🌿 ADHD and Inflammation: A Body–Brain Connection

Introduction & Background

Dr. James Kustow, a UK psychiatrist specializing in adult ADHD, shared both personal and professional reasons why he studies inflammation. He grew up with undiagnosed ADHD and only learned in his 30s what his struggles meant. Alongside that, he dealt with allergies and inflammatory conditions that at the time felt “normal.” Later in life, his own battle with Lyme disease and his daughter’s autoimmune brain condition (PANDAS) made the link between inflammation and neurodevelopmental symptoms impossible to ignore. For him, ADHD has never been just a brain story — it’s also a body story.

Why Inflammation Matters in ADHD

Research now shows that people with ADHD are more likely than the general population to live with physical health issues tied to inflammation, like asthma, eczema, allergies, autoimmune disease, thyroid disorders, type 1 diabetes, and chronic pain. Inflammation doesn’t stay confined to the body. It can shape how the nervous system works, influencing irritability, fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, and even the intensity of ADHD traits.

The 10 Domains of Dysregulation

To capture the full picture of ADHD, Dr. Kustow describes ten “domains of dysregulation.” The familiar ones — attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional regulation — are only the beginning. Others include sleep, sensory processing, circadian rhythm, reward sensitivity, energy use, arousal, and immune balance. This broader model reframes ADHD as a condition of multi-system regulation, where inflammation and immune imbalance play central roles.

Evidence for the Inflammation–ADHD Link

The evidence for the inflammation link comes from many angles. ADHD often co-occurs with allergic, autoimmune, and inflammatory conditions. Blood tests show higher levels of inflammatory markers in people with ADHD. Pregnancies complicated by obesity, infection, or autoimmune activity increase the risk of ADHD in children. The gut microbiome also seems to differ, with food sensitivities and nutritional factors like low vitamin D, iron, and omega-3s tied to symptoms. Altogether, this paints inflammation as more than a coincidence — it’s part of the core story of ADHD.

Hypermobility, Mast Cells, and the “Somatic Super Syndrome”

Hypermobility adds another layer. Around half of people with ADHD are also hypermobile, meaning their connective tissue is more elastic than average. This can lead to dizziness, pain, gut issues, and fatigue. Hypermobility often overlaps with mast cell activation, where the immune system reacts too strongly to triggers like stress, hormones, foods, or toxins. Dr. Kustow calls this combination — hypermobility, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and mast cell activation — the “Somatic Super Syndrome.” This cluster doesn’t just cause body symptoms. It feeds directly into brain-based symptoms like ADHD traits, anxiety, brain fog, and mood shifts.

Environmental Triggers

Mast cells, the immune system’s “first responders,” play a key role. They release chemicals like histamine when triggered by infections, allergens, stress, mold, toxins, or hormonal changes. For many ADHD women, this helps explain why symptoms intensify around menstruation, perimenopause, or stressful life events.

Genes and Inflammation

Genetic research supports the link. ADHD is not only tied to brain-related genes — some associated genes also affect immune function and connective tissue. Biology itself may connect ADHD to inflammation and hypermobility, not just lifestyle or environment.

Practical Implications

This means supporting both the brain and the body. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, protein, and healthy fats is associated with lower inflammation. Some people benefit from adjusting gluten, dairy, or high-histamine foods. Mapping personal symptom triggers — noticing if flares happen after certain foods, in moldy environments, or around hormone shifts — can give insight. Medical support may include antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, or targeted supplements. Just as important is validation: understanding that ADHD involves the whole body can reduce shame and help people seek care that fits.

🌟 Key Takeaways

• ADHD often involves immune and inflammatory processes, not just brain-based differences.
• Conditions like allergies, autoimmune disorders, hypermobility, and chronic pain are more common in ADHD.
• The Somatic Super Syndrome (hypermobility + dysautonomia + mast cell activation) can drive both body and brain symptoms.
• Hormonal changes, stress, infections, and toxins can worsen ADHD traits by fueling inflammation.
• Genes connect ADHD to immune function and connective tissue, strengthening the biology behind these links.
• Diet, lifestyle adjustments, medical support, and validation can help reduce inflammation’s impact.
• For ADHD women, understanding this body–brain link is especially important, since hormones and immune shifts shape symptoms across the lifespan.