Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Cognitive reserve, built through complex and novel mental activity, may delay the clinical onset of dementia by several years according to research by Yaakov Stern and the 2020 Lancet Commission on dementia prevention (1,2,7). Brain training stimulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) release, a…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Autistic burnout is a clinically recognised state of profound physical, cognitive, and emotional exhaustion that may develop after prolonged social masking and sensory overload. Described by Dora Raymaker and colleagues in Autism in Adulthood (2020), it is characterised by reduced functional capacity, heightened…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Neurodivergent masking is associated with increased allostatic load, the cumulative physiological burden of chronic stress first described by Bruce McEwen. Research published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders links sustained camouflaging to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and autistic burnout. Because…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition defined by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that impairs daily functioning. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5, diagnosis requires symptoms across multiple settings with clear functional impairment. While physical activity may support attention and behavioural regulation, it…
Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating compound derived from Cannabis sativa that interacts with the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Rather than directly activating CB1 or CB2 receptors, CBD may enhance endocannabinoid tone by inhibiting the FAAH enzyme, which breaks down anandamide. Research suggests CBD…
