The Dr. Brighten Show

Brain inflammation may influence behavior, sensory processing, sleep, mood, and cognition in ways many families never realize. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten and Dr. Pejman Katiraei explore the connections between the immune system, gut health, environmental exposures, ADHD, autism, PANS/PANDAS, and neuroinflammation; view the complete show notes at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/brain-inflammation-and-behavior/

Neurodivergence Is Not the Problem

This episode does not suggest that autism or ADHD should be erased, “fixed,” or reduced to inflammation.

Instead, the conversation explores an important distinction:

A person’s neurodivergent wiring may be an intrinsic part of who they are.

Pain, severe anxiety, sleep disruption, gut dysfunction, overwhelming sensory sensitivity, aggression, or sudden regression may represent additional challenges affecting that person’s quality of life.

Understanding that distinction can help families support the whole person without treating their identity as a disease.

Signs That May Deserve a Closer Look

These symptoms do not confirm a diagnosis, but clusters of symptoms may warrant a more comprehensive conversation with a qualified healthcare professional:

Sudden or dramatic changes in behavior

New fears, phobias, compulsions, or repetitive thoughts

Severe sensory sensitivity to sound, touch, clothing, food, or water

Chronic constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, reflux, or bloating

Eczema or recurring skin symptoms alongside digestive concerns

Restrictive eating that appears driven by texture, smell, or sensory distress

Significant sleep disruption or waking consistently during the night

Repeated ear infections, respiratory infections, or unexplained inflammatory symptoms

Symptoms that worsen after illness, certain foods, antibiotics, or environmental exposures

A child expressing beliefs such as “I’m bad,” “I’m mean,” or “I’m stupid” after struggling to control their behavior

Always work with an appropriately licensed healthcare professional before beginning medications, antifungals, restrictive diets, parasite protocols, or treatment for suspected mold-related illness.

👨‍⚕️ About Dr. Pejman Katiraei

Dr. Pejman Katiraei works with children and families experiencing complex combinations of behavioral, neurological, immune, gastrointestinal, and environmental health concerns. In this episode, he shares clinical observations from his work with children experiencing neuroinflammation, sensory challenges, PANS/PANDAS, gut dysfunction, and significant behavioral changes.

Dr. Pejman Katiraei’s Website: https://drkatiraei.com/

Dr. Pejman Katiraei’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholistickids/?hl=en

Dr. Pejman Katiraei’s Substack: https://pkatiraei.substack.com/

👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Jolene Brighten

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, Certified Menopause Practitioner, nutrition scientist, certified sex counselor, bestselling author, and host of The Dr. Brighten Show. Her work focuses on women’s hormones, reproductive health, ADHD, neurodivergence, perimenopause, menopause, and the complex ways the brain, immune system, gut, and endocrine system interact.

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⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It does not replace individualized medical advice. Always consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional regarding symptoms, testing, medications, supplements, environmental concerns, or treatment decisions.
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Melatonin benefits extend far beyond helping you fall asleep. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I sit down with nutrition scientist Dr. Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CNS, IFMCP, to explore the surprising science behind melatonin, circadian rhythms, color, inflammation, brain health, and why being deficient in darkness may be one of the most overlooked threats to your long-term health. For additional resources, research, and key takeaways, be sure to visit the full show notes at
https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/melatonin-benefits/

Whether you're struggling with poor sleep, hormone imbalance, chronic inflammation, or simply want to optimize healthy aging, this conversation will completely change how you think about light, darkness, and the body's innate healing capacity.

Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

In This Episode You'll Learn

Why melatonin is one of the body's most important molecules, not just a sleep hormone

How darkness influences your hormones, brain health, and longevity

The surprising role melatonin plays in your mitochondria and cellular energy

Why melatonin supports your immune system and helps regulate inflammation

How declining melatonin may contribute to brain aging and neurodegenerative disease

The critical difference between morning sunlight and evening light exposure

How different colors may influence mood, hormones, creativity, and healing

Why the colors of the foods you crave may reveal more than you think

The emotional connections behind food cravings and emotional eating

Why creative expression may be essential for emotional and physical healing

The powerful relationship between stress, inflammation, and self-talk

Simple daily habits that support healthy circadian rhythms and hormone balance

About Dr. Deanna Minich

Dr. Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CNS, IFMCP is an internationally recognized nutrition scientist, educator, author, and functional medicine expert. She has published extensively on nutrition, phytochemicals, metabolism, inflammation, detoxification, and whole-person health, and is widely known for her work connecting food, color, physiology, and emotional well-being.

About Dr. Jolene Brighten

Dr. Jolene Brighten, NMD is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, Certified Menopause Society Practitioner (NCMP), nutrition scientist, and bestselling author specializing in women's hormone health, ADHD in women, fertility, autoimmune disease, and longevity.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Deanna Minich

🌐 Website: https://deannaminich.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannaminich

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deannaminich

🔗 Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten

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📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

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💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjolenebrighten

❤️ Support The Show

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📤 Share this episode with someone who struggles with sleep, hormones, or chronic inflammation

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⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications, supplements, or treatment plan.
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Chronic inflammation is at the root of many of today's most common health conditions, including autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, leaky gut, chronic pain, fatigue, and brain fog—but it's often overlooked until significant damage has already occurred. View the full show notes, research, and resources mentioned in this episode at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/chronic-inflammation/ .

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Dr. Daniel Cárdenas, a conventionally trained physician, functional medicine practitioner, and medical homeopath, to explore why inflammation rarely exists in isolation. Together, they discuss how the gut, immune system, thyroid, nervous system, mitochondria, sleep, nutrition, stress, and environment all interact to influence long-term health—and what you can start doing today to address inflammation at its source.

Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

In This Episode You'll Learn:

Why chronic inflammation is involved in many chronic diseases—not just autoimmune conditions

The difference between acute and chronic inflammation

Early signs your body may be chronically inflamed

How mood changes and fatigue can be symptoms of inflammation

The laboratory markers that may help evaluate inflammation

Why ferritin doesn't always tell the full story

What leaky gut really is—and why it matters

How molecular mimicry may contribute to autoimmune disease

Why Hashimoto's is more than a thyroid problem

The surprising discussion around gluten sensitivity

How elimination diets should actually be used

The Five R framework for gut healing

The relationship between stress, the nervous system, and digestion

Why mindful eating may improve digestive health

The importance of chewing your food

Traditional Mexican cuisine and food as medicine

The science behind capsaicin and gut health

Lifestyle habits that support immune regulation

The role of vitamin D, omega-3s, and mitochondria

Why movement matters for autoimmune disease

Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pain

Environmental toxins, liver health, and detoxification

Why healing requires more than medication alone

Connect with Daniel Cardenas

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_danielcardenas/?hl=en

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.danielcardenas

Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten

🌐 Website: https://drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJoleneBrighten

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjolenebrighten

Subscribe for more evidence-based conversations on hormones, autoimmune disease, metabolism, thyroid health, menopause, nutrition, and functional medicine.

Show notes, studies, and additional resources: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/chronic-inflammation/
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What happens when being the strong one becomes the reason your body starts breaking down? In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten explains how chronic stress, hypervigilance, nervous system dysregulation, and emotional over-functioning can contribute to burnout, hormone symptoms, autoimmune disease, and chronic illness. For additional resources and references, visit the show notes at
https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/being-the-strong-one/

Whether you're the woman everyone depends on, the caregiver, the fixer, or the one who never asks for help, this conversation will help you understand why your body may be asking you to finally put the weight down.

Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

In This Episode You'll Learn:

Why "being the strong one" isn't just emotional—it's biological

How chronic hypervigilance rewires your nervous system

Why capable women often become invisible when they need support most

The connection between stress, hormones, autoimmune disease, and burnout

Why your symptoms may be your body's way of protecting you—not betraying you

Three powerful mindset shifts that can begin your healing today

This Episode is Sponsored By

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