Why ADHD Is Rising: The Overlooked Factors Shaping the Modern Brain

Why are rates of ADHD and attention-related challenges increasing across children, teens, and even adults? In this grounded and eye-opening conversation, neuroscientist and nutritional researcher Dr. Rachel Gow unpacks the lesser-known factors influencing how the modern brain develops, regulates attention, and responds to an increasingly complex world.

Drawing on decades of research, she explores the interplay between nutrition, early brain development, environmental exposures, inflammation, sleep, and stress and how these elements collectively shape behaviour and cognition far more than most people realise. Rather than reducing ADHD to a single cause or simplistic narrative, Dr. Gow explains why it emerges from a web of biological and environmental influences that begin long before a child enters the classroom.

This episode invites viewers to rethink common assumptions, understand the developmental needs of neurodiverse brains, and consider how modern food environments and lifestyle patterns may be quietly shaping attention in an age of overstimulation.

**This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any health or lifestyle changes.**