What Happens When Neurospicy Meets Hormonal Chaos?

Ever walked down the stairs, forgotten why, then manically rage-cleaned the fridge? Welcome to the chaotic scene of perimenopause colliding with a neurodivergent brain. It’s all too common, so let’s figure out why and what can be done about it.

We welcome the expert knowledge of Deirdre Nazareth @thefunctionalosteopath to shed some light on brain fog, emotional overwhelm, and sensory overload in perimenopause. 

Whether you’re diagnosed or not, if you’re neurodivergent, it can feel like everything’s been dialled up to the max setting. Throw in some naughty, misbehaving hormones in the mix and you have yourself a party. 

But when unruly hormones start messing with how your neurons fire, it’s not just your sleep that suffers, focus, energy and the ability to cope can all go haywire. It’s a recipe for pure mayhem, and it all sounds a bit rubbish, doesn’t it? But there are some convenient answers to such issues, as we will get into shortly.

As Deirdre explained, fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone can intensify everything from emotional sensitivity to executive dysfunction, which affects planning, organising and decision-making. 

Ultimately, the relatively small things in life can suddenly feel like full-blown obstacles, and here’s why.

Now experts, including those in functional medicine have put forward some viable suggestions that could indicate why women in mid-life can be particularly sensitive when neurodivergence and perimenopause co-exist.

Some researchers are exploring the link between mast cell activation (which releases histamine) and conditions like autism and ADHD (5), especially in women and people assigned female at birth (6).

Some studies suggest histamine may also contribute to low-level inflammation in the brain (7).

It's still early days, but these findings may explain why some people only really feel the full weight of neurodivergence later on in life.

Why the volume’s been creeping up

So going back to that tantrum you had in Tesco, it’s not a random event. There are mechanisms to explain why things start to feel more intense:

1. Neurodivergent brains are more sensitive: especially to sensory input (11)(light, sound, emotions), it’s a well-established part of conditions like autism and ADHD.
2. Histamine increases this sensitivity: particularly during hormonal fluctuations, like those seen in midlife, when histamine spikes (12) due to changes in oestrogen and progesterone.

This isn't just psychological: it’s a physiological reaction from the nervous system. So when someone is strongly reactive to noise, bright lights, or emotional cues, they are not just being a drama queen for attention.

Theories like this on histamine also explain why many women don’t get diagnosed with neurodivergence until they hit the hormonal chaos of perimenopause, or why they’ve been able to mask it so well, for so long.

But when hormones start to wobble, that grip starts to loosen. Things that were manageable before start to feel impossible. The noise, the overwhelm, and mood swings that come out of nowhere.

And that’s when things start to click, when women look back and realise it wasn’t just stress or being “a bit sensitive.” It’s neurodivergence, only now there’s no bandwidth left to disguise it.

When everything feels like too much, going back to basics can help put the fire out:

• Balance your blood sugar
  Mood swings and energy crashes (13) love a blood sugar dip. Start your day with protein, skip the beige carbs, and keep snacks balanced. Your brain will thank you for the consistency.
• Support your gut health
  The gut-brain connection (14) is real, especially in those who are thought to be neurodivergent. A happier gut means better neurotransmitter production (15). Basically, a balanced gut supports brain function (16) by regulating inflammation and histamine levels. So think fibre, prebiotics and plenty of plant variety (17) in your diet. 
• Establish gentle routines
  A bit of structure helps more than we realise. Predictable rhythms (18 )around food, sleep and movement can give your nervous system something steady to rely on when everything else feels like utter madness.
• Prioritise rest and recovery
  If you’re running on empty, no supplement or green juice is going to fix it. Schedule downtime like you would a night out. It might not sound too fun, but it is just as important to protect your energy with proper rest, as it is your work and social life (especially in peri).

When your brain feels like it’s trying to run a marathon in flip-flops, these are the nutrients backed by Functional Medicine Practitioner, Deirdre, that can help. Psst... these goodies are all included in a bottle of Daily Essential Vitamin & Mineral Shots from Valerie:

• B vitamins (especially B6 and B12)
  These power your neurotransmitters (think dopamine and serotonin) and help with energy when you’re already tired before you’ve had your breakfast.
• Ashwagandha
  A powerful plant extract with some serious chill. Helps lower cortisol, calm the noise and take the edge off that background buzz of anxiety.
• Magnesium
  Keeps your nervous system in check. Supports better sleep, eases overwhelm and helps with that wired-but-knackered feeling.
• Vitamin D3
  Crucial for mood, focus and immune health. If you live in the UK and don’t regularly camp out near a rooftop pool in Dubai, chances are you’re not getting enough.
• Zinc
  Helps regulate emotions and supports sharper thinking. Backed by research, especially for ADHD and autistic minds.
• Iron
  Being low can tank your focus, your energy and your motivation. If you’ve got crazy irregular or heavy menstrual bleeds, or you’re always one blink away from falling asleep on the tube, it’s worth checking out.

When perimenopause and neurodivergence gang up, it can feel like your brain is running twenty tabs at once and not one of them you actually need. It honestly is exhausting.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Valerie Daily Essential contains ingredients such as: zinc, magnesium, iron, vitamin D and vitamin B6, all of which provide relief from the symptoms of both perimenopause and ADHD.