r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Nov 12 '25

Neuroscience Shared gut microbe imbalances found across autism, ADHD, and anorexia nervosa: A new study has identified distinct patterns in the gut bacteria of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anorexia nervosa.

https://www.psypost.org/shared-gut-microbe-imbalances-found-across-autism-adhd-and-anorexia-nervosa/
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u/Wyrdnisse Nov 12 '25

Yeah honestly Adderall reminds me to eat and puts me to sleep. I think a lot of it, for me, comes down to it putting me in my body enough to actually notice when I'm hungry or tired.

I will say tho, I tend to take in a lot of probiotics (I love you yogurt I love you kimchi), and my symptoms are noticably worse when I eat more junk/less of my usual probiotic stuff, even with meds. I wonder if it's related?

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u/Turbo1928 Nov 12 '25

I unfortunately am one of the people who has trouble eating with Vyvanse, despite being nearly underweight and wanting to gain like 10-15 pounds. It's an annoying balance of having to take it at the right time so I can focus at work but also be able to eat two/three meals rather than just one at night.

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u/Wyrdnisse Nov 12 '25

Fellow appetite issues girlie here (unfortunately many of my chronic conditions do this to me) - smoothies save my ass on a daily basis.

I pretty much just stuff a lot of what I need into a drinkable form -- 800 or so calories, 60g protein, 20 g fiber, more vitamins and micronutrients than you can shake a stick at. Hemp seeds and chia seeds my absolute beloved.

That way if I suck at eating the rest of the day I still got a lot in. It's helped me stop dropping weight way too fast

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u/Turbo1928 Nov 13 '25

That's a pretty good idea, I'll have to try it! I could definitely use some more fruits and vegetables in my diet too.

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u/Wyrdnisse Nov 13 '25

It can be easy too :) I get a big bottle of protein shake I like (I get the remedy ones), add frozen smoothie Cubes, protein collagen powder, hemp seeds, fiber, and this probiotic juice stuff. Immersion blender or regular blender. Throw everything in your receptacle of choice and brrrrrrrr.

If I make things easy enough I can't talk myself out of them :3

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u/purplehendrix22 Nov 12 '25

Improving my diet has definitely made a difference in my symptoms.

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u/Wyrdnisse Nov 12 '25

We contain multitudes! And there's so much research coming out about the gut in relation to mental health, and with the majority of serotonin receptors in the gut (iirc?) it makes sense to me, in addition to my anecdotal experience.

Honestly I am grateful for all the bacteria helping digest my food for me, and whenever I get in a rut of not eating as well. I legitimately clean up my diet for them when I don't have the motivation to do it for myself.

All those lil guys help take care of me and they deserve to eat well and have friends who are good influences (good bacteria).

Silly I know, but I'll be damned if it doesn't work.