How Our Gut-Brain Health Affects ADHD and How to Calm Inflammation

May 18, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Josh Dech, a holistic nutritionist and consultant, shares his journey of overcoming ADHD and severe gut issues. He explores the crucial gut-brain connection, revealing how gut health can directly influence ADHD symptoms. Listeners learn about practical lifestyle changes that promote brain health, like sleep management and stress-relief techniques. Josh also emphasizes the evolving research on gut health and its implications, offering hope and empowerment for better focus and emotional wellbeing.

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INSIGHT

Gut-Brain Connection Explained

The gut and brain share early developmental origins and are deeply connected via the vagus nerve.
Up to 90% of neurotransmitters are produced in the gut, impacting brain function and ADHD symptoms.

ANECDOTE

Josh's Gut and ADHD Struggle

Josh Dech shared how severe gut issues and undiagnosed ADHD led to extreme symptoms and medication struggles.
His experience included 15 bowel movements a day and emotional instability worsened by ADHD meds.

ANECDOTE

Journey to Healing and Helping

Josh transitioned from struggling with gut issues to studying holistic nutrition with mentorship.
His recovery inspired him to help others heal using functional medicine approaches.

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🌟 My new book, The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit, is available to preorder here 🌟

In this week's wisdom episode, I chat with Josh Dech, a holistic nutritionist and physician’s consultant, about the often-overlooked link between gut health and ADHD.

Josh shares his personal journey with ADHD and severe gut issues, and how healing his digestive system transformed not only his physical health, but also his focus, energy, and emotional wellbeing. With over 300 cases of Crohn’s and Colitis reversed under his belt, Josh brings a refreshing and hopeful perspective to ADHD management through lifestyle changes.

This episode is packed with practical tips and thought-provoking insights that empower you to take control of your gut - and in turn, your brain.

What You’ll Learn:

✨ How the gut-brain connection works through the vagus nerve and it's role in ADHD

✨ The role of the gut microbiome in focus, mood, and brain inflammation

✨ Josh’s personal and family experience with gut issues and understanding his body supported his healing

✨ The need for quicker research dissemination and the power of medicine and social media

✨ How current research on gut health is becoming mainstream through medicine and social media

✨ Practical tips to reduce brain inflammation, including sleep, stress management, routine, and exercise

Timestamps:

01:53 – What is the gut-brain connection?

07:05 – Josh’s journey of healing gut issues and ADHD

11:51 – How your gut impacts brain chemistry

14:34 - Understanding Sleep and Health Management

Tune in now if you’re curious about natural, practical ways to support your ADHD through gut health and daily wellbeing practices.

Find out more about Josh and his work via his website, gutsolution.ca or via Instagram.

Links and Resources:

⭐ Book on to the next ADHD Wellbeing Workshop about RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) Click here to book.

⭐ Perfectionism, Pressure, Procrastination, Productivity, and all the ADHD Ps in between! Workshop available to buy now on-demand. Click here to purchase.

⭐ If you love the podcast but want more ADHD support, get a sneak peek of my brand new book, The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit and pre-order it here!

Find all of Kate's popular online workshops and free resources here

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Kate Moryoussef is a women's ADHD lifestyle and wellbeing coach and EFT practitioner who helps overwhelmed and unfulfilled newly diagnosed ADHD women find more calm, balance, hope, health, compassion, creativity and clarity.

Takeaways:

Understanding the connection between gut health and ADHD can significantly impact symptom management.
Managing gut health is crucial for ADHD individuals, as it can directly influence brain function.
Simple lifestyle choices, like regular sleep schedules and dietary adjustments, can improve ADHD symptoms.
The influence of environmental factors on neurodivergence emphasizes the importance of mindful living.
Emphasizing a holistic approach to health can empower individuals with ADHD to reclaim their wellbeing.
Awareness of the gut-brain connection is vital for addressing ADHD and overall mental health.