I have ADHD and hearing a doctor say it’s not my fault I’m not lazy and we can fix this made me sob. Thank you for this episode it truly healed my inner child
@Notwoke7 it's more a judgement on getting stuff done (washing, cleaning, filing, weeding, etc) that is what 'responsible people do'. We are always busy, but not necessarily on the things that *have* to be done.
@Notwoke7 people suffer from mental anguish because of the hyper activity of your brain and starting task u don't complete. U become worn out and can be perceived as lazy
You can skip first 10 mins and here is the summary -ADHD is linked to issues with brain metabolism, not a chemical imbalance. Improving diet and lifestyle can help "fix" ADHD by improving brain energy and function. -Try an elimination diet for 2 weeks removing common trigger foods like gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, and artificial ingredients. Reintroduce foods slowly to see if symptoms improve. -Eat a high protein, lower carb, whole foods diet for at least 1 month to improve brain metabolism. -Increase muscle building exercise to improve metabolic health. Also try zone 2 cardio like brisk walking. -Reduce or eliminate substance use that may impair metabolism like alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, psychiatric medications with side effects if possible. -Prioritize sleep and stress reduction. Poor sleep and high stress disrupt brain metabolism. -If following a healthier diet and lifestyle for 1-2 months doesn't help, seek medical advice about other options like therapy, medications or advanced testing for chronic inflammation.
Yes and this doctor said little to nothing about inattentive ADHD which is why so many of us don’t get diagnosed and spend our entire lives thinking we are stupid. What a waste of an interview and a waste of an hour.
Same here, inattentive without hyperactivity. Easy to slip under the radar. i'd like to explain a new theory/activity that's come out that could help adhd brains. There's a new theory around that not just exercise but specifically *balance* or coordination exercises might help reduce symptoms. They say exercise helps but that's a broad word and not much balancing or coordination challenge happens in most people's choice of exercise, usually being walking, running, biking, or resistance training (weights/calisthenics). Biking is so automatic for most that you don't need to think about it so it's not "working out" your cerebellum. You need a balance/coordination challenge. I mean you can daydream while running or biking, that's how little challenge is involved to your balance. So practicing and learning balance or coordination activities like juggling, walking on a beam forwards and backwards, handstands, balance boards or skateboarding, one foot balancing exercises, etc... these inherently require constant focus to stay balanced especially when still learning and practicing it. So it doesn't seem a stretch to me that consistently improving your balance/coordination which requires constant focus would perhaps help your general focus as well. This is a new theory but apparently it has found pretty promising results. Your cerebellum kn the brain is responsible for coordination, movement, balance, it only weighs like 154 grams but has ~69 BILLION neurons. Your whole brain has 100 billion neurons so as you can see it's a major portion ofvyour brain while being small in weight. In comparison your cerebral cortex weighs 1233 grams and has only 16 billion neurons. So the cerebellum is massively important and who knows what ripple effects occur from strengthening the cerebellum's 69 billion neurons. Worth a try, personally im gonna get one of those balance boards.
I have a bit of contention with the definition of ADHD. In my experience, abnormally low impulsivity comes in to play often. Consider "waiting mode" where you are screaming at yourself internally to DO something, but all you can do is sit there. You might have the motivation (e.g the reason to do something) but lack the impulse ( the initial energy to get started).
Id like to see a podcast on this very problem where your default is to just sit around because you cannot compel yourself to move and you don't fit any diagnostic label so you can't get treatment. I literally have to draw experiences from multiple sources and try and fashion my own treatment plan but it takes years.
I'm a teacher. I never label my kids "troublemakers" or ask, "Why can't you read like the rest of the children?" or, "Why can't you behave?" I search for ways to support each and every child the best I can -- usually with family support, sometimes without. I'm a little stung by the broad brushstrokes painting teachers as intolerant. dismissive, and unaware of the issues of children with ADHD. 😢
Unfortunately, you seem to be in the minority. We wish more teachers shared your perspective, but most of our children are labeled as bad, disrespectful, and disruptive. I had to fight for an IEP so that my son could be afforded more opportunities to remain in school learning, over being sent home or in the principal office, because he can’t sit still, loves to chat, and occasionally has emotional meltdowns. Last year I discovered that my son’s desk was placed in the far back corner of the classroom facing a wall and completely away from the other students and the teacher for the majority of the school year. That was devastating! So kudos to you, truly, but we’re not all so lucky. My understanding is that most are generally focused on getting through the curriculum for the greater population of the class and preparing for standardized testing that it’s less important to change for 1 “troubled” student in need of more dedicated attention or a slightly different approach. Training and experience seem to have a lot to do with it as well- the lack of. Parents should always be their children’s strongest advocate, but even more true for children with ADHD and any other impairment that affects their ability to function as “normally” as others expect. I loved school and was always a top performer, so it breaks my heart to hear my child hates school, wants to switch, and has low confidence because of how he’s perceived and treated at his current school. Even more sad, starting a new year and getting a new teacher isn’t always the trick, because the old teachers and the principal gives notes and advise the new teachers on the student, and in our experience negativity led the opinions formed about my son’s character before even meeting him. Imagine showing up to meet the teacher to receive a debrief about how my child is anticipated being a problem!! All that to say: our kids need to be shown compassion and provided with better resources in school. Not labeling.
I absolutely agree that overall health, including a healthy diet and exercise, certainly affects how the brain works, and better overall health will also mean better brain health. That being said, there were lots of moments in this episode that I did not love. First, the discussions about ADHD symptoms were so stereotypical, and barely addressed the common struggles of those with predominantly inattentive type. It simply isn't true that people with ADHD can't sit and read a book or pay attention in school. Many people with ADHD are avid readers as long as they are reading something that interests them! More importantly, telling people that they don't need meds and they can cure their neurodivergence/mental illness by eating better and exercising is setting many people up to feel like failures. If it was so easy to follow a healthy diet and exercise, why does such a huge percentage of our society struggle with obesity, heart disease, diabetes, etc. Of course I think it's a good idea for children to be eating nutritious food and exercising, but every parent know that this is not realistic 100% of the time. The message here just leads to parents blaming themselves-like Mel saying she gave her son ADHD because she fed him chicken nuggets-that's just ridiculous and good parents who are doing everything they can for their children, don't need this additional source of stress and guilt. Additionally, there are MANY people who follow a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition and exercise, and still struggle have symptoms of neurodivergence/mental illness and benefit from medication.
I was looking for a comment like this! I have a similair opinion on this episode. I struggled a lot with hearing Dr. Palmer equating treatment with curing/healing ADHD and disregarding the genetic component of ADHD that the scientific community has consensus on. I grew up on a healthy diet, had absolutely enough exercise as a kid and my parents were religious about getting enough sleep. Guess what: still have ADHD. Both parents most likely have undiagnosed ADHD, sister has diagnosed ADD and with the about of impulsivity and bouncing from the walls I believe that my brother also has ADHD. But somehow metabolic disfunctioning is where I should point to as the sole cause of my ADHD?? I don't know, but I'm sceptic and I don't think we should take the recommendations from a doctor at face value just because he is based at Harvard. Does not mean that improving lifestyle can't absolutely make a huge different in how those with ADHD function and that makes Dr. Palmers research valuable to consider in treatment for ADHD
I agree as well. Many aspects I don’t agree with in this episode. Yes diet can impact everything all diseases…this is common sense. However this is an oversimplified and a bit irresponsible. Hey, remember the feingold diet…it didn’t do crap for my adhd lol. I eat healthy, cut my drinking wine out, workout etc and still have adhd! There’s way more to adhd than just diet…like neurotransmitters, brain abnormalities etc. etc! For many…medication etc is needed and while I don’t take anything due to health issues (I can’t take stimulants due to AVM), there is way more than just diet and exercise needed for many mental illnesses.
Yes!!! This guy minimized it to a discussion on how we should all eat and live healthy. What about those of us who do eliminate the foods they’re sensitive to and nothing changes? The smugness of this guy is incredible. He doesn’t actually understand ADHD
I was diagnosed at age 56 by my daughter. So I went and got tested. And sure enough I have ADHD. How my career and life would have been so different. I love Dr. Palmer and his work. THANK YOU MEL!!!! I LOVE YOU for helping so many!
So sweet! I am 56 too and my daughter diagnosed me the last 2 years more or less. While being tested last summer, if I am the right person for a trauma study (I wasn’t traumatised the way they looked for), I went also through a ‘screening’ for ADHD and my symptoms were highly hinting to ADHD. Not only my life would have been different, but also my relationship with my mom, if I would have known about the background of such symptoms and other issues of our psyche and mental functioning and trauma related issues. But also finding all the different forms of helping us to heal and ‘function’ the way, that we can be better for ourselves and others, is very important. I guess we need different approaches, that are suitable for each of us. Thanks for sharing this!
"Your ADHD symptoms may be the reason you have achieved as much as you have." This resonates with me! Recently dx with ADHD at 60 years old (but have known I have it for the past 30 years or so). The mental and physical energy and the hyperfocus have helped me a lot in life - with studies, with jobs, relationships. I also was fortunate to have a mom that embraced my individuality, my chattiness, my energy and told me so, so I did not feel "different" or "unworthy". This is such a great convo!
Mine has done the opposite. My parents don't speak to me anymore. Lots of childhood trauma. And only just last month at the age of 37 I have been diagnosed with ADHD and now titrating on meds, all very hard. But good news is is that me and my wife have a kiddo en route. I just hope I'm good enough by then
@@ShyamPatel-g4cSincerest best wishes to you both for your pregnancy. Your awareness will very likely help you recognize any traits in your kiddo if they are there. Your kiddo is already well ahead of the game, lucky kid. It is also quite likely that one or both of your parents has ADHD traits . Been there.
Depends on the environment. Mine punished everything unregulated including knowing things "we don't know yet" and marked this as bad behavior and unruliness. So be happy, you got lucky ;)
I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 71. My diagnosis explained so much in my life. Although I was an avid reader since I taught myself to read, however, that only happens when I read something interesting to me. I’ve had teachers repeatedly snap their fingers in my face, telling me to quit daydreaming, and telling my parents that I wasn’t working up to my abilities. I was the kid with the keen sense of adventure. I had a lot of bright or not so bright ideas. I’m a total klutz. This is just a few of my symptoms. Couple that with growing up in the 50’s and 60’s and parents who wanted a perfect child…needless to say much of my life was less than happy because I was far from perfect. I still relive my 4th grade self being made to stand in front of the class and do multiplication problems in my head in an attempt to show me that I couldn’t do it. When she finally told me to sit down I was told that she couldn’t stand people like me. A college chem professor finally after I had dropped the class twice before had me come to his office and told me that if my answer was in the ball park and I made an attempt to show my work that he would give me credit for the correct answer. Ifinally finished & passed the class! He recognized something was different with my brain. i’m going to take Dr Palmers advice and try implementing some lifestyle changes. I’ve been written off most of my life. It’s time fir a change!
I'm 65. Last week I was looking into ADHD because I have so many students these days who are clearly ADHD and often dyslexic as well. What a shock to find out that I had had classic signs of it too, all my life! It gives me hope that I might finally be able to do something about my "analysis paralysis" and chronic procrastination on major projects that are very important to me. Like you, I was the kid with a vibrant sense of adventure, a real tomboy (and later, a hang glider pilot), but shamed into silence (father worked shifts and had other issues) and berated at the age of five that if I "would just think" I wouldn't make mistakes. Every time I made a mistake after that, I attributed it to lack of careful thinking. I felt hopeless. My first grade teacher literally picked me off the floor, pinching my lips with her fingers and yelled at me for not paying attention. At that time, girls were not expected to do well at school, so there was less of the sort of shaming that you faced. I made the recommended lifestyle changes long ago, finding them beneficial in general. Dr. Palmers' advice is very helpful. In addition, very few people are willing to consider this, but I have been aware of being badly affected by cellphones since they first came out. When someone in the room has a smartphone, even hidden, or if there is WiFi or an active smartmeter, I cannot concentrate and have trouble recalling words. Some of the newer smartphones continue emitting radiowaves even when they are turned off (I've checked with an RF meter). See Panagopoulos et al. (2021) for one possible explanation for this.
@@patormsby9441 I relate to a lot of what you said - sorry you went through that - I think back then children were expected to be seen & not heard. I agree with your EMF comments & study you quoted. The Invisible Rainbow A History of Electricity and Life by Arthur Firstenberg is also a very interesting and factual read also with scientific studies. All the best. 🙂 🙏
Kids who daydream all the time would also be a symptom of ADHD. That was me all my life. I couldn't focus and went into my own world quickly. Ive always been like that ive always had ADHD. I was forced to keep on task and it was always torture and thats why I would daydream because I needed some stimulation somewhere that was more interesting than the current task. Out the window was a magica world. Homework wasn't.
This was me too - thoughts out of the window and then into my maths jotter in the form of poetry: one letter per lovely square... 😂 I love my crafts and arty stuff and books and researching/learning things, just don't ask me to do it on a set schedule or curriculum 😜 I was diagnosed at 44, already full of all the negative self-talk, forged from a lifetime of others spinning my story around the NT frameworks I 'failed' at. Sigh. Luckily I am still young enough to pour what I needed into my teen and tween, while also re-parenting little me - telling her how courageous she has always been, and how her honesty and righteous fire now help others feel braver, too; by showing them their willingness to confess when they feel vulnerable, but then go ahead anyway, is actually a strength. 🤗
I daydreamed all through school and doodled and drew on paperwork due to extreme boredom and I also had art class every day but I still got bored. My daughter is the same way
@@sarahhernandez2956 I've never been diagnosed. I'm 48. It took a Mel Robins video last year to connect the dots. I'm intelligent and love learning on my terms, but I have always dragged my feet if things are demanded of me. It had made me doubt myself the entire time. I've even thought I might be a covert narcissist. I'm not as I'm too empathetic for that. However when very basic needs aren't being met from a young age it means you have to put yourself first before anyone else because nobody that should be considering your needs first are. Also being a highly sensitive child spells codependency and internalizing being failed with being the problem. I'm pretty sure I'm an indigo child I'm here on earth for a purpose of teaching compassion.
OMG this is my experience growing up exactly. I got good grades in school with the exception of math, but I forced it and faked it. There were only a few classes and activities I enjoyed. “Regular” life was hopelessly boring to me and still is to this day. I wonder if I’ve been misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression my whole life, when I really have ADHD. I’m nervous to try such a strict diet as they talk about in the previous episode. But I’m sure if it helps, it will be easier to stay on it
I was diagnosed in 1964 as mildly retarded, they didn't even know anything about ADHD back then. I was later started on Ritalin a couple of years later and overmedicated. They had me on 80mg, which my mother told me, left me catatonic. She stopped giving it to me, and chose to just send me out of the house and in to the neighborhood til the street lights came on. I moved out at 10 years old in order to save myself due to abuse from a supposed family friend. I did survive and struggled and thrived through lifes challenges. Im so grateful Mel for your podcasts. Thank you so much. I have multiple dx's in the DSM-5.
Linda, your experience sounds frightful and you made it ‼️🫂❤️🩹 How inspiring! You certainly were not slow. You just needed help with certain functions. ADHD was just starting to get recognition in the early 1960's. It wasn't until the 1980's that it was called ADHD and it was generally with hyperactivity. Youngsters in early grade school (mainly boys) who couldn't sit still in class or they'd be class clowns and disruptive were pegged as having ADHD. They hadn't recognized the inattentive type of ADHD. I'm very curious about what happened with you. If you don't mind would you please tell me what you're doing now and how has life treated you ⁉️ You're a survivor and a winner 🏆 I truly hope you know how amazing you are. If you're not comfortable writing back I understand. No problem at all. I'm still in awe of you. 🫂💜💯🌿🥰
Omg this is what I tell people when they say “we didn’t have adhd back in our day” yes we did but people used labels like “retarded” or “backwards” … I’ve just been referred by my doctor and I’m waiting for an appointment to be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, I’m 58 in May
I am 64 and struggled my whole life, I'm creative, but not book smart and cannot sit still more than a half hour still. I never feel as smart as everyone else. THANK YOU!
ADHD here, I am creative; I just don't retain anything I read for testing and learning. Have to read the same sentences over and over. I read it many times, then I don't remember.
nothing is wrong w that. a body can be bored. it’s boring for it to read and sit there. it’s more about practice. u do t read books either but i’ve painted hundreds of paintings. lots of ways to think about “intelligence” and intellect etc
My ADHD does not need to be fixed or cured. I can see how the genetic differences in my brain makes me more sensitive and my metabolism is effected. All evidence in my medical history resonates with this. I know that this is genetic because it goes all the way back to my great grandfather, who lived in the country with food, healthy food, grown and produced and cooked by my great grandmother, and they lived a healthy wonderful lifestyle. But he had these differences, and everybody appreciated them and embraced him in their small community. Because of his diet and environment, I believe he had fewer of the negative aspects. I do not want my differences removed! I love the power of my differences! What I do need is an environment that allows me to work the way that I need to work. What I need is to be accepted EXACTLY as I am. Diet, exercise, and sleep do help with the more negative aspects of my ADHA. But acceptance, embracing my superpowers, and dismantling my mask have literally cured my anxiety and depression. My ENVIRONMENTS caused trauma and mental illness. My ADHD is not an illness. It is my gift and I’m not STUCK with it. I’m an F’ing Unicorn. Now I’m going to go eat my amino acid rich and healthy fat salad and be Shiny AF. Peace out.
Wow! Im only recently having revelation about my ADHD and that theres nothing wrong with me which I have felt for sonlg because Im not like the general norm. My husband used my Insbility to control clutter as an excuse to leave me. He made seem that I purposef to be that way and fir me it was a constant struggle to confirm to his standards. I now know way more about me and I akways express, if I can love unconditionally, we couldnt he love me without conditions. Love me for very active creative brain that I have.
Lol. Good for you! Btw, genetics has something to do with it, but something in the environment pulls the trigger..I have ADHD, and yes, diet removes the negatives of ADHD. Carnivore has helped me a lot, it’s been life changing for me. I understand people think carnivore is a fad, but it’s not. It has literally changed my life! I also have OCD/Tourette’s, and zero carb has really been amazing!
You can see that Dr. Chris is such a caring physician, not because of his incredible work, but just by the way he listens so intently and thoughtfully. Just wow ❤
ADHD since I was a kid. Never medicated til now. (42) When I was 40, I had become pretty fat from junk food, inactivity, drinking etc. So much so that I became a diabetic and actually suffered a stroke. The stroke obviously changed my life. About the only processed food I consume now is light Greek yogurt with fruit. The rest of my diet revolves around raw veg, fruit, nuts, berries, fish, occasionally chicken and I allow myself one big cheat breakfast and one nice big 'cheat feast' each once a week. I also hike 30-40 miles and bike an additional 20 miles each week. I also lift light weights and do calisthenics roughly 45mins each weekday. I don't do overkill. I'm mostly about improving mobility and strength. I'm not a bodybuilder. Over 8 months, I lost 70lbs and my A1C dropped from over 9 to 2. No more diabetes. I've noticed huge gains in confidence, positive thinking, positive attitude, reduction in anxiety, bad moods etc... So far as the ADHD goes... I was never a fidgety kid, but I was a motormouth. Talked out of turn and lacked a filter at times. I found that my greatly increased energy of late actually led to me being more HD. Haha I hike ten miles and workout at the gym that afternoon for over an hour and then about 9 pm, I have a compulsion to go out and walk 2-3 miles. Things like that. I just can't stop. I'm like a great white shark now. The mental aspect of the ADHD (I've always been more the AD bit) didn't change much at all. Still daydreaming all day. Still talking for hours about ideas for the novels I can never sit and write. Still holding multiple conversations in my mind while staring at a TV I don't actually see or writing my own stories in my head as I stare at a book and move my eyes across blurry meaningless words. I did however find that my moments of hyperfocus are more pronounced and more frequent. So for me... I'm going to need meds. I plan on living clean as well though. There are sooooo many reasons to keep it up. And it may be exactly what some of you need. Just don't feel discouraged when cutting the snacks doesn't cure all your issues.
You need to go keto to see the results he is talking about. I’m not sure why is trying to appeal to “everyone”.. reading his book he is talking about the brain energy metabolism issue and that people with mental health issues need to provide the brain with an alternative fuel sources ie FAT, ketones. As the brain can no longer take up glucose… hence why the mental health symptoms…
The elimination diet is no joke for mental health. We convinced my brother in law who has suffered from severe schizophrenia to cut dairy and try to eat more healthy and his symptoms almost disappeared. He was a different person. Unfortunately the doctor is right that everyone else in his life told him that avoiding dairy wasn't necessary and he went back. His symptoms are fully back. It was an amazing three weeks with no dairy that I'll never forget. I'm so thankful for doctors like the one on this podcast because maybe one day my brother and law will try again. ❤
Correlation is not always causation. Thinking its dairy could actually cause them to have an eating disorder because schizophrenic folks get stuck in thoughts. Until more data backs up your bias I would let this go. I mean schizophrenia tends to fluctuate with symptoms. Medication is the best way to regulate this illness, not food and not finding random unstudied ways to treat it.
I was diagnosed when I was six years old with ADHD, but at the time they called it ADD. I was on Ritalin until I was about 14, and then they did not believe that the Ritalin worked with adults. So here I am at the age of 56, with my life crashing around me, And I reached out to a psychiatrist who got me on a couple ADHD medicines and, the light has turned back on. I have to change a lot of things with my life, but knowing that I’m on the right track makes me feel so much better.
Thank you both... I've changed up my diet, no booze, no occasional weed.. no sugar and walking daily. I've been on Vyvanse for 2 months,, I wanted the best results overall. I feel much better. I believe what we put in our body and brain does show in our daily productivity.
@@adriancoroi8424I’ve followed everything Dr Palmer stated. I’ve done the elimination diets (now permanently gluten free), eat high protein, have a strict work out schedule, prioritise sleep, minimise stress, don’t drink etc etc etc. Yeah it can help a bit but it definitely did NOT get rid of my ADHD. Medication for me is a godsend
Please invite Dr. William Dodson to your show. After this podcast, I looked up and read Dr. Palmer's articles and his research journal articles. I did so because, professionally, I evaluate children for potential autism and ADHD and was concerned that this podcast is too loose with current scientific understanding. Personally, I have an autoimmune disease that is controlled by diet, which includes eliminating the foods mentioned by Dr. Palmer. This diet is not curing that disease; rather, it is not exacerbating it. Specifically, I do not eat gluten, dairy, eggs, or sugar (table sugar, honey, agave syrup, etc). This diet has not improved my symptoms from my diagnosis of ADHD. I do not doubt that a change in someone's diet could have a positive impact on the symptoms of ADHD. A person close to me who has a diagnosis of Hashimoto's has changed their diet, similar to Dr. Palmer's suggestions, and has had less 'brain fog". A very balanced approach is warranted. BTW, I was raised on homemade organic food and carob for chocolate. I had and still have ADHD.
My first thought was Dr. Barkley but Dr. Dodson is great as well. I absolutely agree that very little of what was said by Dr. Palmer is based in evidence when it comes to ADHD.
Thank you for this comment! I agree, Dr Dodson would be a great next guest!! Mel got so many podcast listeners/ viewers and this content is not in line with up to date research and ADHD professional knowledge. I can't believe this interview is from the year 2024.
When it comes to dietary therapies for mental health problems there is a hierarchy of interventions just like for example in pain treatment ( before you use narcotics you should try ibuprofen). Going back to diets first step is removing highly processed food, gluten and seed oils ( like paleo diet). If that doesn't work the next step is clean ( no " dirty keto" processed pseudofood) ketogenic diet. If that doesn't work the last step is ultimate elimination diet combined with nutritional ketosis which is the carnivore diet. I'm telling you this because I'm on step 2. The ketogenic diet and regular exercise have improved my ADHD symptoms in 70% , my anxiety levels dropped like 80% and my depression is about 90 % better. I did not get those results when I was eating just a clean paleo- like diet. Because there is still room for improvement I strongly concider carnivore diet. PS. Nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels. PS2. If you haven't tried everything in regard to diets don't give up and experiment what have you got to lose? PS3. Sometimes when you are taking medications for mental health problems and are on a ketogenic diet you might feel that they work too strong. Work with your doctor to maybe lower the dose if the side effects of medications start showing up on a keto diet or carnivore diet.
If you care about science, then read Dr. Chris Palmer's book, "Brain Energy." Don't dismiss what you don't know. He is a Harvard professor of psychiatry and neurology. In his book, he does a deep dive in surveying the research and the mechanistic explanations. By the way, it's not only which foods you exclude (wheat, dairy, refined carbs, added sugar, seed oils, processed foods, anti-nutrients, etc) but also what you include (nutrient-dense foods, animal foods, animal fat, etc). A dirty keto diet, for example, might not be enough. You might also check out Dr. Georgia Ede, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist. She also just came out with a book, "Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind." About autoimmune diseases, there is research showing their benefit from various low-carb diets, especially the keto diet. Check out Dr. Terry Wahls' protocol which has been clinically studied in reversing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Dr. Wahls developed it by treating her own MS, going from wheelchair-bound to being able to walk again. There is a ton of research like this.
My adhd is in complete remission using a whole food ketogenic approach. I also got off all my meds and resolved a dozen other issues that had been plaguing me for years. It's pretty strict, but worth the effort to feel 25 and be 60
Mel, you are guiding me through my late in life diagnosis of ADHD. I was 59 when I was first diagnosed, but I didn’t understand the condition, the stimulant meds were too strong, so I went on and off meds in a year, and then .. forgot about it for a while. I was diagnosed with a new doc in 2023 but she added Bipolar and treated me for both. I got sick on the meds and went on and off in a few weeks. that was last April. And then .. I forgot about it for a while until I heard your last years podcast and SO MUCH resonated that I have soaked up all the info I can find and I am dumb struck how much I did not understand about ADHD and how text book I am right now. I was on anxiety meds for ten years prior to all this. Now that I have been unmedicated for so long I have been able to monitor my symptoms and I have realized how much my life has been affected by this and I just want to feel better. I just started meds two days ago and I have high hopes. Thank you for sharing your story. I just started medication two days ago with high hopes.
Hearing doctor Palmer say ADHD is not a permanent condition is so hurtful for those of use who struggle with this every single day, even if we keep our diet right and exercise and sleep well and take our vitamins and stimulants and meditate and have a planner and notifications and a routine. Yes they improve our life but ADHD does not go away. Plus my sister discovered that she is gluten intolerant and removed gluten from her diet and mental health and focus did not improve. Diet is not the key for everyone.
Yeah. Glasses does not make you not nearsigthed. Crutches doesn't give you your leg back. Exercises doesn't remove arthritis. ADHD is a disorder. Many can lessen some of the symptoms or even mitigate them, but you cannot take away a disorder, and ADHD'ers are forever tied to either battle with the symptoms and effects of the disorder, or daily battle to lessen them. It's obvious how it is a choice where to set in, but none of the options is without personal costs. And even if you are able to take some advantage of your ADHD, it will never outweight the costs, because that's what disorders are.
@@pamrasey377 Hi Pam, while i am no specialist just a fellow ADHDer i can tell you what therapy I am doing and helped me : Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) .
Dr P. ROCKS!!! Finally a doctor with sense! And his calm demeanor and speech and obvious empathy towards those suffering... I cried when he shared that he felt ADHD might be the reason you are where you are. What beautiful hope for anyone struggling! Thank you to both of you for all the good you do for people!!!
I’m surprised he’s focusing on only the adhd hyperactive type. What about the innattentive daydreamers who might be sitting quietly? So many drs miss adhd in girls because of this focus.
Aside from that omission it was a great episode and I love his approach. Unfortunately in Australia he would probably lose his medical license for advocating against pharmaceutical intervention. Every autism and adhd group online and in person that I come across here specifically states that any talk of diet will have you banned. I hope more people are open to hearing his message.
@@laurelrose4826 If boys are restless and girls are sad - have them sing in a chorus every day, after school. This is the aesthetic training that everyone needs - and which the subconscious mind takes literally!
my daughter has this type unlike my son she is quite, and well behave but she daydreams and has learning disabilities which are now almost no there but has taken years of therapy learning music instruments and so on. They are very easy to missed there was people around me (at their kids school) that were really educated on this subject
@@sandralorenz630 That is very good aesthetics for your daughter to take up a musical instrument. This reminds me of how Autism employees at the Cares Cafe in Shanghai - learn instruments and rehearse together, while also treating patrons with courtesy + kindness. / Disease-like Labeling for sad or distracted students - was really purloined over from diseases that M.D. doctors deal with. These Labels are used to justify neurotoxic drugs/ECT !
Not all females with ADHD are "inattentive daydreamers" - this, too, is misleading, as for those who fit this category, cultural conditioning should be considered.
Amen! So sorry that teachers did that to you. I understand and have both myself and I was also told constantly that I just wasn’t trying hard enough and that I made careless mistakes! I went on to become an Artist and 97% of my amazing Art college was dyslexic! I then went on to teach Art in public schools where I worked constantly to change classsroom teachers understanding and attitudes about leaving DIFFERENCES! I love that she said that. I hope you continue healing. Know that you are not alone!
@kristywarren3904 WOW, only just seen this message. I'm so proud of you!. I never had a artistic side to me more like OCD, keep going 👏. Thanks for the message. ❤️
Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.
Can you help with the reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about mushrooms and psychedelics but nobody talks about where to get them. Very hard to get a reliable source here in Australia. Really need!
Yes, dr.sporesss. I have the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction and Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.
I wish they were readily available in my place. Microdosing was my next plan of care for my husband. He is 59 & has so many mental health issues plus probable CTE & a TBI that left him in a coma 8 days. It's too late now I had to get a TPO as he's 6'6 300+ pound homicidal maniac. He's constantly talking about killing someone. He's violent. Anyone reading this Familiar w/ BPD know if it is common for an obsession with violence.
Mel, your son was already exhibiting behaviors before you fed him the chicken nuggets. My mom was going through that with me. I wanted to only eat top ramen and chicken strips/chicken nuggets. I remember being such a picky eater. I knew I had ADHD at 13, I was diagnosed at 14. I use ADHD as a super power, not a disability. ❤ Take care, you're amazing.
Yes! Picky eating is rolled into ADHD. The weird textures, the off flavors. HER GENES gave him ADHD. The bad diet may have made his symptoms and behaviors more extreme. It did not cause them.
You had me at Hello. That first episode of ADHD is what introduced me to you, Mel. I'm listening to this on my way to work and am grateful to hear you provide more good stuff on ADHD. Thanks for helping us help you, to help us. 😊 Hugs
Mel, I can’t thank you enough for this. I’ve been suffering for years with ADHD, and I can’t recall how many times I’ve been told that I WAS the problem. I started bawling when it came through that in fact I’m NOT the problem. So much traumatic memories resurfaced. I will now implement the advice given and become even better. Not only for myself, but for my business and my community in which I serve. My suffering may be over and all I needed was hope and validation. Thank you!
Mel, both episodes with Dr. Palmer has been life changing! This episode brought tears to my eyes regarding my eight-year old who was diagnosed with ADHD. Also, as an avid listener on RU-vid as I admire you more than I could ever express, I have wanted to write in and suggest that you have Cas from Clutterbug- Cassandra Arsen- on the show, after I watched the episode with Dana K. White. Cas is an organizing genius! .... AND she has ADHD, diagnosed later in life. She would benefit from this amazing information that you have brought to millions, as well as being a great guest as she discovered everyone has a unique organization style , which can be broken down into 4 categories. When you were talking on the episode about your makeup being on the vanity, I was thinking: you aren't messy; you just organize differently. I love you, Mel, and as I have been struggling profoundly with anxiety, your show has been a huge encouragement!! Thank you for being my friend. ❤ Ang
As an educator, we need places in the classroom for students who can not sit for long periods, fidget manipulatives, and directives on how to cope with their busy brains.
indeed. it's almost as if it's completely normal for a child to be bouncy and energetic and not conform instantly to sitting in a chair for 90 minutes straight, and not ADHD
Mel I cannot thank you enough for everything that you do. Each time you put out a new podcast I think there is no way you can top the last episode but you always do! I have been struggling with ADHD my whole life and now my daughter is struggling as well. The stimulants that were given to her by her doctor are just not working for her. I have been wanting to take a more natural approach but didn’t really know how to go about it. This podcast was so helpful yo me. Now I feel like I have more knowledge, understanding and confidence to continue on the natural approach to helping my daughter and myself! Once again and I cannot say it enough THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! You are the best!
It is a game changer your right. Learning i have adhd gave me a new respect for all the things that make me worse: like alcohol or not enough sleep. I changed my lifestyle a lot❤❤❤
Omg this video made me cry. I put my son on medication and like you, I watch his spirit leave him. He is vibrant and energetic, on medication he withdrew from life. Thank you for saying this out loud. BTW this mom has ADHD also 😅
I am a woman, diagnosed with ADHD at age 60. Have had a year to consider the effects on my whole life. I am at the start of figuring this out. I am confused about the big wow factor here. Metabolism is still about dopamine or lack of it in the brain when it comes to my experience. Of course exercise and diet make everything better. But it does not make ADHD go away. Also, at this point, a lot of the difficulty and stress and self trash talk for me, has been going on for over 50 years. I watched my 23-year-old daughter emerge from her university-era depression and then eventually her diagnosis with ADHD. I had NO IDEA. From her research, the very first book I read was a shocker. I realized I was going to have to look at this for myself. I very much cringe to hear, “Oh, you are so successful, you appear so confident, maybe you don’t even have ADHD” WTF. I don’t give ADHD the credit for my positive traits and any success I may have had. It has all been so fricking hard. How dare you make this a quick trick thing. ADHD is not a superpower. It has been an invisible ball and chain. Dr Parker has very little to add for women, especially on the inattentive side of this disorder. The start of stimulants in addition to mood lifting medication has not made my brain less creative. It has helped my metabolism do things that my three year daily yoga practice, hiking, growing a lot of my own food in my garden has not done. I have to walk back a lifetime of damage producing self talk. I don’t look at meds as a miracle and neither is food. But maybe together it will all help me. Most of it is mental work and compassion for yourself. Something about this conversation feels misleading and disparaging to a lot of ADHD experience.
Clean Diet is directly related to metabolism , so is yoga/exercise. Many people totally came out of medications bcuz of just these 2 changes. Not to say your experience is less, but I'd wish you try it out. Read acharya balakrishna's book on food. There are some food combinations ayurveda forbids. Try a satvik diet. Hope you see the results bcuz Medications always have side effects. They might be good for brain but harming some other organ.
I just want to say that so many succesful people who were diagnosed with ADHD and dislexia are world-wide known creators: starting with Einstein and (not) ending with Jamie Oliver and most probably they would have been the "ordinary Joe" if they were what society calls "normal". So, as Mel said, I do not consider it a disease but a difference. A blessing in disguise. I know that not having to deal with that, would have meant way less creativity and growth- in the end it's just about to make peace with yourself, with where you are ,and hope for the best. And I love optimism so I'm pretty sure I'm in a good place right now. I wish you to find your good place and love yourself, as you are. All the best to you.
I agree with most of the things you are saying. Yes, thare are a lot of people with ADHD gifted but not because of the ADHD. I would say that people that are sensitive or more kinesthetic oriented are more predisposed to it but each individual has their unique talents if they are nourished they will blossom. All people are different and gifted one way or the other, ADHD or not, if they are nourished and their born genius is not killed by diferent factors. And of couse bad food will encourage and amplify whatever preexisting issues and issues will likely keep you there in that unhealthy loop. Can I ask you what kind of medication you are taking and works for you?
@@Dara-xx2mb I've never believed that I'm somehow broken and always believed that God/Mother Nature/the Universe (however you want to call It) does not make mistakes. Hence, no medication but a constant search of what makes me feel happy and lots of attention to how "disabled" people manage to stay happy and motivated. That made me look deep inside myself and find ways to manifest at my best- and yes, no drugs means A LOT of personal focus and work to achieve that. A huge impact on my life-perception had this video which I've seen thirteen years ago. It's about Nick Vujicic. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-k89u1ATig6w.html I'm far from saying that my approach works for all or for anybody else, I'm just answering your question. Wishing you a wonderful 2024 :)
It makes perfect sense about how the food we eat, and how affects our mental health 💯 I have to go back to making my healthy shakes in the morning, and making better choices for lunch, & supper, along with a healthy snacks in between meals. I was doing so good, and I still don’t know why I even stopped. It’s never to late to change. One day at a time ❤Thanks Mel for this really eye opening episode ❤️❤️❤️
He makes some wild assumptions but I didn't see a lot of proof and I am wondering why more people are not applying more critical thinking. Of course not eating well and having a disorganized unhealthy style of life will amplify, multiply whatever issue already existing. And ADHD predispose you to eat more because of the dopamine high we need or dopamine lows ee try to combat. So it's a terrific chain of actions that feeds one from the other.
Yes, what you said about food and dopamine. We are CONSTANTLY dopamine chasing. If it was just as easy as eating healthier and getting exercise, the number of people with ADHD would be significantly lower. I truly feel like if I didn't have ADHD, sticking to new habits would be so much easier. The shame that comes with failing a habit even for a day will completely obliterate my progress. It's also disheartening because the idea that eating healthy/exercising will cure your ADHD makes it seem like anyone with ADHD is unhealthy/lazy etc and that's just a social stigma we don't need added on top of the shame a lot of us already feel.
There is quite a bit of research regarding ketogenic diets and brain metabolism and they are currently running clinical trials regarding the diet/brain treatments for mental illness right now. No, he didn't bring a bibliography to accompany this interview but the research is out there if you're willing to look.
He’s telling Mel Robbins’s audience what they want to hear, that they can “fix” this lifelong brain difference with a “simple” lifestyle change and not have to rely on drugs. It’s ludicrous, but he is kind and talks slowly and clearly and says sciencey words like “metabolic” over and over. Everybody’s so busy crying with relief that they can fix themselves and their kids that they don’t notice he never gave any specifics or proof.
@@kerrydesilets4226 I think most healthy diets that help you loose weight will help your brain. The key is to have diversity and stay under calories. He says a lot metabolic syndrom, metabolic syndrom usually manifest for overweight people or skinny fat people.
I can only sit here right now and wish I could hug you right now, thank you for this particular podcast. I will be 73 in April and have always thought the same way you're describing right now. Thank you!
I'm in my late 50s and only recently discovered, from videos like yours, that I've been struggling with ADD all my life. Growing up, back then, there was no information, and definitely, my parents had no idea. I could never keep my room clean or get my homework done. I was told constantly I was lazy and "bad". I wasn't hyperactive, rather I was what my mom would call a "daydreamer".She often yelled that at me. I get overwhelmed and zone out a lot. I started taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds about 5 years ago which helped a lot, before that I was self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. I thought of myself as a party-girl and I avoided any real thought about it. I was a terrible student and dropped out of college but I scored very high on the civil service, ASVAB, (although I never went through with any of those career choices), and IQ tests. btw, I'm the worst speller, not sure if that's also a part of it. When I watch these videos I'm so overwhelmed. I don't know if I'm relieved or scared but I'm excited to get better. Thank you
I so appreciate your honesty Mel...I choked up with the 12 yo share and was so awed by Chris' empathy. Obviously his heart is in his work...so helpful to take the pressure off Mums to be perfect or else they are a fail. I work with these Mums and am grateful for this as a resource for them....shared! Thankyou!
So this episode could clearly have been an email: Basically what both of them saying is: Have an active & healthy lifestyle. Your metabolism affects your overall function and brainactivity. Things you should look at: 1) Diet : preferable more protein and lesser carbs, whole foods. And maybe you have some foodsensitivities, e.g soy, gluten, sugar, dairy. Maybe you already have allergies. The suggestion: Elimination Diet and watch for "change in your brain symptoms". This should take about 2 weeks. 2) Sleep : try to have a regular sleep-schedule, with good & restfull sleep. 4) Exercise : on a regular basis, like resistance training. Get some muscles, not bulking or try to look like Arnold. Just a little cute and strong muscle here and there. Zone2 Cardio-Exercises 5) Substance use: smoking, vaping, alcohol, psychiatric drugs, other druguse 6) overalle Stresslevel of your life
OMG Mel I just came across your podcast and WOW… I was diagnosed with ADHD/ ADD back when I was 22 yo. I am now 54.. And wow once I was diagnosed I took off in such a great way! I went to collage for nursing and was 4.0! However, with that being said.. I am still on Medicine for my ADHD ( more predominantly inattentive ) I can’t wait to hear this through til the end!
Mel, Mel, Mel… love you and your interviews… and I particularly loved your ADHD videos from last year, they really helped me (I was semi diagnosed last year at 47 also, slow to get an appointment with ADHD specialist in the U.K. unless you fork out lots of money) But.. in this interview… : - I think we covered Mel Robbins talking 95% of the time and we only heard 5% of the valuable information on what Dr Palmer had to say 🙈 - Met, if you re-watch the video and see exactly how many times you interrupted Dr Palmer’s flow of conversation 🙈 Example, I was listening intently to what Dr Palmer was saying, as I found his flow fascinating.. then at 27 minutes you completely bulldozed in and totally interrupted his flow of conversation and started talking about your son (of course, it’s valuable to hear about your own experiences, but preferably when Dr Palmer has finished what he’s trying to convey. With ADD myself, I know how hard it is not to interrupt, but obviously in an interview, the constant interruptions are disrupting - the title says ADHD in adults, but the conversation seemed mostly around kids - not everyone has hyperactivity physically - he didn’t talk about the hyperactivity of the mind in many women - and of course stimulants don’t help that - it was interesting to hear at the end about food sensitivities Again, I love your podcast videos and hope you don’t take offence at all with my critique 🙏🏽💛😌
I did find she interrupted him. She was clarifying the info and trying to reframe it in simpler terms. Also, they did touch on hyperactivity of the brain. The explanation of the conductor did touch on that. He explained that some parts of the brain were too active. Mel did a great job!
We all want a miracle solution, like a pill, or a new diet. I wish it was that easy. Arguments about lifestyle choices to treat ADHD as a primary treatment are akin to vitamin studies, they are truthy. What about top athletes who live a very healthy, but still have ADHD symptoms. ADHD makes it harder to have healthy habits, for sure, and it matters a lot, but I don’t think it is what caused it in the first place. That is the big problem with his “promise” of a cure. He’s selling something akin to vitamins.
HE IS SPOT ON! I went Carnivore ... and waaauv what a difference. ... even combined with OMAD (daily fasting 18hours, which is easy on this diet) Im ADHD Inattentive - and the symptoms are crazy improved. Both mentally and physical. After a while ... i have noticed certain foods ... Foods containing gluten kills my stomach and basically is like shitting cactus... f*** it hurts... and it makes me foggy. Next up is potato and Tomatoes ... when i eat those i get a mix like headache and dizziness.... The FUN part about Carnivore is that the body tones up like crazy ... i do do exercise .. like run a few times a week, and race karts in summer(its a bit harder than you think ;) ). Please if you have issues - try the Carnivore diet. I will not list all the health issues that have cleared for me... but .. summarized, ITS A LOT!! My son who is ADHD Inattentive as well, clears up his skin issues (acne) during the 8 days he is with me... and at moms he eats "standart diet" (still healthy compared to processed food) ... however he is heavy attacked by acne ever time. So ... that my two sense, i felt like sharing - take it or leave it ;) best wishes from here.
Does anyone here listen to Dr Russell Barkley ⁉️ He's been studying ADHD for many years. He is adamant about food and ADHD. - I have ADHD and Dyscalculia - it's like dyslexia but it affects my ability to do math and work with numbers. I had to write that cuz I would've forgotten how to spell it 😂 - But Dr Barkley says food has nothing to do with having ADHD. This man is one of the experts who deal with ADHD and all the different ways it can affect people and children. I've learned more from listening to his podcasts over the past year or so. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 68. It was mind-blowing for me. I've always known that there was something different about me. I mean I didn't fit in anywhere. I'm still highly sensitive and I'm easily hurt by others. Their negative energy is palpable. I don't know what's wrong with me. Med's don't really help. Diet? Nope - but it does help my chronic pain. I have multiple autoimmune conditions that cause a great deal of pain 24/7. I've been using opiates since age 11. I am so tired of people talking about ADHDer's being very prone to addictive behaviors. I have never been addicted to my pain medications. They put me on garbage like gabapentin and Cymbalta. My body became addicted to both of them. I never asked to use them. I want through 3 months of absolute Hell when I was wearing myself off of them. We are all different. Most people don't know what is happening to people who actually need opiates because nothing works as well. The government is at fault. I'm not going to go into it right now. Most people don't care if it's not affecting them. So, on top of the ADHD I have to deal with a lot of pain and dysfunction. Being diagnosed was SO validating 😮 I could finally understand why I was so weird. My parents never knew. It would've made a world of difference for me. Everyone is an expert on neurodivergency anymore. Everyone thing is about what you can afford to do. I found this discussion to be very interesting. But there are people in the field that find it very lacking in backup or proven besides being anecdotal. I mean no disrespect when I say that. I hold Barkley in high esteem. Him and Dr Dodson are quite incredible and their work is helping so many people. They are both with the group "ADDitude" in case you want to listen to them. I'm just questioning everything. Having ADHD is surging and people are taking advantage of it. Instead of trying to help us many just see dollar signs 🥴🤦♀️ Just do your own research before you take anything as fact.
I relate to what you are saying. What personally helped me was knowing I was an unusual personality type.......Infp in MBTI personality theory. Not everyone agrees with it, but it was spot on for me. According to this theory, infps and infjs and supersensitive...their brain works differently and they are very prone to daydreaming and often have Adhd. It is the way we are wired.
Psychedelics saved me from years of uncontrollable depression, anxiety, smoking, and illicit pills addiction. Imagine carving heavy chains for over a decade and then all of a sudden that burden is gone. Believe it or not, in a couple of years they'll be all over for treatment of mental health related issues.
To be honest, mushrooms are one of the most amazing things on the planet and it is natural, they serve in many ways not only for mental related issues.
Can you help me with a reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about mushrooms and psychedelics but nobody talks about where to get them. It is very hard to get a reliable source here in New Zealand. Really need!
Yes, Sporeville. I had the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction... Mushrooms definitely made a huge difference to why I'm clean today.
I wish they were readily available in my place. Microdosing was my next plan of care for my husband. He's 59 & has many mental health issues plus probably CTE & a TBI that left him in a coma 8 days. It's too late now I had to get a TPO as he's 6'6 300+ pound homicidal maniac. He's constantly talking about killing someone. He's violent. Anyone reading this Familiar w/ BPD knows if it is common for an obsession with violence.
Thank you so much for this. I am in a very similar situation you found yourself in, I have been pushing my GP for assessment for ADHD I have finally been able to convince him to send referral out for me for assessment. I go next week.. relief finally. I am catching up on your podcasts but my goodness thank you, I am realizing now how and what the heck is going on with my son.. who I have been trying to figure out the last few years.. and yup that's when the light went on for me.. how to be more present and compassionate with him when he tells me how TIRED he is.. after school. Your pod cast has helped our family so much.. my constant never ending exhaustion and critical self talk.. bam! thank you so much! I can't say it enough..
Okay but how do we make these huge lifestyle changes, when we are overwhelmed and struggling with regular daily life without trying to change anything ?
Sounds like an energy issue. I know exercising is great but it's near impossible for me cause my energy level is so low. I'm male and my testosterone is on the low side but also believe I have system wide fungal issues. That can cause low hormone production. So I'm trying anything natural to improve hormone levels and also to eliminate candida or other bacterial infections so my body can function optimally
All my sad emotions came back from hearing this. I left public school teaching profession because I was tired of watching kids taking medications. I believe a lot of kids are over diagnosed with ADHD and over medicated. it is heartbreaking. It is even worse for children from poor homes. I always believed food was a bigger problem for the ADHD children.
Thank you Mel and Dr Palmer for this interview. It is life-changing for me and my family. I would love an interview about diet and cancer. Most cancer docs at prominent medical institutions will tell you it has no effect as long as it’s basically nutritional.
I addressed my cancer as a metabolic dysfunction, during the pandemic because the surgery was not seen as urgent due to covid going on. By following alternative protocols as indicated by research by Thomas Seyfried, and looking into research on NIH after reading Jane McLelland wrote "How to Starve Cancer," my tumor reduced in size substantially prior to surgery. I also used the advice of a naturopath and sought out an oncologist who did not follow regular protocols. I would love Mel to interview Thomas Seyfried or Jane McLelland... their messages are similar to Dr. Mindy Pelz and Dr. Amen... in that sugar activates cell activity that is dysfunctional for all sorts of maladies! I was sooo irritated when a hospital was going to celebrate cancer survivors by having free donuts! The reason that cancer tumors show up on an Scans is because the intravenous glucose is activating the cancer!!! and the increase level of activity is scanned and diagnosed by how active the cancer tumors are!!! Yet doctors will deny the metabolism of cancers and won't address it even though there is so much research about alternative treatments. The pharma/sick care insurance industry is a problem... not supporting our body's ability to heal itself.
But I don't understand. Didn't the doctor start the conversation by saying that ADHD is a survival adaptation that humans need? Her mentioned ADHD as a super power to explore, invent, hunt, etc. Then he goes on to say that it's a brain that is not getting enough nutrients and isn't metabolizing well
Exactly. Spare us the patronizing "this is a superpower" soothing if you're also going to analyze it as a metabolic disorder. She seems to think we are also all narcissists.
Yes, I don't realy understand what he is trying to say. Is it a problem or a power, and why should this be a genetic advantege which needs to be "healed"?
I started eating keto-carnivore 9mos ago for other health reasons and my ADHD symptoms are also a LOT more manageable now. Amazing to discover many of my health issues have resolved or significantly decreased eating keto-carnivore. Seems like Dr. Palmer is onto something.
I am waiting for my 14 year old son's ADHD test results, He is overweight, has poor grades in school and really bad behavior, he's always saying he wishes I was dead😢I know he doesn't mean it. I will for sure change our diet🙌🏽
Many of the statements made by Dr. Palmer are not evidence based. Please do not make medical decisions for your child based on one interview. Understood and Childmind Institute are fantastic resources for evidence-based treatment. It sounds like your child is struggling, I hope you find support soon.
Tell ur boy to hang in there and get him diagnosed. I know exactly how he feels. Was diagnosed (by accident) at 51. Didnt believe it at all. 2 yrs later a adhd vid popped up on my utube feed and OMG!! Now my life started making sense. Anyway, I spent my entire life beating myself up and putting up with being called ‘a loser...a no hoper’ etc. strangely enough I learnt a lot from Tik Tok- my short attention. Will be seeing my GP this week as I need more help. Tell ur boy he’s not alone and he’s different in a good way. All the best
What would be the harm of just trying the dietary change for 30 days? See if a therapeutic ketogenic diet could help? It's helped me and my family so much. Good luck to you.
My 12 year old daughter with ADHD has read Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings (over 1,000 pages) three times; and, for lighter fare, all 56 Nancy Drew’s. Having ADHD does not necessarily mean that you are incapable of focused, quiet reading.
Hyper focus on things that are interesting to us is an ADHD superpower. Things that are not interesting but necessary are difficult to focus on, we get distracted and drift off.
Okay now I got to the part about lifestyle changes, and again I think that doctor got a bit overboard. I tried elimination diet for several months, i tried AIP diet for half a year (absolute zero processed foods, back to the roots), I am eating healthy (salads 4 times a week, zero fast food, lean chicken, cooking at home, try to avoid canned vegetables and go for fresh or frozen), I exercise 3 times per week, jog 5km 1-2 times a week, I am rather slim, I don't drink alcohol, don't take any substances, don't smoke, go in the nature regularly, avoid stress, I meditate regularly. I still have ADHD, depression, hormonal imbalances, and an autoimmune disease. Just because most people have a bad lifestyle and struggle to improve it does not mean that THIS is the reason why they are sick! I think it totally makes sense to make those changes, but to claim that "if only they did what is hardest for them they would be cured" is cruel. Because then they do.. and are not cured. And what then. It's telling people they are sick because of their own fault.
I am in tears listening to this interview. Mel my family and I are struggling with my daughter’s adhd, medications and doctors 😫 it’s a roller coaster of emotions and I see no improvement on my daughter. I could relate with what you were saying about your son eating chicken nuggets and not liking certain texture foods. Thank you for digging more into this misunderstood topic.
Thank you for this episode Mel! I needed this and will be sharing with friends and family everywhere. I am in a situation similar to what you described-my son was struggling in school and getting an assessment on him made my light bulb go off that I am the same way suffering from adhd or some type of neurodivergent issue my whole life and wishing I had this explanation and support when I was a kid. I recently have removed sugar from my household (with a lot of bitching and moaning from my family-the detox is real!) and as I can’t control the choices my family has outside of the home I know that sugar is/was poisoning all of us. It has been amazing to see the changes in my son and family’s disposition, brain processing and output. I feel so validated by the info in this video it actually brought me to tears too. Thank you thank you thank you 🙏🏻
Thank you. I love you and your program Mel! You are my new best friend! Thank you for bringing Dr Palmer to your show! The timing was perfect since I just started the keto plan a week ago due to a pre-diabetic screen result!
Hi Mel! I'm glad you're finally talking about this. I haven't watched the full video yet so if his name comes up just ignore this, but another expert you should look into on this topic is Dr Russel Barkley. He is THE leading researcher on this topic. Spent his entire career researching it. Something to look into!
I’m a special education teacher and would love to know how you made it through school, both early childhood, middle school, high school, and college. What was your struggles in the learning process and how can teachers have done a better job in your transitions during the education process.
As a woman with an early Asperger diagnosis (when I was postpartum depressed) that has been invalidated by 2 psychiatrists, I see myself so much in other late diagnosed women with ADHD. But I know my ASD and high IQ is masking most of my symptoms! And I see it too in my 5 year old son, who is clearly hyperactive but not inattentive because just like me or my dad or my great grand mother, he has this extraordinary photographic memory that "covers up" any inattention ADHD could produce. Thank you so much Mel for helping people like me who fall in between diagnosis criteria ;) to find a better lifestyle :D
I found your 6 signs podcast several months ago, which prompted me to get tested for ADHD. So Thank you so much! I’m 53 and just got diagnosed 2 months ago!! WOW
I think the information given is a valuable perspective, but when we hear Harvard we must not forget to keep being critical. It was difficult to hear from a expert how metabolism is blamed as the sole cause of ADHD, disregarding the scientific consensus that there is a genetic component to ADHD. Basically he is saying you can prevent your child or that your parents could have prevented you from having ADHD + implying you there is a cure? Or perhaps that is the spin that Mel gives to the conversation. That does not mean that Dr. Palmer's recommendations can't have a significant improvement in functioning for ADHD'ers. I do think that lifestyle/food is not enough looked at as an intervention for treatment and needs to play a much larger role than it is today, but I'm sceptical to accept that metabolic disfunctioning is the cause of ADHD as the absolute truth. Because what comes first: the chicken or the egg? Does ADHD cause metabolic disfunctioning or does metabolic disfunctioning cause ADHD? and like I mentioned: what about the genetic component?
Wondering the same thing when it’s been agreed upon across the medical community that there is a VERY strong genetic component. To me these recommendations can help as treatment, but the comments about root cause seem to be very dangerous.
I did not get that impression. If you listen to the other episode they did together when talks about many other conditions... he clearly indicates this is not a cure per se... but a sometimes remarkable option to alleviate and improve quality of life vastly. - There was ONE part where they talked about a change of diet/ex causing symptoms that APPEARED to be ADHD vanishing.
Most ADHD responds well to high protein, low simple carbs. Simple carbs are inflammatory and contribute to insulin resistance. Meaning that almost all of us function better on a low simple carb diet. ADHD traits as well as other genetic predispositions may be expressed differently based on what we feed our gut. The gut has been called the second brain and many conditions are affected by the health of our gut microbes. This is not specific to ADHD.
ADHD being a metabolic dysfunction of the brain and ADHD being a genetic condition aren’t mutually exclusive. Metabolic conditions are also genetic conditions passed down. As far as I’m aware we know there is a strong genetic element to ADHD but no one has been able to identify that gene yet have they?
I’ve been on ADD medication for 20+ years. Last year there were a few months where I was not able to get my medication filled because there was a national shortage. I literally couldn’t get my medication anywhere suddenly, my sleep schedule changed. I wasn’t sleeping at night at all. This happened during the winter months when the days are shorter, there’s less daylight and it was freezing cold, so I stopped running outside.. My relationship suffered my productivity suffered. I don’t want to go through that major disruption again.
Please Please do a pod cast on sleep lack of sleep people who can't stay asleep.I wake up every 2 hours.I have no Problem going back to sleep or falling asleep it's staying asleep and it's been going on for years to the point where it's starting to take a toll on my body my mental wellness my physical wellness it's horrible. I did a sleep study they found that I get 2/3 less of realm sleep than the average person I really really need to learn something about this if at all you can do a podcast please it would be so appreciated. And if nobody's told you they love you today I love you.😊
Commenting in the hopes I can be of some help, because I had similar issues. Did the sleep study specify what was waking you up? Obstructive sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, for example, are two common causes which both have various treatment options.
Well all that I can say is that my son has dyslexia, my grandchild and my nephew. They battled with reading but with new technology they can do well. They learn differently and all three are very intelligent in different forms, we need these people in the world, they are the investors, designers, artists, we all cannot be the same. What it does take is supportive parents who guide and encourage their children, it really helps a lot. When they pass their final exams at school or university, you feel so proud of them and when they get their first job or start their own business your heart swells and you feel so proud of yourself as well. It was all worth it.
Mel you truly are gifted. You have such amazing talent as you drill down until we find the answers. Your topics are just spot on every day. I too am 70 and it seems we are all being diagnosed through our children. My son has Aspergers and i have Adhd that was never diagnosed or treated. Yes that affected my self esteem alright in those days. Left school feeling a failure, disruptive, talkative and COULD have done better. My mother and grandmother were the gene pool. School was the cruelest place to be.. you spend 12 years there and learn not one life skill except to wear a condom for Aids. This is South Africa i am talking about. What an interesting podcast and Dr. Thank you. You are changing lives Mel. You are in the right job. Hugs. As parents we all carry guilt. As children with these neuro divergent disorders we carry wounds. I guess its called LIFE. When you know better you do better
In my experience, life style change (exercise & diet) didn’t make my ADHD & Dyslexia go away but enable me to capitalize them for my advantage…. I turned my life around after religiously performing DAILY fun exercise, clean diet, meditation and changing mindset. I still have ADHD & Dyslexia, and my brain is still like Ferrari with bike brakes. The only difference is: I now focus on super power that ADHD-er and Dyslexic tend to have such as hyper focus, resourceful , creative, quick problem solver etc I create a system to tackle my weaknesses such as having cleaning guy for my messiness, using AI to help spelling, use timer to remind me, automating my bills, doing 3 min walk before leaving house or office or gym so I won’t forget stuff, etc
Co-morbidities can actually be caused by having ADHD. If you have ADHD (like I do), it’s likely , as an adult especially, that you have anxiety and/or depression. They tend to go hand in hand when untreated. It can be a vicious cycle. When we struggle (especially before proper diagnosis) and society sends us messages that we are a problem, public school is not set up for neurodivergent children, our parent-figures get frustrated with our ‘personalities’…..we internalize those messages and develop anxiety as a byproduct from ‘not getting it’ like other people do around us. The frustration adds to the anxiety because we think we’re stupid or incompetent. Ex: Why can the person next to me understand something that seems so easy but I can’t? Depression and substance abuse can also become common issues down the road as a consequence of our internalization and lack of proper treatment to ADHD.
I work out 3 times a week, eat clean most meals, sleep is erratic admittedly, but I’m still all over the place if I don’t take my medication. Now, I’ve only been diagnosed and medicated for a few months and I’ve been exercising and eating clean for 2 years. Exercise helps with emotional dysregulation but I still experience all the things. I’ve even done a Daniel Fast for 40 days. I felt healthier physically, but my brain was still chaos.
Me too. I’m 40 and have been trying for years to manage with exercise, diet, stress reduction, natural remedies, elimination diets etc etc but NOTHING compares to the effect I get from taking medication. It helps so much and has changed my life for the better better
Same here Mel!! My daughter was in 3rd grade when diagnosed.❤️we stopped prescriptions this year at her request at age 14. We are taking brain supplements GABA and Vitamin b complex. She’s sleeping better, is calmer, happier.
GREAT session, thank you both! Absolutely powerful, love his passion at the 1:03:59 mark, you go Chris, I'm with you! I went on an elimination diet 1 week ago yesterday, and I already notice a change. Thank you for making this valuable information available. Oh, and in case no one told you yet today, I love you!
"Sit still and pay attention." I pay attention best when I am moving. I have realised that this is why I like to take notes when attending seminars/webinars -- I am moving. The most information I have ever managed to absorb well,is when I was cycling or gardening while listening to talking books. It was quite a revelation, as my absorption of read material (I.e. comprehension when reading), was impacted significantly by external stimulus (even the bathroom fan being on breaks into my ability to focus. Car door closing outside on the street, aeroplane flying overhead...). It is why i prefer to work at night time -- way less activity in the world then.
I just finished the video and I really appreciate all the non-medication solutions. I was diagnosed a year ago and I'm still figuring out what are my traits. But this kind of made me think that instead of going deeper into what's wrong about my behaviour (symptoms), I can focus on what makes it better. Thank you for this episode.
This video has changed my life literally! I was diagnosed with ADD back in the 90s took Ritalin for 3 weeks and my parents pulled me off of it because it sucked the life out of me. I thought growing up that it was just an over diagnosed thing in the medical community and that nobody really knew what it was. I accepted that I was normal until I changed my diet to a carnivore style diet after watching this video. My brain is now functioning at 110% and I can focus and feel dopamine rewards with anything I do. I’m motivated and I feel like a new man. Thank you for this video.
I eat so healthy, I exercise, barely do sugar, no caffeine, no drugs, no alcohol... I dont know what else im supposed to hyper control and give up! Wth! I'm 51, and im going to try medication. I'm so tired of life being so hard, with so many don'ts and so little payoff!!!
Research mushrooms and their properties, microdoses and macrodoses, medicinal mushrooms, etc.I have ADHD, dyslexia, hyperactivity and OCD, mushrooms helped me improve OCD, they helped me with ADHD. Nothing is going to cure our neurodivergence, simply lighten the load, it will give us power in what is difficult for us, perhaps it will strengthen what we do easy. It is also not necessary to cure neurodivergence.The system in which the world operates is toxic and is not in balance, it is harmful even for neurotypicals.We can take medication, follow restrictive diets, dance naked singing in circles, but nothing is going to "cure" us, we were not born in this world to be cured, the world must be cured.We suffer more, everything is harder for us, but the toxic system in imbalance affects everyone, to a lesser extent, but it affects everyone. You should do what you feel, what you decide, and be at peace with that.I wish you all the luck in the world and may your burden be lightened.
That’s why it’s ridiculous to assume only diet will help. Or a one size fit all type of approach. I think it’s best to go to therapy. See your behavior from an outside unbiased source and come up with a helpful plan. Wether that be medicine or a different routine to try out!
@@willwheatley7296 Ha! I was thinking the same thing. The entire education can be (and is) influenced by cooperations. How many years did it take to begin reversing the damage done by bs heart disease studies, paid for by large food corporations? They basically convinced everyone animal fat was bad but don’t worry about drinking 12 sodas a day.
Even dieticians are thought by Big Pharma and Big Foods. You have to do your own research and it's easy really. You don't need an expert. You just look at what we ate to become the dominant species we are and that's high fat hyper carnivore. Check your digestive tract. It's exactly like a carnivore's. Check anthropology evidence: stable isotope analysis pre agriculture. It's really evident what we should eat if you look through the fog.
ADHD and trauma response have the exact same symptoms but different triggers. Look at disregulation and ADHD symptoms. The world is full of adults who were neglected as children and are now experiencing trauma responses labeled ADHD.
This conversation just shows how off modern medicine is when it compartmentalises everything. The FIRST step in ANY mental or physical health situation should be: 1. What are you eating? How are you moving? How are you sleeping? And based on that AND full bloodwork: adjustments. ❤food effects us sooo much more than we think❤
They talk about ADHD in people that these are these confident outgoing active people. I think this is terribly wrong. Do introverts exempt from having adhd? I feed it said that the hiper activity be only in the head too. And due to that I can sit still and not move for 5 hours before im on tick tock and listen to track of time, and forget things that I can to do or why I picked up the phone to begin with.
Diet, diet, diet..... Processed foods, medication, screens, lack of time with loved ones everything impacts our brain and the more you know and understand the better you can aid yourself.
I have found that being in a state of ketosis, actually helps me focus at work, also keeps my mood stable. So I don't eat lunch during the work week... HUGE impact!!!! Then eating highly nutritious foods to feed my body and brain. Game changer
I am in my 50’s, but was diagnosed with what was called ADD at 4 years old. The doctors gave me Ritalin. Mom took me off of it the first month because she said it was like giving a child a shot of Tequila and tranquilizing them. My mother would not consider any other medication for the rest of my life. It wasn’t until I started college one of my instructor’s asked me if I have ever been diagnosed with ADHD & Text Anxiety? I said “yes to the ADHD & no to the test anxiety. Which after being tested I was told I had test anxiety too. My biggest issue throughout my life has been satisfying both sides of my brain. And remembering to stay with the same goal. I have always worked two jobs, one that satisfied my intellect and one that satisfied my artistic side. For instance, a legal secretary by day and a makeup artist by night. I went from preschool to 2nd grade. When I was a junior in high school, I wanted to go to this private Christian school. It was a self pace program. I went to school from 8:00 am to 11:00 am then went home to change clothes, then worked 1 to 9 at a department store. I was only 15 years old and I completed my junior & senior year both in my junior year. Mom insisted I go back to the public high school so I could graduate with my friends I grew up with. So my senior year I took two choir classes & graduated at 16 years old. But as challenging as school was, the challenge of deciding on a career was the most difficult to me. I finally figured out working two jobs solved the issue of not getting what I needed to be happy. I find this so interesting. I am curious as to what the doctor feels how an extremely stressful situation impacts ADHD. I personally have noticed I spin in circles when their is high drama, yelling & screaming around me. Which there is. I am currently in NC taking care of my parents. I am living with them. I hate living with my mother. She is the screaming, yelling, loud, high drama, constantly criticizing, constant insults, and complains non stop all day long. And I’m not exaggerating one bit. I cry every day of my life, but most of all, I noticed the difference in my memory, organization, time management, forgetting where I put an important document. My situation is causing unhappiness in my life. BTW, my mother & my brother are both narcissists. I over compensate for my mom. When she is rude, mean & unkind. For some reason this has caused me to over compensate by being overly helpful & kind. Isn’t all of this odd?
I don’t think so. I have a relative who’s narcissistic and rude! I find myself overcompensating to and I don’t know why. It’s okay to feel all of those emotions. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. You got this!
🤗 not qualified to tell you for sure, but I don't think much of this is 'odd'. You want to please your primary caregiver growing up, and we often bow to their chaos for survival and whatever (crumbs of, in some cases 😢) love they want to show us. This continues into adulthood, especially if you have ADHD as we have a huuuuge sensitivity around the fear of being rejected 🤗 I'm sending you hugs, this all sounds very hard. I also did the two job thing long before I was diagnosed, and it worked for me too, though you having two different TYPES is genius in my view. Mine were basically both retail, just different team vibes and products. (Been a SAHM for almost 15 years now, and terrified to try and replicate that around my life now...but we ADHDers are creative beings, I'll find my way 😉) Wishing you all the best ❤
