The Dr. Brighten Show

What if the best diet for ADHD isn’t about strict elimination or food fear, but about nourishing your brain to function at its best? In this powerful conversation, Tim Frie, nutritional neuroscience researcher, joins me to unpack how your food environment, nutrient intake, and even your stress levels shape your focus, mood, and executive function. We go far beyond the hype and fear-mongering around “ADHD diets” and dive into what the science actually says about how to feed your brain for better attention, energy, and emotional balance. If you’ve ever wondered what role nutrition really plays in ADHD, autism, or trauma recovery, this episode is for you. This episode is brought to you by:  Dr. Brighten Essentials https://drbrightenessentials.com Optimal Adrenal Kit https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/optimal-adrenal-kit use code POD15 for 15% off  Chorus: https://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests! 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  Dr. Brighten’s ADHD-Hormone Sync Free Course: https://drbrighten.com/sync  ADHD and Women’s Hormones: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-hormones/ ADHD and Anxiety: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-anxiety/  ADHD and Butyrate Research: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-87546-y  Dr. Brighten Essentials Omega Plus: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/omega-plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been searching for the real answers about PCOS, fertility, and what actually works to balance your hormones, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Cory Ruth, Registered Dietitian and women’s hormone expert, joins me to share exactly how your diet, gut health, and key supplements can transform your health, improve fertility, and help you feel like yourself again—without perfectionism or unrealistic “wellness” rules. We dig into the PCOS fertility diet and the best supplements to help regulate cycles, stabilize blood sugar, boost mood, and even lower your long-term risk of type 2 diabetes. Cory’s honest, practical advice will help you take action right away—without spending hours cooking or blowing your grocery budget. This episode is brought to you by:  Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off  Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.   Chorus: http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests! 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  Dr. Brighten’s free anti-inflammatory recipe plan: https://drbrighten.com/plan Recommended supplements: CoQ10, omega-3s, inositol, and vitamin D Dr. Brighten’s episode on Insulin Resistance: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/insulin-resistance/ Books:  Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten https://amzn.to/3becjT7 Is This Normal? by Dr. Jolene Brighten https://amzn.to/3wvdgWy Tools: My Fitness Pal for tracking fiber and macros https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ ✨ Follow Cory Ruth: 💻 Website: https://www.thewomensdietitian.com/ 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/?hl=en ⭕  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrDBBp2AkdCLi2cNoAJWsjQ 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewomensdietitian?lang=en 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the intriguing link between ADHD and endometriosis, explored through research and personal stories. Dive into how symptoms like brain fog and painful periods may be interconnected. Learn about neurodivergence's impact on health and why adequate support is crucial. Dr. Brighten provides practical steps, dietary tips, and the importance of advocating for oneself. This conversation shines a light on understanding both physical and mental health, empowering listeners to embrace their experiences.

Think estrogen replacement causes cancer? Think again. In this game-changing episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with world-renowned OB-GYN and integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Felice Gersh to dismantle one of the most damaging myths in women's health. From hormone confusion and cancer fear to the power of estradiol in protecting your brain, heart, and mitochondria—this conversation is a full-body hormonal re-education. If you’ve ever been told to fear estrogen or avoid hormone replacement therapy, you must hear this. This episode is brought to you by: Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off  LMNT: http://DrinkLMNT.com/Brighten receive your exclusive gift with purchase – Helping you support your child’s development with science-backed products. Chorus: Chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription Interested in sponsoring the show? Contact us at media@drbrighten.com. Links Mentioned in This Episode: Felice Gersh’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.felicegersh/?hl=en Felice Gersh’s website: https://integrativemgi.com/ Dr. Felice Gersh’s books and research:  Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know: What to Expect During the Three Stages of Menopause: https://bit.ly/46F4qFl PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track: The 12-week plan to optimize your chances of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby: https://amzn.to/40kdPhU Pcos SOS: A Gynecologist's Lifeline To Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones, and Happiness: https://amzn.to/40MBG9V Dr. Brighten’s free anti-inflammatory (peri)menopause recipe plan: https://drbrighten.com/plan Menopause and Perimenopause Resources: https://drbrighten.com/category/balance-hormones/perimenopause-menopause/ Progestins & Breast Cancer Risk: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960076023001966 Progestin Contraceptives & Breast Cancer Risk: https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/117/5/1046/7951389  Menopause Hormone Therapy & Breast Cancer Risk: https://gremjournal.com/journal/02-2024/menopausal-hormone-therapy-and-breast-cancer-risk-21-years-from-the-whi-clinical-studies/ Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think your gut is just about digestion? Think again. In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten uncovers the surprising truth about how gut health probiotics and the right foods—especially fermented foods for gut health—can deeply impact your hormones, immune system, mood, and more. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by fatigue, bloating, heavy periods, thyroid issues, or anxiety, your gut could be the missing link—and it’s one you can start supporting today. This Episode is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off  Chorus: Chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.  .  Links Mentioned in This Episode Endometriosis Flare Guide — drbrighten.com/endoflare Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan — drbrighten.com/plan Dr. Brighten Essentials Women's Probiotic — specifically formulated to support gut health probiotics and hormone balance https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic?selling_plan=995917858 Dr. Brighten Essentials Balance Women’s Hormone Support — specifically formulated to support estrogen detox and the gut estrobolome https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/balance?selling_plan=995295266 Thyroid Deep Dive with Dr. Izabella Wentz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONw2EiGa7JY Insulin & Blood Sugar Regulation Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuEGKXDL-OE Vagus Nerve / Nervous System Support Episode with Dr. Navaz Habib: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hugVgKTRrS8 Article: Best Prebiotic Fibers for Gut Health: https://drbrighten.com/best-prebiotic/ Seed Cycling & Gut Health: https://drbrighten.com/seed-cycling-for-hormone-balance/ 📲 Connect with Dr. Brighten 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🔔 Like, Subscribe & Share If this episode helped you feel seen or gave you actionable tools, please hit like, subscribe, and share with a friend who needs this! ✨ Leave a comment and tell us what type of fatigue resonated most—we read every single one. If you’re ready to finally connect the dots between your gut and your hormones and get the science-backed steps to start healing—this is the episode to press play on. Your hormones will thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the stress, exhaustion, and emotional reactivity you’re battling every day aren’t just personality quirks, but symptoms of nervous system dysregulation? In this deeply moving and enlightening episode, I sit down with Meliza Mokrani—trauma-informed health coach, founder of Worthy Wellness Studio, and nervous system educator—to explore how chronic stress, cultural conditioning, and unhealed trauma shape your hormones, health, and self-worth. We unpack how your autonomic nervous system dysregulation could be behind so much of what you’re calling “normal,” and more importantly, how you can begin to heal. This Episode Is Brought to You By: Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off. Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.  Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten. Links Mentioned in This Episode: Meliza on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melizamokrani Worthy Wellness Studio -  Berkeley, CA: https://www.worthyselfcare.com Join the Waitlist - Mothering Beyond Narcissism Meliza’s proprietary method for a nervous system reset. Understand your triggers. Rewire your stress response: https://melizamokrani.com/mothering-beyond-narcissism/ The WORTHY App - Science-backed breathwork, somatic movement, and regulation tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://worthyselfcare.com/app/ The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – on trauma and how the body stores it: https://amzn.to/3U1brc4 Pelvic Floor Therapy Resource [Dr. Diana Mendez’s episode on pelvic health]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiHFcqE-9QM Free Nervous System Resource [Downloadable guides and tools to begin your self-regulation journey]: https://melizamokrani.com/resources/ So Informed - Instagram account for digestible weekly news recaps: https://www.instagram.com/so.informed/ Follow Meliza Mokrani: Website: https://melizamokrani.com/ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/melizamokrani X: https://x.com/melizamokrani 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten  Whether you're navigating burnout, hormone chaos, or the lingering effects of childhood trauma, this episode gives you the science, tools, and validation you need to reclaim your calm. Understanding nervous system dysregulation and healing from trauma isn’t just a mental health matter—it’s a foundational pillar of vibrant, whole-body wellness. Tune in and begin your own transformation from survival to regulation. 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten unpacks the three hidden causes of fatigue most doctors miss and the real reasons so many women are running on empty. If you've ever been told it's just stress, aging, or that you need more sleep, this episode will feel like both a truth bomb and a roadmap. Through powerful insights on PCOS, neurodivergence, and cortisol dysfunction, Dr. Brighten connects the dots between your symptoms and your physiology—so you can stop blaming yourself and start getting your energy back. Expect practical, science-backed tools you can use today to finally feel like yourself again. 👇 Mentioned in this Episode Best Supplements for PCOS: https://drbrighten.com/supplements-for-pcos/ Anti-inflammatory meal plan with 21 recipes: https://drbrighten.com/plan/ Myo-Inositol Plus Supplement: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus?srsltid=AfmBOoqXWxECOe63krZepCRoGPcPmCgB3N8CjPJndovjn0u6V5Bhg88U&selling_plan=995426338 Dr. Brighten Recommended PCOS Supplement Kit: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/pcos-plus-kit?srsltid=AfmBOopX_05VPM57CHOwvf2u-H8Rm2IpXBmoS-pYuz9BC7yoA0Urzp8T&selling_plan=1482620962 Dr. Brighten’s Insulin Resistance Deep Dive Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuEGKXDL-OE Burnout Recovery Episode (for deeper strategies on brain-based fatigue) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwYf-2orq-8 Dr. Diana Mendez on Painful Sex & Pelvic Floor Health https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiHFcqE-9QM Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on RSD & Emotional Regulation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdHqxvq2VA8 Vagus Nerve Episode: How to Reset Your Nervous System https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hugVgKTRrS8 Is This Normal? by Dr. Jolene Brighten – Includes libido support & lube recommendations: https://amzn.to/3wvdgWy Beyond The Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten: https://amzn.to/3becjT7 🎙 This Episode Is Brought to You ByDr. Brighten Essentials: Optimal Adrenal Kit - Restore your energy naturally and get better sleep. Use CODE  POD15 for 15% off  https://drbrightenessentials.com LMNT: http://DrinkLMNT.com/Brighten receive your exclusive gift with purchase – Helping you support your child’s development with science-backed products. 📲 Connect with Dr. Brighten 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🔔 Like, Subscribe & Share If this episode helped you feel seen or gave you actionable tools, please hit like, subscribe, and share with a friend who needs this! ✨ Leave a comment and tell us what type of fatigue resonated most—we read every single one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, Why is my body changing even though I haven’t? — this episode is your permission slip to stop blaming yourself. In this deep, funny, and jaw-droppingly real conversation, I sit down with Liz Wolfe, certified personal trainer, nutrition expert, and author of Eat the Yolks, to break down the real reasons women feel like their metabolism crashes in their 40s—and how to become forever strong without starving, punishing workouts, or obsessing over “clean eating.” We go far beyond food and calories and into the hormonal chaos, generational diet trauma, and lifestyle stressors that collide in perimenopause to make women feel like they're falling apart—when really, their bodies are just asking for something different. Something wiser. Something that leads to forever strong health and energy. 🛍️This episode is brought to you by: Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off  LMNT: http://DrinkLMNT.com/Brighten receive your exclusive gift with purchase – Helping you support your child’s development with science-backed products. Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. ✨Want to support the show? Check out these incredible brands that help us bring you conversations that end the gatekeeping and get women the answers they deserve.Links Mentioned in This Episode: Liz Wolfe’s Eat the Yolks (book): https://amzn.to/44mepgl Liz Wolfe’s program with protein calculator + TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) tool: https://idealage.com/drbrighten Liz Wolfe’s podcast: https://idealage.buzzsprout.com/2449189/follow Dr. Brighten’s Free Perimenopause Weight Loss Plan: http://drbrighten.com/plan  Article: Breakfast with 30 Grams of Protein https://drbrighten.com/breakfast-with-30-grams-of-protein/ Article: How Much Protein Do Women Need https://drbrighten.com/how-much-protein-should-women-have/  👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:  💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 🎙️ Follow Liz Wolfe : 💻 Website: https://realfoodliz.com/ 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realfoodliz/  👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert conversations that help you take charge of your hormones and your health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that when estrogen drops during perimenopause and menopause, ADHD symptoms can skyrocket? If you’ve felt like your ADHD got worse overnight—or that your once-manageable brain fog, mood swings, or forgetfulness have taken over—you're not imagining things.  In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, we uncover the science behind how hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, insulin, and testosterone profoundly impact the ADHD brain and why menopause and perimenopause make those effects louder, messier, and harder to ignore. If you're a woman navigating perimenopause and ADHD, or wrestling with brain fog and menopause, this conversation is the empowering knowledge bomb you’ve been waiting for. 🎧 Mentioned in This Episode: Free ADHD Hormone Sync Mini Course — https://drbrighten.com/sync/ Free Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan for Hormone & Brain Support — https://drbrighten.com/plan/ Sleep & ADHD Episode: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-sleep-hormones/ ADHD Types & Hormones: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-types-and-hormones/ Insulin & Blood Sugar Episode with Lab Guide: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/insulin-resistance/ Perimenopause Weight Loss & Exercise Strategies: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/perimenopause-how-to-lose-weight/ Menopause Hormone Therapy or HRT to Manage Menopause Symptoms: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/symptoms-of-menopause/ PMDD, Histamine & Neurodivergent women: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/menstrual-cycle-and-hormone-health/ ADHD Burnout Recovery: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-burnout/ Vaginal Estrogen Therapy: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/hrt-for-menopause/ Dr. Brighten Essentials Supplements Discussed: Omega-3s (2000mg/day) for brain structure, mood, and inflammation https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/omega-plus?selling_plan=995557410 Magnesium Glycinate (300mg at night) for nervous system and sleep https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/magnesium-plus?selling_plan=995459106 HRT Protocols Mentioned: Oral micronized progesterone (100–200mg at night) Topical estrogen (e.g. 0.025mg estradiol patch) Testosterone replacement based on labs: Total T, Free T, SHBG 🙌 Support the show by supporting our sponsorsDr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off DUTCH Test: Advanced hormone testing for clearer clinical insights—new providers get up to 5 Complete tests at 50% off. https://dutchtest.com Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 👍 If this episode hit home, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Turn on notifications so you never miss a moment of hormone + ADHD truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Justin Janoska, founder of The Autoimmune Revolution, dives into the profound effects of complex trauma on women's health and autoimmune disorders. He reveals how unresolved emotional pain can manifest as physical ailments like thyroid dysfunction and chronic fatigue. The conversation also highlights the significance of heart rate variability, the impact of medical gaslighting on women's health, and the necessity of holistic healing approaches. Janoska advocates for building resilience through practices like meditation, transforming personal narratives around health, and fostering community connections.