Dr. Alison DeMiero Functional Health Educator

01/12/2026

Let's talk about anxiety in perimenopause.

Many women report increased anxiety, worry, or a general sense of unease that wasn't there before.

Research shows this has a biological basis:

Studies suggest that progesterone affects GABA (your brain's calming neurotransmitter). When progesterone declines in perimenopause, GABA signaling may be reduced.

Lower GABA activity could contribute to:
- Increased anxiety
- Racing thoughts
- Difficulty relaxing
- Worry that feels "out of proportion"

This isn't "all in your head." It's neurochemistry.

Understanding the mechanism can help you explore evidence-based approaches with your healthcare provider.

Have you experienced increased anxiety in perimenopause? 👇

⚠️ Educational content only. Not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

01/09/2026

🌸 Exciting News! I just launched a FREE educational community for women navigating perimenopause.

If you're experiencing:
- Brain fog that's affecting your daily life
- Sleep issues (especially 3 AM wake-ups)
- Unexplained weight gain
- Chronic fatigue
- Mood swings or anxiety

You need to understand what's actually happening in your body.

The 10 Metabolic Shifts

Research shows there are 10 specific metabolic changes that occur after 40 during perimenopause. These shifts affect your:
🧠 Brain function (memory, focus, clarity)
😴 Sleep quality and architecture
⚡ Energy levels
⚖️ Metabolism and weight
😊 Mood and emotional regulation

When you understand these root causes, you can have much more informed conversations with your healthcare provider about approaches that might help.

Join my new educational community:
👉 skool.com/perimenopause

Inside you'll find:
✅ Research-based educational content
✅ The science behind each metabolic shift
✅ Evidence-based information
✅ A supportive community of women going through the same thing
✅ No ads, no spam—just education

Led by Dr. Alison DeMiero (DNP, PMHNP-BC, Functional Medicine Fellowship)

⚠️ Important Disclaimer:
This community provides educational content only. This is not medical advice. I am not acting as your healthcare provider. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions.

Join us! 💙

Research-based solutions for brain fog, insomnia, weight gain & fatigue. Led by Dr. Alison DeMiero (DNP, PMHNP-BC, Functional Medicine).

01/06/2026

Can we talk about brain fog for a second?

Because I'm seeing the same story over and over from high-achieving women in their 40s-50s:

"I used to be so sharp. Now I can't remember what I walked into a room for."

"I forget my client's name mid-meeting."

"I read the same paragraph five times and retain nothing."

And when they go to their doctor, they're told: "You're just stressed. Try meditation."

But here's what's actually happening:

If you have ADHD (diagnosed or not) and you're in perimenopause, you're experiencing a dopamine crisis.

Estrogen regulates dopamine receptor density in your brain. When estrogen drops during perimenopause, your dopamine receptors drop with it.

Your ADHD brain already has lower baseline dopamine. Now it's even lower.

This isn't "normal aging." This isn't "just stress."

This is a neurometabolic shift that affects your cognitive function, your memory, your ability to focus, and your executive function.

And here's the thing: once you understand the MECHANISM, you can address it.

Over the next 30 days, I'm sharing the science behind ADHD + perimenopause brain fog and the specific interventions that actually work.

If this resonates, drop a 🧠 in the comments so I know you're here.

And if you know someone who needs to hear this, please share.

You're not losing your mind. Your brain chemistry changed. And it's fixable.

- Dr. Alison DeMiero, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Specializing in Functional and Integrative Psychiatry

⚠️ **IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:**
I am not a medical doctor. I'm a Board-Certified PMHNP with a doctorate in nursing practice and additional training in functional psychiatry, sharing educational information only. Nothing in this post constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I'm not acting as your healthcare provider. Always consult your own physician before making any health-related changes.

01/05/2026

How many of you eat "so good" all day and then completely lose control at night?

🙋‍♀️ Me. For YEARS.

Until I understood what was actually happening neurochemically.

Here's the thing about ADHD brains: we use about 25% more glucose than neurotypical brains. We're burning through dopamine all day just to function.

Add perimenopause (which drops estrogen and takes dopamine receptors with it), and by 8 PM, we're running on fumes.

Our brains are smart. They know food = instant dopamine.

So that "lack of willpower" you're beating yourself up about? It's actually your brain doing exactly what it's designed to do: survive.

The solution isn't more discipline. It's addressing the dopamine depletion and blood sugar dysregulation that's driving the behavior.

I'll be sharing the complete protocol in my free upcoming Skool community.

01/05/2026

Can we talk about night eating for a second?

Because I'm hearing the same story over and over from women with ADHD in perimenopause:

"I eat so well all day. Protein breakfast, balanced lunch, healthy snacks. I meal prep. I plan. I'm GOOD at this.

And then 8 PM hits and it's like a switch flips. I'm standing in front of the fridge eating cold leftovers. Then chips. Then ice cream. Then I feel terrible and promise myself tomorrow will be different.

But tomorrow is the same."

Here's what I want you to know: This isn't a willpower problem.

Research shows that ADHD brains use 25% more glucose than neurotypical brains. By evening, your dopamine is depleted. And when estrogen drops during perimenopause, it takes your dopamine receptors with it.

Your brain is doing exactly what it's supposed to do: seeking the fastest dopamine source available. Which is food.

You're not broken. Your brain is just running on a different operating system.

If this resonates, I'm so excited to be opening up a new (free) community in Skool that will not only be a place for support but where I will also share science-backed solutions!

I'm still getting the community ready, but I'd love to hear from you if you want to be one of the first members to join! Feel free to comment below or send me a private message.

01/04/2026

January shouldn’t be a punishment for surviving the holidays.

If you’re feeling inflamed, anxious, and exhausted right now, "more willpower" isn't the solution. For most midlife women, the "holiday puffiness" and burnout are signs of a maxed-out nervous system, not a lack of discipline.

When your cortisol is high and your detox pathways are sluggish, your body stays stuck in survival mode. At that point, restriction doesn't work—regulation does.

The Goal: A total system reset, not another restrictive diet.

12/27/2025

In clinical practice, I see a specific pattern emerging in high-performing women aged 45–55.

They have the discipline. They have the "get it done" mindset. But suddenly, their bodies stop responding to the math of "calories in vs. calories out."

This is Neurometabolic Dysregulation. When you layer the hormonal shifts of perimenopause on top of an ADHD brain, the result is a system-wide communication breakdown. Conventional medicine often separates these into "psychiatry" or "endocrinology," but your body sees them as one integrated system.

If you can’t out-discipline your fatigue or out-work your brain fog, it's time for a different framework.

Drop a “ME” in the comments if you’re ready for the clinical answers to why your body feels like it’s working against you.

12/23/2025

If you’re currently telling yourself you’ll just "fix everything in January," I want to offer a different perspective. You probably don’t need another restrictive diet. What you actually need is regulation.

In my experience, the holiday weight gain, the inflammation, and that "tired but wired" feeling aren't just about the food. It’s because your nervous system is completely maxed out.

When you’re stuck in survival mode, your cortisol spikes and your hormones shift, making weight gain a biological response—not a lack of willpower.

January shouldn't be a month of punishment for surviving December. It should be about resetting a system that’s been under too much pressure for too long.

That’s exactly why I built the 6-Week Neurometabolic Reset. We’re skipping the "starvation" tactics and focusing on what actually works for midlife women: nervous system regulation, detox pathways, and real hormone balance.

We start January 26. This isn't a diet—it’s a way to finally get your body out of survival mode.

12/22/2025

If you’re already planning to "just wait until January" to get your health back on track, let’s be honest for a second: you probably don’t need more restriction. You need regulation.

Most midlife women feel inflamed, exhausted, and "puffy" during the holidays, but it’s rarely just about the food. It’s because your nervous system is completely maxed out.

When you’re stuck in survival mode, your cortisol spikes, your hormones shift, and your body’s natural detox process slows to a crawl. At that point, weight gain has nothing to do with willpower—it’s pure biology.

January shouldn't be a month of punishment for surviving December. It should be about resetting a system that’s been under too much pressure.

That’s why I created the 6-Week Neurometabolic Reset. We’re skipping the "diet" mentality and focusing on nervous system regulation, detox support, and real hormone balance.

We start January 26.

This isn't a diet—it’s a way to finally get your system out of survival mode.

12/22/2025

If your anxiety got worse after 40, it’s not in your head—it’s in your hormones.