51: ADHD & Genetics with Kashif Khan
04/06/23 • 49 min
How do genes affect ADHD and other similar disorders? Is there an ADHD gene? What can we do to optimize our genes so that we are living our best lives possible? Why does data privacy matter with genetic testing?
Tune in to this episode of the Soaring Child Podcast to learn the answers to each of these questions.
Our guest today is Kashif Kahn, a Chief Executive Officer and founder of The DNA Company where personalized medicine is being pioneered through unique insights into the human genome. He also is the host of the UNPILLED podcast. His measure of success is not in dollars earned, but in lives improved.
Listen to this episode to learn how ADHD and genetics interact with one another.
If you are interested in learning more about DNA testing and you want to reduce your child’s ADHD symptoms naturally, schedule a free call with our team using this link - https://bit.ly/3X5ZVvT
Key Takeaways:
5:42 - An explanation of genetic predispositions
8:58 - How the science of genetics has changed over the years
14:28 - Is there an ADHD gene?
18:40 - The 3% of people who actually have ADHD
25:49 - An explanation of the 3 buckets within epigenetics
29:18 - What people need to know about data privacy with genetic testing
34:46 - How to manage genetic expression
44:09 - How genes can cause toxins to affect one person in a home and not others in the home
Memorable Moments:
“A gene is an instruction that tells your cells what to do.”
“Even in ADHD, we don’t see one profile that points to it genetically. There are multiple, and none of them actually cause a clinical ADHD. They all cause behavior that gets diagnosed as ADHD but isn’t in fact that at all.”
“The majority of what we see in mood and behavior issues, including ADHD, people don’t innately have. They’re actually wired for some form of superpower and they’ve been put in the wrong context where they’re not using that superpower.”
“In the science of genetics, there are genes that they point to that are ADHD genes. The challenge is, that’s the 2 or 3% who innately have something...97% of our kids who are struggling were not born with the condition.”
“Our DNA is not ready for the way that we live...It’s no wonder everyone has ADHD and anxiety. We don’t have it. We have neural inflammation, we have the wrong context, we have overstimulation, we have overdepolyment of neurochemicals, which leads to all of these outward behaviors.”
“There are 3 buckets epigenetically: environment...nutrition...and lifestyle.”
“Pick the right lifestyle choice based on what your genes are saying.”
“The body is designed to handle toxins...It’s not designed to handle the current reality and the amount we have to handle.”
How to Connect with Kashif Khan
Website: https://www.thednacompany.com/pages/kashif-khan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thednaco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thednacompany
Dana Kay Resources:
Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
International Best Selling Book, Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass – https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
How do genes affect ADHD and other similar disorders? Is there an ADHD gene? What can we do to optimize our genes so that we are living our best lives possible? Why does data privacy matter with genetic testing?
Tune in to this episode of the Soaring Child Podcast to learn the answers to each of these questions.
Our guest today is Kashif Kahn, a Chief Executive Officer and founder of The DNA Company where personalized medicine is being pioneered through unique insights into the human genome. He also is the host of the UNPILLED podcast. His measure of success is not in dollars earned, but in lives improved.
Listen to this episode to learn how ADHD and genetics interact with one another.
If you are interested in learning more about DNA testing and you want to reduce your child’s ADHD symptoms naturally, schedule a free call with our team using this link - https://bit.ly/3X5ZVvT
Key Takeaways:
5:42 - An explanation of genetic predispositions
8:58 - How the science of genetics has changed over the years
14:28 - Is there an ADHD gene?
18:40 - The 3% of people who actually have ADHD
25:49 - An explanation of the 3 buckets within epigenetics
29:18 - What people need to know about data privacy with genetic testing
34:46 - How to manage genetic expression
44:09 - How genes can cause toxins to affect one person in a home and not others in the home
Memorable Moments:
“A gene is an instruction that tells your cells what to do.”
“Even in ADHD, we don’t see one profile that points to it genetically. There are multiple, and none of them actually cause a clinical ADHD. They all cause behavior that gets diagnosed as ADHD but isn’t in fact that at all.”
“The majority of what we see in mood and behavior issues, including ADHD, people don’t innately have. They’re actually wired for some form of superpower and they’ve been put in the wrong context where they’re not using that superpower.”
“In the science of genetics, there are genes that they point to that are ADHD genes. The challenge is, that’s the 2 or 3% who innately have something...97% of our kids who are struggling were not born with the condition.”
“Our DNA is not ready for the way that we live...It’s no wonder everyone has ADHD and anxiety. We don’t have it. We have neural inflammation, we have the wrong context, we have overstimulation, we have overdepolyment of neurochemicals, which leads to all of these outward behaviors.”
“There are 3 buckets epigenetically: environment...nutrition...and lifestyle.”
“Pick the right lifestyle choice based on what your genes are saying.”
“The body is designed to handle toxins...It’s not designed to handle the current reality and the amount we have to handle.”
How to Connect with Kashif Khan
Website: https://www.thednacompany.com/pages/kashif-khan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thednaco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thednacompany
Dana Kay Resources:
Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
International Best Selling Book, Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass – https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
Previous Episode
50: ADHD from a Psychiatric Perspective with Dr. Achina Stein
In this episode of the Soaring Child, we are looking at ADHD from a psychiatric perspective, covering topics such as how a child is diagnosed with ADHD, common underlying stressors, dietary changes compared to medication, risks of stimulants, and so much more!
Dr. Achina Stein is a physician, board certified psychiatrist, and has been in practice since 1994. She's also a certified practitioner of the Institute of Functional Medicine, a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and an energy healer. She's the co-owner of her own private practice called Functional Mind.
She is the bestselling author of the book, What If It's Not Depression: Your Guide to Finding Answers and Solutions and has been interviewed about her pioneering work as a functional medicine psychiatrist on many podcasts and summits.
Tune in to this episode to learn about ADHD from a psychiatrist’s perspective.
Key Takeaways
[3:29] - What led Dr. Achina Stein to her current work
[10:40] - What is the DSM, and how is it created?
[14:23] - How are children typically diagnosed with ADHD?
[19:55] - Common underlying stressors/root causes
[21:35] - The importance of healthy digestion, protein, and healthy fats for children with ADHD
[23:03] - Dietary changes compared to medication
[24:49] - The Burp Test
[28:49] - Risks and side effects of stimulant medications
[32:52] - Key aspects of treatment plans that are sometimes missed
Memorable Quotes
“My goal for my patients is never to have someone suffer on a long term basis.”
“A diagnosis is only needed if you need accommodations, especially for ADHD...or if you want to go on medicine.”
“What the DSM is...it’s the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Disorders where a group of people have come together...They are all deemed experts on some level...And then they decide how a diagnosis is made. And none of these diagnoses are made through any objective data.”
“There are certain disorders that are considered normal in some cultures that are considered abnormal in other cultures.”
“The problem with these tests and with the DSM is that it actually says zero - nothing - about cause.”
“Look at habits. I think many functional doctors miss that.”
“I see a bigger change in people with a dietary change than I do with medications.”
“I would say 60% of people don't tolerate medications as well, or respond to medications when medications are tried. I see a much more robust response to change in diet.”
“All mental health disorders basically have the same root causes.”
“Everyone is going to have a genetic predisposition to something but you can flip those genes, because it’s not the genes that matter so much...it’s more the expression of those genes. And you can turn off those bad genes and turn on those good genes through foods and through stress management.”
How to Connect with Dr. Achina Stein
Website: https://achinasteindo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AchinaSteinDO/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.achinastein/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpdl19d4mbcDV3Roho5mTEQ
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45Z8ogmIXSTATQQGt2oimK?si=5056808841c74933&nd=1
Dana Kay Resources:
Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
International Best Selling Book, Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass – https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
ADHD Parenting Course ...
Next Episode
52: How ADHD Impacts Siblings with Ashley Gobeil
ADHD impacts the entire family. In this episode of the Soaring Child, licensed child and family therapist Ashley Gobeil joins the show to discuss how ADHD impacts siblings in the family.
Ashley is no stranger to being a guest on this podcast and doesn't require a long introduction, but she has so much gold in every episode. She is a highly experienced therapist with over 15 years’ experience and extensive expertise with children who have been given the diagnosis of ADHD, ODD, and learning difficulties.
In this episode, discover strategies parents can use to diffuse sibling rivalry and to support both the child with ADHD and the other children in the home.
Here are the links mentioned in the show:
Episode 4 - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-4/
Episode 17 - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-17/
Episode 28 - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-28/
Love languages quiz - https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language
Key Takeaways:
[3:12] How ADHD impacts siblings
[5:23] What parents can do to support the child in the family who doesn't have ADHD
[8:09] Love languages
[9:31] Other ways parents can support siblings
[13:28] How parents can speak to siblings about the other child's ADHD
[16:30] How to manage ADHD behaviors in the moment
[19:18] How the conversation changes as children get older
[22:17] The importance of consistency in this approach
[24:24] How parents can promote a more positive relationship between siblings
Memorable Moments:
"Behaviors really do communicate their emotional experiences."
"We've really got to trust our parenting instincts. If it feels like I'm not giving my child enough attention, they might be feeling that way too."
"If we can get a bit of a picture or an understanding of, 'What's the siblings' experience of what's happening in the home? What's their feeling?' Then we can go, 'What's their underlying need?' And then we can respond and support them in that need."
"I often like to start with that verbal observation of what I am seeing between the siblings. And then you do the Name it to Tame It."
"We do want that sibling to feel heard, seen, soothed...But we also want them to be able to hold compassion and empathy for their sibling as well."
"Rather than...'How do we hit with the discipline or consequential action," going, 'what do I want to teach in this moment?'"
"There's the content of what they're saying, but what's actually underneath?"
"You are building a new picture of how your children experience you."
"A really important focus on how we create that sibling relationship is...that parent-child relationship...When that child who is struggling feels connected to, feels heard and understood by the parent, we're in a much better place to build the foundations of that positive sibling relationship."
How to Connect with Ashley Gobeil:
Website: https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
Dana Kay Resources:
Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
International Best Selling Book, Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass – https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program –
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