r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Feb 21 '25
Neuroscience The risk of developing ADHD was 3 times higher among children whose mothers used the pain-relief drug acetaminophen (paracetamol) during pregnancy. The association was stronger among daughters, with the daughters of acetaminophen-exposed mothers showing a 6.16 times higher likelihood of ADHD.
https://newsroom.uw.edu/news-releases/child-adhd-risk-linked-to-mothers-use-of-acetaminophen
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u/crusoe Feb 21 '25
As someone with ADHD, and researching a lot of this.
Our brains appear to process potassium balance and magnesium differently. Some ADHD, Autistic, and Anxious brains seem to have problems regulating potassium / magnesium or respond worse to lower levels.
75% of americans have at least mutation that reduces their kidney's ability to retain potassium.
Most americans are deficient in Magnesium and Potassium
Magnesium and potassium supplementation can help reduce the severity of Anxiety, and may improve the efficacy of pharmaceuticals in treating mental disorders. For example, when your neurons reabsorb neurotransmitters, they release Potassium to balance the charge ( mayn neurotransmitter are positively charged at body Ph ). Magnesium is critical for metabolism.
I suspect we're simply more sensitive to diets low in K and Mg, and low levels of both of those can increase the severity and occurence of chronic pain. I can tell you my aches and pains have gotten lower since supplementing.
Our diet is low in K and Mg
Most Americans have kidneys that are bad at retaining K
Low K and Mg are common causes of muscle pain
Our ADHD brains are more sensitive to low levels of K and Mg