Exorphin research ( ADHD/ADD )

Milk and cereals can affect the psyche in some people. Substances from cow’s milk, gluten and soy can lead to disorders in brain metabolism. Think hyperactivity, autism, depression and even bi-polar disorders and schizophrenia.
Peptides circulating in the bloodstream are found in the urine of children (and adults) with neuropsychiatric problems. This may be a result of incompletely digested protein in the gastrointestinal tract that then migrates through the mucosal wall of the gastrointestinal tract. A result of increased intestinal permeability, also known as a leaky gut. We all ingest small amounts of peptides and proteins from the gut.
It is believed that these peptides are absorbed from the gut into the blood and that some of these peptides can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Exorphins remain active if the DPP-IV enzyme that is supposed to break down exorphins does not work properly and/or if too many exorphins need to be processed. The factors involved are;
Increased consumption of wheat and dairy
Processing of wheat grains (wheat contains 5 to 10 times more gluten exorphins than 100 years ago).
Change from A2 casein milk to the A1 variant. This increased the amount of milk exorphins by more than 5,000 %
The activity of the DPP-IV enzyme is inhibited: cortisol (stress) and various chemicals act as a DPP-IV enzyme inhibitor such as drugs, flavor enhancers, organophosphates, phosphoric acid in soft drinks and vaccines containing thimerosal.
Exorphin junkies.

Benefits of exorphin research
- Facilitates elimination diet: not everyone needs to follow a completely exorphins-free diet
- Provides information on stress and endorphin system loadings
- Provides information on severity of expected opiate withdrawal
- Also examines exorphins from fungi. Fungal exorifins were found in about 5% of samples examined. Fungal exorphins are found in people with nuclear autism, CFS, fibromyalgia, confusion and delusions (e.g., hearing voices).
People with increased intestinal permeability are especially susceptible to this. Gluten morphine A5, for example, is associated with concentration disorders and hyperactivity. Exorphin testing provides information on whether you, or your child is sensitive to gluten and dairy, spinach and soy. Exorphins are opiate-like nutrients that if you are sensitive to them stress the stress and endorphin system. This can lead to many problems in our brain metabolism with a range of symptoms. You often see exorphin problems in people with ADHD, ADD, CFS, MCS bi-polar personality, autism fibromyalgia and immune disorders. Exorphin sensitivity can come from: Gluten, Dairy ( lactose free does not help) Soy, Spinach (* not everyone has reactions to all of these!) When an exorphin sensitivity inhibits the action of the body’s own neurotransmitter endorphins, it produces a blockage of dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine has a motivating effect on our mood, so people with exorphin intolerance should be careful not to use a “demotivating diet.
Exorphins are highly present in gluten and milk, but can also be produced by a number of pathogenic microorganisms. So it is not so much the lactose (milk sugar) that is a problem but the casein (milk protein). Thus, a lactose-free diet does not help exorphin intolerance. The use of wheat and dairy products have increased substantially in recent years. Gluten concentrations in wheat also increased . More soy products are also being eaten. All of these foods contain the so-called exorphins. Exorphins are opiate-like nutrients that inhibit the action of the body’s own endorphins. Endorphins are bodily substances that act as neurotransmitters. So disturbances in this can cause a lot of complaints: Think of:
- agitation, increased anxiety ( PTSD)
fatigue, falling asleep after eating bread/dairy products
agitation/aggressive behavior
the desire for comfort foods ( sugar and high GL foods, the combo of fat and carbohydrates ( potato chips, alcohol, soda energy drinks)
grinding thoughts, brooding, pressure in the head
tinnitus,
motivation and concentration problems( listless, easily bored, reduced enjoyment)
being dizzy.
heart rhythm disturbances an oppressive feeling in the chest (being stuffy), sleep disturbances,
anxiety disorders,
oblivious
difficulty relaxing after stress and work pressure,
tend to absorb stress with e.g. alcohol,
high sensitivity
mentally and physically increased sensitivity to pain
restless legs, tics,
cortisol dysregulation (adrenal exhaustion, burn out),
socialization stress in group, difficulty with stimulus processing ( sound smell, touch)
Therapy resistance (psychotherapy does not help)
serotonin disorder and depression.
Depression can be caused by a serotonin disorder in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and is often called the “mood transmitter. Antidepressants are often used to prolong the activity of serotonin. In depression, as in stress, carbohydrates can increase serotonin levels in the brain. Nutrition, unlike antidepressants, slightly increases total serotonin levels in the brain. So carbohydrates can positively affect your mood. However, in the context of exorphin intolerance, it makes sense to consider not only the amount of carbohydrates in the diet, but also the type of carbohydrates. A “healthy diet” of whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta or whole wheat pizza with a glass of milk then backfires. Whole whole gluten-free grains (brown rice, wild rice, millet, quinoa), vegetables and fruits are examples of carbohydrate sources that are better then.

Bread and pizza can act as poisons in a small portion of the population
Among other things, excessive histamine concentration is associated with a tendency to ritualistic actions, compulsive actions and repetitive behaviors. The beneficial psychological effects of “certain fasting cures” (cures that include, for example, a week of vegetables and vegetable juices) can therefore be explained in part by a reduction in exorphins from food. Further research into the relationship between a person’s diet and psychological problems is thus recommended. Exorphins thus alter the way the body handles serotonin, dopamine and endorphins.
Another example is β-Casomorphin-7 which stimulates the release of intestinal mucus (mucus) secretion in the intestine. Due to DPP-IV deficiency, the casein in milk (products) cannot be broken down and the intestinal mucosa is severely irritated, with complications such as inflammation and “Leaky Bowel Syndrome” (leaky gut).
Tips: Reduce to total exclusion of exorphins. Eat as much healthy food as possible, this means: unprocessed, preferably organic, eat lots of vegetables 2x a day and eat fruit. Choose healthy fats (e.g. olive oil, coconut fat) no margarines and fried foods. Drink plenty of water ; 1.5 liters for adults Exercise sufficiently without exhaustion Avoid unnecessary stress (e.g. parasitic friendships or relationships) and build in adequate rest points. Take good care of your sleep. Seek out nature! Define your boundaries and engage in healthy service, stop always being there for others while overstepping your own limits). Avoid excesses such as drugs, excessive or chronic alcohol use. Be careful with medications that increase energy, usually these are drugs that result in greater exhaustion over time.
Acceptance, if you cannot change something, fretting will not provide a solution. Accept what is and move on with your life. Invest in quality friendships and relationships. Some people specialize in drama, awkward emotions and all kinds of psychological games. Do not seek unnecessary tension. Tension is stress and you are already sensitive to that…. Rather listen to music instead of the daily media with all that drama. Avoid movies and gaming that cause tension.
Some basic types of urinary polypeptides have been discovered, including exogenous morphine-like compounds (exorphins) – opioid peptides derived from food. The main peptides are derived from gluten and milk (casein).
The peptides are isolated from urine and precisely identified. Using a number of techniques, bovine casomorphins and gluten morphins have been shown to be present in urine. Our method is based on a new HPLC-MsMs