Do you have ADHD and feel like you can't maintain a consistent body temperature?

🧠 Why Many Neurodivergent People Struggle to Regulate Body Temperature

Have you ever noticed that some neurodivergent individuals seem always hot or always cold—or that their comfort level changes more dramatically than others? There’s a real biological reason for this.

1️⃣ Autonomic Nervous-System Differences

The autonomic nervous system (which manages things we don’t consciously control—like heart rate, blood flow, and sweating) often functions differently in neurodivergent people. This can affect how efficiently the body releases heat when it’s warm or conserves it when it’s cold.

2️⃣ Interoception: Body Awareness from the Inside Out

Interoception is how our brain senses internal signals such as hunger, thirst, or temperature. Neurodivergent individuals may process these signals differently—some barely notice heat or cold until it’s extreme, while others feel every change intensely.

3️⃣ Sensory and Environmental Sensitivity

Textures, humidity, and air movement that go unnoticed by others can feel overstimulating or uncomfortable, triggering stress responses that further alter body temperature.

4️⃣ Neurochemical and Health Factors

Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine—neurotransmitters commonly atypical in ADHD and autism—also influence the hypothalamus, the brain’s temperature-control center. Comorbid conditions like dysautonomia (e.g., POTS), Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, or thyroid issues can make regulation even harder.

5️⃣ Supporting Better Regulation

Wear layers and breathable fabrics.

Stay hydrated and replenish electrolytes.

Use environmental supports—fans, cooling devices, heated blankets.

Work with clinicians to identify autonomic or thyroid contributors.

Try mindfulness or occupational-therapy techniques to improve interoceptive awareness.

Bottom line: Temperature dysregulation in neurodivergent people isn’t “in their head.” It reflects genuine differences in how the body’s automatic systems interpret and respond to internal and external stimuli—and with the right tools, comfort and stability are absolutely achievable.