control among those with ADHD. The link is consistent across several studies but remains an association, not proof of cause. Medication, eating patterns, and gut-brain signaling may all play a role. Clinicians are now being urged to ask about digestive symptoms rather than treat them as an afte...

Hypercuriosity reframes some ADHD behavior as an urgent, impulsive drive to explore rather than a simple inability to focus. The idea is grounded in dopamine-based reward differences and emerging research linking impulsivity to heightened curiosity, though it remains more theory than settled science. Whether it becomes a clinical construct or stays a useful lens, it offers a more compassionate way...

large 2026 brain-imaging study of more than 7,000 nine- and ten-year-olds found that the networks supporting focus look the same in kids who struggle—whether or not they carry an ADHD diagnosis. The diagnosis tracked a separate set of connections, not a unique “ADHD attention circuit.” That distinction matters for how we talk to families, write reports, and decide what a label is actually pointing...

Ttoday we’re tackling one of the hottest debates in intelligence research: Does growing up in a high socioeconomic status – high-SES – family actually cause kids to have higher IQs? Or is it mostly genetics?

In this evidence-based deep dive, we examine the scientific literature on ADHD stimulant medications and their real-world effects on car accident risk, academic performance, emergency visits, and long-term outcomes. Drawing on large-scale registry studies, meta-analyses, and randomized trials, we assess the strength of claims around reduced crashes, improved GPA, and lower substance abuse while tr...

Today, we address a notable policy recommendation from the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. On April 28, 2026, the IACC, under the leadership of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., proposed the adoption of a standardized federal definition for “profound autism.” This proposal seeks to distinguish individuals with the highest support needs—those with minimal or no functional speech who r...

Discover the shocking truth behind a small ADHD trial where neither Pycnogenol supplements nor Ritalin beat placebo – and why experts say the design may be to blame. We break down study limitations in plain English, respond to Dr. Sean Luo’s take on inflated placebo effects, and compare it to the landmark MTA study that shows real benefits from proper stimulant treatment. Perfect for parents, adul...

Why do ADHD medications hit every kid differently? The answer is hidden in their genetic code, influencing everything from absorption rates to brain sensitivity. We examine how genetic insights can help families bypass months of trial and error to find the right dose and drug the first time.

The sharp rise in autism diagnoses—from 1 in 150 to 1 in 31—reflects a powerful mix of better awareness, broader criteria, and expanded screening that has brought real help to more families, yet the evidence shows most of the increase stems from improved detection of a spectrum that long existed rather than a sudden environmental catastrophe.
Strong genetic heritability (60-90%) anchors the biolog...