Dopamine, Reward Seeking, and Addiction Risks

When we think of ADHD, we often define it as a list of symptoms: distractibility, impulsivity, hyperactivity. But what if this view is incomplete? What if ADHD is not a deficit at all, but an intelligent set of adaptations your nervous system made to survive in a world that didn’t feel safe?

In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we’re joined by Mari De Luna, certified Neuro-Somatic Intelligence practitioner and trauma coach specializing in neurodivergent clients. Mari sits down with Elisabeth and Jennifer for a deep and practical conversation about how ADHD patterns, from time blindness and emotional dysregulation to addiction and sensory overwhelm, are rooted in nervous system adaptations, and how healing begins with honoring those patterns, not fighting them.

Together, we explore why ADHD is not an attention disorder but a regulation disorder, how sensory processing differences impact burnout and fatigue, and why tools like proprioceptive training and nervous system regulation are game-changing for ADHD healing. Mari also shares her personal experiences of managing ADHD, burnout, and coping mechanisms, and how reframing these patterns as survival intelligence changed her life.

This episode is not about fixing ADHD. It’s about building compassion for your nervous system, learning to regulate and resource it, and understanding that you can thrive with your neurodivergence, not in spite of it.

If you’ve struggled with overwhelm, chronic burnout, time blindness, or addictive coping patterns, this conversation offers hope, tools, and a new way to see your brain and body.

Topics discussed in this episode: ● Why ADHD is a nervous system adaptation ● The sensory overwhelm driving ADHD patterns ● How time blindness and burnout are linked to sensory processing ● Emotional dysregulation as a nervous system response ● Complex trauma’s impact on executive function ● ADHD, addiction, and coping behaviors ● Proprioceptive training and prefrontal cortex activation ● How to build inhibition and safety in the nervous system ● Why neuroplasticity makes ADHD healing possible ● Honoring your body’s intelligence and adaptations

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Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

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We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

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