ADHD, Anxiety & Depression All Have The Same Root Cause

When it comes to ADHD, anxiety, depression, other neuro issues, or even everyday stress, we often treat them as separate issues. But the truth is—they all share a common root: inflammation of the brain.

When your brain is on fire from excessive amounts of inflammation, it malfunctions. Stress is the #1 cause of acid (AKA inflammation), and toxins are the next leading cause. 

Trapped in Cortisol

When you’re stressed, your body pumps out cortisol, your “fight, flight, or freeze” hormone. In small doses, it’s helpful. But our bodies and brains were not designed to be drowning in cortisol 24/7.

Think about it this way: Cortisol gave our ancestors the ability to run away from bears, and when that is happening, it’s fine that your body shuts down its immune system and you don’t focus on anything but safety.

However, your primitive brain can’t distinguish between a real physical threat (such as running from actual danger) and a perceived one (like a tough meeting, unpayable bills, or marital stress). Our bodies are living in survival mode – not optimal health mode.

• Your brain can’t focus.
• Your immune system can hardly function.
• Your digestive system checks out.

To your body, stress is stress. And stress puts your whole system on lockdown—and clings on to fat for dear life!

Why Stress Wrecks Digestion

Here’s something most people don’t realize: when you’re stressed, your body stops producing stomach acid (HCl) and digestive enzymes.

That means even if you’re eating the cleanest organic foods, your body can’t properly digest and absorb them.

It’s not what you eat—it’s what you digest and absorb.

So yes, you can literally be malnourished while eating the “perfect” diet if your gut is shut down by stress. Meaning, all those “brain superfoods” you are eating are not getting ABSORBED in your body and brain.

The Gut-Brain Connection

Your gut is your first line of defense against pathogens, toxins, and infections. But when stress and inflammation damage the gut lining, it becomes an open doorway for invaders to slip into your microbiome and wreak havoc. This is where the brain-cut connection comes in

And here’s where it gets serious:

• Serotonin (happiness hormone): Mostly made in the gut.
• Your immune system (what fights off diseases): Centered in the gut.
• Your nervous system (stress, thoughts, and emotions): Directly connected to the gut.

When your gut is on fire, your brain is on fire. That’s the gut-brain connection in action.

So, it’s no wonder kids (and adults) struggling with ADHD, brain fog, anxiety, or depression often have a gut that’s inflamed and out of balance.

The Hidden Trigger: Food Sensitivities

Here’s something that most people don’t think about—your body could be negatively reacting every single day to foods you think are “healthy.” That reaction triggers inflammation in the gut, which fires up inflammation in the brain.

For example, I have a friend whose food sensitivities included her favorite afternoon snack—bell peppers and hummus. While both are “healthy” foods, her body doesn’t handle them well. As soon as she stopped eating them, her face cleared up, stomach flattened, and energy reappeared. 

That’s why we always say: test, test, test. Don’t guess. Discover what your body is reacting to and eliminate it from your life. If you are ready for answers, my Acid-Kicking Git Lab Package will assess the health of your gut microbiome and provide a customized plan of action. 

Breaking the Cycle: Regain Focus, Clarity & Calm 

You are in control of your life–and your family. Take the reins and be the gut-healing superhero your family needs!

Here are specific steps that—and your family—can take right now to start thriving in school, work, home, friends, and everywhere else your beautiful life takes you! You are designed to feel happy, bright, calm, and motivated to pursue your big dreams.

Let’s give you the YOU that can be!

1. Give your gut the protection and nourishment it needs to thrive: 2 scoops of Gut Punch a day. It’s tasteless, so you can dump it into smoothies, toddler sippy cups, shoot it down, or even get creative and make gummy candies with it!
   
   
2. Make sleep a top priority. Do whatever it takes, because when you are exhausted, everything is stressful and more overwhelming. Here are a few of my top sleep hacks.
   
   
3. Get outside and move your body. I know it sounds too simple to be true, but I can’t stress how effective putting your bare feet on grass (grounding), feeling the sun on your skin, and moving your body is for your mental and emotional wellbeing. 
   
   
4. Give your mind, body, and soul liquid health and happiness. Say NO to back-to-school sickies, winter never-ending illnesses, and depression with Acid Kicking Vitamin D+K. Get insight into why Vitamin D is essential for babies, kids, teens, and adults via this blog post.
   
   
5. Detox with the Sh*t Shot. The majority of Americans are carrying around 5 lbs of toxic poop in the front center part of their stomachs (this may be why it’s so hard for you to flatten your stomach). Dump out the toxic waste that’s destroying your gut and flatten your stomach with The Sh*t Shot!

When you cool inflammation in the gut, you quiet the storm in the brain. Focus improves. Anxiety drops. The fog lifts. Your kid’s teacher reports that they are doing better in school.

That’s how you Get Off Your Acid—and get back to your best self.

Let’s goooooo!