http://www.jbhd.uk/, https://jbhd.uk/public-talks/

JBHD, Birmingham (2025)

27/11/2025

A MASSIVE new study has landed in , pulling together 221 meta-analyses on ADHD treatments across the lifespan, easily the most comprehensive picture we’ve ever had about what helps… and what just helps your wallet empty faster.

Here’s the short version (because ADHD):

Medications work in the short term, with moderate–high certainty.
Methylphenidate is the most consistent across raters.
Atomoxetine also holds up well. Amphetamines help but can be harder to tolerate.

Adults: methylphenidate and atomoxetine show medium effects, but side-effects show up more clearly.

Non-drug options: CBT for adults has moderate-certainty evidence. Everything else (mindfulness, parent training, physical activity, acupuncture) shows mixed results with low certainty. Interesting, but not quite “throw away your meds” territory.

Long-term evidence?
Basically none. For any intervention.
(Yes, really.)

The team also built a brilliant open-access platform where you can look up any treatment, age group, symptom, and evidence certainty in a genuinely user-friendly way. It’s exactly the kind of resource people with ADHD and clinicians have been asking for.

Study citation below.

Explore the platform: https://ebiadhd-database.org

Citation:
Gosling CJ, Garcia-Argibay M, De Prisco M, et al. Benefits and harms of ADHD interventions: umbrella review and platform for shared decision making. BMJ 2025;391:e085875.

21/11/2025

New paper out today!

I often forget I’m not just a pretend scientist, so I’m actually proud that our new study using UK Biobank data looking at women over 40 with PCOS has been published today.

PCOS is often framed as a “reproductive” condition, but the reality is far more complex. Our analysis shows clear differences in metabolic, hormonal and activity profiles — even when comparing women with PCOS to those matched for age and BMI. In short: it’s not “just weight.” There’s something deeper going on physiologically, and it deserves proper attention.

A few highlights: 
- Women with PCOS had less favourable markers like HDL, triglycerides, HbA1c and SHBG, even when BMI was matched.
 - They spent more time sedentary and did less vigorous-intensity activity — but total activity levels weren’t dramatically different. 
- PCOS was associated with higher rates of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity. 
- Across everyone, those who moved more and sat less had markedly better health profiles. (Shocking, I know.) 
- Oh, and women with PCOS were more likely to rate their own health as “poor,” which tells its own story.

What this really shows is that: PCOS is a serious metabolic condition. It’s underdiagnosed, under-researched, and often underplayed. And lifestyle differences alone don’t explain the poorer health outcomes — there’s a biological load here that needs better recognition and support.
Huge thanks to the team, especially Chris Kite as lead author, what an outstanding scientist (which is amazing considering he did his PhD with me)

If you’re into PCOS, women’s health, exercise science, or you just enjoy charts more than is socially acceptable, full citation (open access) below 📖

Kite C, Kyrou I, Randeva HS, Lahart IM, Brown JEP.
Metabolic, androgenic, and physical activity profiles in women aged over 40 years with polycystic o***y syndrome: A comparative analysis using UK Biobank data. Women’s Health. 2025;21:1–15. doi: 10.1177/17455057251385800

11/11/2025

New paper: “Potential impact of social media and COVID-19 restrictions on adult attention-deficit rates.”

The study found that ADHD referrals tripled between 2020–2023, alongside rises in Google searches and prescriptions. Nothing too surprising there — public awareness grew fast, especially through lockdown and platforms like TikTok.

But what’s worrying is the tone of the conclusions. The authors suggest that we now need a “consensus to determine who benefits most from an ADHD diagnosis and medication” and that “realistic medicine” should guide access — in other words, to ration care based on severity.

This framing risks implying that the problem is people seeking help, rather than decades of under-recognition, exclusion, and inadequate service planning. Increased demand doesn’t automatically mean over-diagnosis; it might mean people finally realising they weren’t lazy or broken.

Public awareness isn’t a threat — it’s a form of progress. The challenge isn’t deciding who “deserves” diagnosis or medication, but ensuring equitable, timely access for everyone who needs assessment and support.

- Awareness up ≠ pathology inflation

- “Realistic medicine” shouldn’t mean scarcity dressed as science

- Let’s build capacity, not gatekeeping

08/11/2025

Not being the most ‘Let’s visit an exhibition’ type person, I genuinely felt positive things (!) visiting The David Bowie Centre at with . It felt alive, like he’s still mid-idea somewhere.

Even his rejection letter feels iconic. Only Bowie could make “not what we’re looking for” sound like the biggest mistake ever.

07/11/2025

Take part in the ‘State of the Nation Survey’ 2025!

We want to hear what life with ADHD is really like across the UK — from diagnosis and treatment to work, relationships, and daily life.

Your answers help us fight for better understanding, fairer access to care, and real change.

It takes around 10 minutes.

Every voice matters — including yours.

👉 Click the link in bio to take part and share it with others in the ADHD community.

06/11/2025

The NHS ADHD Taskforce Report (Part 2) is out.

And it doesn’t pull any punches.

The Taskforce says what so many of us have been shouting for years:

- Inaction is not an option. ADHD has been historically neglected, underfunded, and under-recognised — at huge personal and economic cost (about £17 billion a year).

- Waiting lists are unacceptable — and must meet the same standards as physical health.

- ADHD support shouldn’t depend on a diagnosis — early, needs-led support in schools and communities is vital.

- GPs and front-line staff need ADHD training, fast.

- Services need joined-up systems, proper regulation, and real data — not endless silos and postcode lotteries.

The report calls for:

- Early help in schools and family hubs
- ADHD-trained professionals across the NHS
- Digitised, accessible ADHD care (inc. NHS App integration)
- Fair access for marginalised and criminal-justice-involved groups
- A national plan to stop losing people in the system

It’s progress — but only if someone actually acts on it.

03/11/2025

Upcoming Talks Alert!

Because I can’t say no to microphones…

First up: 
Southampton – The Science of AuDHD (Wed Nov 12, 18:30) How ADHD and Autism overlap, blur, and occasionally gang up on you.

Then I’m off to: 
Wi******er – The Science of ADHD (Thu Nov 13, 17:00) A deep dive into navigating neurodiversity in a world built for neurotypicals (and yes, there will be jokes about executive dysfunction).

And finally, I’ll be in Manchester at The Holistic ADHD Summit running two sessions: 
ADHD and Productivity – or how to get things done when your brain won’t play ball. ADHD and Burnout – because we’re great at doing everything… until we suddenly can’t.

Come for the science, stay for the dark humour and deliberate oversharing.

Tickets via link in bio or

24/10/2025

Proud to be a member of the on

[or, do I REALLY just want an excuse to wear my leopard print Cuban heels?]

13/10/2025

Calling all local ADHD support groups!

I’m helping put together a UK-wide directory of p*er support groups, so people can find help (and people who get it) wherever they live.

If you run or help organise a group — whether it’s a small coffee meet-up, a Facebook community, or a full-on support network — we’d love to include you.

Fill out our quick form on the link in bio.

Takes 2 minutes.

Helps countless people find connection.

Let’s make it easier for ADHDers to find their people ❤️

09/10/2025

October is ADHD Awareness Month.

But I’m personally celebrating ADHD Tax Awareness Month

Some people celebrate ADHD Awareness Month with educational posts.

I celebrate it by accidentally funding both local parking enforcement in Leicestershire, and Staffordshire Police. I am the gift that keeps on giving.

Awareness achieved. Acceptance pending.

If you’d like to learn how to needlessly s***k money up the wall when you’re already in a financial crisis, I’m definitely the person to talk to 😫🤦🏼‍♂️😬

09/10/2025

Got to Leicester an hour early for last night’s Science of AuDHD talk (because of course on time is late for me).

Forgot to pay for parking as I needed a p*e five minutes ago (hello poor interoception).

Walked 4 minutes to the nearest McDonald’s for a p*e. Took me 36 minutes to get back because, obviously, I got lost and Google Maps is a bastard.

Remembered to pay for parking before being shown I could park for free in a different car park.

Then had a genuinely [insert positive emotion I don’t feel] time talking about the science of ADHD + autism with such a gloriously kind, curious and clued-up crowd.

Drove 50 miles home feeling like that was a job well done.

Woke up this morning to find a parking ticket lovingly attached to my windscreen.

Balance restored.

Thanks to all who came along and took part, special thanks to for being my reciprocal ’I’M ABOUT TO LOSE MY S**T AND I NEED A HUG’ monster ❤️😬

JBHD

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