Demand Avoidance (PDA): What the Science Says, What It Questions, and What Actually Helps
Demand Avoidance, often referred to as PDA, is a term that evokes strong reactions. For some families and adults, it offers relief and recognition. For
Category: The Science of Wellbeing
Why I had to write about cow dairy intolerance – and what I found
For over 16 weeks I removed cow-milk dairy entirely. The results surprised me. My fatigue lifted. The heavy feeling in my head cleared. My tummy
Why You Know Things but Can’t Always Explain Them
Understanding tacit learning, metacognitive access, and context-dependent memory When you know – but can’t say how During my training, I often found myself able to
The Stress–Gut Connection: How the Mind, Body, and Bowel Communicate
Many people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) say the same thing: “It gets worse when I’m stressed.” It’s a familiar story — deadlines, family
The Hidden Overlap: Neurodiversity and Hypermobility — What Science Finds
It is becoming more widely acknowledged that some people with autism or ADHD also live with unusually flexible joints, ongoing pain, or difficulties such as
Why Going to Bed Late Affects People with Inattentive ADHD More Than You Might Think
Many people with Inattentive ADHD naturally tend to go to bed later and feel more alert in the evening. This pattern, known as “eveningness” or
Understanding Salter’s Theory of Inhibition and Excitation
How Inhibition Shapes Our Lives and How to Reclaim Authenticity Introduction to Salter’s Theory of Inhibition and Excitation Salter’s theory of inhibition and excitation explores
ADHD as a Metabolic Disorder: The Role of Nutrients, Mitochondria, and Oxidative Stress
Emerging research is reshaping our understanding of ADHD and other neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions, including autism, schizophrenia, and dementia. These conditions are increasingly being recognised
The Link Between Complex Trauma and the Immune System
Complex trauma, often characterised by prolonged exposure to interpersonal trauma, has far-reaching impacts on both mental and physical health. While it is widely known that
Understanding Autism in Females: The Need for Improved Diagnosis and Awareness
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is identified by challenges in social communication and having restricted, repetitive behaviours or interests. It’s estimated that 64% to 91% of
Understanding Auditory Hallucinations: Beyond Schizophrenia
When we hear about people hearing voices, we often assume they are suffering with Schizophrenia or another psychiatric condition, however, studies show that auditory hallucinations
Intriguing Brain and Neurochemical Pathway Similarities Between ADHD and CPTSD
In my last post, “Understanding the Overlap: How ADHD and Complex PTSD Manifest Similarly in Daily Life,” I highlighted many overlapping symptoms between Inattentive-ADHD (often
Understanding the Overlap: How ADHD and Complex PTSD Manifest Similarly in Daily Life
About a year ago, I was diagnosed with complex PTSD, and during discussions with my therapist, the possibility of having ADHD also came up. Many
Journey Through the Mind: Confronting Complex PTSD With Science and Personal Stories (Part 2)
One of the most heartbreaking and frustrating aspects of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) for many individuals is the profound impact it has on their
Journey Through the Mind: Confronting Complex PTSD with Science and Personal Stories (Part 1)
I thought I’d share a less science-heavy blog post today, even though it still ties back to scientific concepts and conditions. Instead, I want to
How Cognitive Schemas and CBT Shape Our Worldview
A cognitive schema is a mental framework that helps organise and interpret information in the brain. Think of it as a blueprint or a set
The Crucial Role of Our Metabolic System in Body and Brain Health
Exploring the Metabolic System: The Body’s Energy Network The metabolic system is a complex network of chemical processes in the body that converts food into
Breaking Dawn Blues: The Impact of Morning News Binge on Wellbeing
In recent years, a growing body of research has begun to shed light on the profound effects of social media and news consumption on mental
Exploring the Interplay of Negative Self-Talk, Self-Hypnosis, and De-hypnosis
What is self-talk and where does it derive from? Self-talk is a natural part of a human’s child development and has been proposed to have
How Your Menstrual Cycle Profoundly Influences Your Body and Mind
After delving into multiple studies to identify links between hormonal activity during a woman’s menstrual cycle and the negative physical and psychological symptoms experienced by
Benefits of Diaphragmatic Breathing
There are various breathing techniques that we’ve all come across, but I’d like to share with you the breathing techniques that science suggests as the
Evolutionary Reward Circuits of Pleasure and Their Influence on Behaviour
By examining how our evolutionary history has shaped the neural pathways associated with pleasure and reward, we gain a deeper understanding of the motivations that
The Evolutionary Reward System for Action and Moving Forward in the Face of Danger
I’ll let Dr. Andrew Huberman say it all! In summary, we possess an ancient, innate reward system that encourages us to keep progressing even when
Evolution is Driving our Behaviour!
In my years of diving into psychology and more recently, the biology of mental health, one concept has stood out: the idea that our thoughts,
Dopamine: The King of Neurotransmitters
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that plays a crucial role in the brain’s communication system. It has a profound impact on various aspects of