What If Your Brain Fog, Burnout & Mood Swings Are Actually ADHD? | Dr. Jolene Brighten 

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jolene Brighten - naturopathic endocrinologist, clinical sexologist, and an absolute powerhouse in the women’s health space - for one of the most important conversations we’ve had on this show. We talk about how ADHD often gets missed or misdiagnosed in women, especially during life transitions like pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. Dr. Brighten shares why hormonal fluctuations can disrupt executive function and emotional regulation - and how many women have been labeled lazy, anxious, or forgetful when there’s actually a deeper root cause. We also talk about her experience managing multiple autoimmune conditions, the nuanced reality of neurodivergence, and why the lack of research on women’s health is failing millions. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, or unsupported by the medical system, this episode is for you.

Dr. Jolene Brighten is an internationally renowned hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and founder of Dr. Brighten Essentials, a supplement company creating science-backed solutions for women’s health. Board-certified in naturopathic endocrinology, a certified menopause specialist, and sex counselor, she’s the bestselling author of Beyond the Pill and Is This Normal, empowering women to optimize their hormones and enhance sexual wellness. A passionate advocate for uncovering the root causes of hormonal imbalances, Dr. Brighten inspires women worldwide to reclaim their vitality through her clinical expertise, speaking engagements, and educational platforms.

A few of my favorite things we cover in this episode: 

• Why ADHD in women is often missed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood
• How hormones like estrogen and progesterone directly impact ADHD symptoms and executive function
• Dr. Brighten’s personal experience navigating pregnancy with multiple autoimmune conditions
• The link between ADHD and emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and sleep struggles
• Why perimenopause is the most common time women are diagnosed with ADHD
• Supplements that can support neurodivergent brains (creatine, saffron, omega-3s)
• How lifestyle and nutrition can dramatically affect executive functioning
• The role of trauma, stress, and inflammation in exacerbating neurodivergent traits
• A powerful breakdown of the autism conversation in politics and where nuance is needed
• Why research, patient advocacy, and clinical experience must all be part of the medical conversation

Links to things we talked about in this episode: 

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Happy listening and we hope you learned a little bit more on the art of being well!

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In Health,

Dr. Will Cole