Reframing Neurodivergence: Why the Brain and Body Must Be Understood Together

By Dr Rachel V. Gow, PhD, RNutr, FHEA

Child Neuropsychologist, Nutritional Neuroscientist and Founder of Nutritious Minds Trust Charity

The field of psychiatry has primarily focused on observable behaviour to diagnose Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for close to 60 years. The formal diagnostic manual initially began with the American Psychiatric Association in 1968, and in 1952, the first version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, was published and has since been updated to the Fifth Edition published in 2013 (DSM-5) (Mahone & Denckla, 2017). These diagnostic guidelines have framed ADHD by behavioural and cognitive traits, resulting in a brain-only narrative that is persistently repeated by the wider public.

However, modern science, is recognising that ADHD does not only impact the brain, but also the body, and that neurodivergence is potentially better understood as a neuro-immune-metabolic phenotype (Gow, 2026).

An ADHD diagnosis should consider the whole-body approach alongside  physical symptoms which may include migraines, sensory overload, disrupted sleep, overwhelming fatigue, immune system functioning such as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), autoimmune disease, gastrointestinal complaints including chronic constipation, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), joint hypermobility, POTS (Postural Tachycardia Syndrome) autonomic nervous system dysfunction (Kedem et al., 2020; Kustow, 2025; Nielsen et al., 2017; Raj et al., 2009; Song et al., 2020).  

Commonly observed physical symptoms in neurodivergent people include stomach pain, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, food aversions, joint pain, dizziness or intense sensitivity to temperature, chronic pain, and hormonal related conditions including Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Emerging research is also exploring links to conditions such as endometriosis and a ADHD diagnosis later in life (Kooij et al., 2025).

Healthcare and research has notoriously worked in isolated strands, resulting in difficulty forming a holistic picture. For example, attention may belong to neurology or psychiatry. Healthy eating to dieticians.  Pain belongs to rheumatology. Digestive symptoms belong to gastroenterology. Dizziness may be assigned to cardiology. Hormonal difficulties may be assigned to endocrinology or gynaecology. The whole-person model of care is often lacking within healthcare systems, due to the division of the body into distinct specialisms.

The person, meanwhile, is expected to move between services carrying repetitions and fragments of the same story. However, arguably these separations are artificial. The brain is part of the body, it is connected to the gut, immune system, circulation, endocrine system, connective tissue and other cellular structures. The mind and body are in continuous communication (Gwak & Chang, 2021).

Therefore, perhaps it is time to reframing neurodivergence and neurodivergent symptoms and adopt a more complete and connected model via a whole-person lens. This approach arguably is the future of neurodivergent support. We know that nutrition, exercise, lifestyle support and wellness practices including sound baths, breathwork, forest walks, being immersed in nature can all help soothe a busy brain and calm the nervous system. Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” is the Japanese practice of deliberate, and slow immersion in nature. It is prescribed from patients with stress, high blood pressure and is considered to be beneficial to the immune system. Many of us, can instantly feel a sense of calm when we take a deep breath in woodland, especially among pine, spruce and fir trees. This crisp, clean pine scent found in the forest air is called alpha-pinene and is an anti-inflammatory agent.

Research in this field is growing and a study in 2002, has documented the potential healing effects of Shinrin-yoku in metabolic health and a possible role in the prevention of the premature development of non-communicable diseases (Li, 2022). A new medical science called Forest Medicine has emerged to study the human health benefits of forest bathing and the role of phytonncides (which are a type of essential oil released by trees) which are known for their antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents (Li, 2010) . Humans inhale phytoncides during forest bathing walks, breathing in a range of organic chemicals called terpenes which can yield measurable physiological effects including stress reduction, immune system regulation, improved mood, cardiovascular benefits such as potentially lowering blood pressure and heart rate and reducing anxiety  (Li, 2010).

Holistic Prescriptions

Perhaps it is now time to write different type of prescription(s) for people with ADHD and autism.  The research has demonstrated that neurodevelopmental conditions often coexist with important physical symptoms and conditions. The supporting presentation can be better understood as a whole-body neuro-immune-metabolic model, bringing together brain and nervous-system function, immune signalling, gut health, autonomic regulation, connective tissue, mitochondrial energy, endocrine pathways, circulation and metabolic health.

The argument is not that one bodily system causes ADHD or autism, although genes play a role, the environment does too. Functional medicine practitioners understand that attention, mood, sensory processing, sleep, learning, behaviour and emotional regulation are influenced by the whole body.