Adult ADHD or Overstimulated?
Are you constantly fighting chronic procrastination or feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? In this episode host Jamie sits down with Dr. Colleen Hartwick, a licensed naturopathic physician based in Campbell River, BC, who specializes in mental health. Together, they explore a major trend taking over modern wellness: the surging number of adults seeking diagnoses for Adult ADHD and wondering if their lack of focus is a heritable neurodevelopmental condition or simply a byproduct of modern overstimulation.
True ADHD vs. Lifestyle-Induced Inattention
Dr. Hartwick explains that telling the difference between a clinical diagnosis and lifestyle-related brain fog can be tricky because the symptoms mirror each other closely. However, understanding the core differences is key to finding the right treatment path:
- True ADHD: A heritable, neurodevelopmental condition with distinct genetic markers. It begins in childhood, remains pervasive across multiple life domains, and fundamentally impacts the brain’s ability to regulate attention, motivation, and executive function (planning, impulse control, logic, and reasoning). Key neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin are genetically altered.
- Lifestyle-Induced Inattention: This type of focus issue fluctuates based on day-to-day choices and stressors. It is less pervasive across a lifespan and typically worsens under modern conditions like poor sleep, stress, sedentary habits, or excessive screen time.
The Dopamine Trap of Modern Life
Why are so many adults experiencing ADHD-like symptoms today? Dr. Hartwick points directly to our altered dopamine pathways. Dopamine is the crucial neurochemical reward system that helps us narrow our focus and ignore outside distractions.
"Constant notifications, multitasking, and doom scrolling hijack your dopamine system. Watching twenty 10-to-15-second video reels in a row resets your brain's stimulation threshold so high that anything slower-paced feels incredibly boring."
The Three Pillars of Natural Focus
To naturally restore your executive function and quiet an overactive mind, Dr. Hartwick recommends mastering three non-negotiable lifestyle pillars before turning to advanced clinical protocols:
- Sleep: The absolute foundation of health. During deep sleep, the prefrontal cortex recharges, which is responsible for executive function and delaying gratification. Poor sleep directly impairs focus.
- Diet & Blood Sugar Regulation: Fluctuating blood sugar levels sabotage cognitive performance. Spikes cause neuronal fatigue, while crashes trigger stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Ensure your meals feature adequate protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep energy stable.
- Movement: Physical activity increases levels of acetylcholine (critical for learning and memory) and dopamine. For those stuck at a desk all day, Dr. Hartwick suggests "exercise snacks"—short bursts of movement like squats or quick walks between tasks to keep neurotransmitters elevated.
The Supplement Guide for Cognitive Support
When lifestyle foundations are set, targeted supplementation can provide substantial relief. Dr. Hartwick shares her favorite clinic-tested recommendations:
- Foundational Micro-Nutrients: High-quality Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) to reduce neuroinflammation; Probiotics to support the gut-brain axis; and minerals like Magnesium, Zinc, and Iron, which serve as necessary co-factors for dopamine synthesis.
- B-Vitamin Complex: Specifically B6, B12, and folic acid to support methylation and the production of vital brain chemicals.
- In-the-Moment Focus: L-Theanine, an amino acid from green tea that boosts GABA activity to hit the "brakes" on overthinking within 15–20 minutes.
- Stress Buffers: L-Tyrosine (the direct building block for dopamine) and adaptogens like Rhodiola and Ashwagandha to protect attention spans from high cognitive loads.
