HOW SUGAR AFFECTS THE BRAIN: A TEACHER'S REFLECTION THE FIRST DAY BACK AFTER HALLOWEEN

If you work with children, you have today circled on your calendar; the first day back at school after Halloween. Candy wrappers are still tucked in backpacks, focus levels are a little lower than usual, and the sugar rush has officially started to fade. This is the perfect time to talk about how sugar affects the brain and why education around nutrition is just as important as what happens in the gym or classroom.

At Specialty Athletic Training, we believe in supporting the whole person, both body and mind. Understanding how sugar impacts brain function helps our clients, families, and community make informed choices that build independence, confidence, and long-term well-being.

You can check out this short video that explains it clearly:​

WHAT SUGAR DOES IN THE BRAIN

Our brains love sugar. Glucose fuels brain cells and helps us think, focus, and stay alert. However, too much sugar, especially refined sugar, can have the opposite effect. When we eat large amounts of candy, soda, or processed snacks, our brains experience a sudden surge of dopamine, the chemical that makes us feel good.

That quick burst of pleasure is often followed by a crash that leaves us tired, moody, and unfocused. For kids returning to school after Halloween, that can mean trouble concentrating, emotional ups and downs, and lower motivation to learn. 

UNDERSTANDING THE NEURODIVERGENT BRAIN & DOPAMINE

For many of my students, the conversation around sugar goes even deeper. The neurodivergent brain often processes dopamine differently. Dopamine is the chemical messenger that helps us feel motivation, focus, and pleasure. It is the reason we feel rewarded when we accomplish something or enjoy an activity we love.

In neurotypical brains, dopamine levels rise and fall in balanced ways throughout the day. But for individuals with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent profiles, dopamine production and regulation can look very different. Their brains may produce less dopamine or may have fewer dopamine receptors, which means they need more stimulation to experience the same sense of reward or focus.

That helps explain why certain students seek more movement, excitement, or sensory input during the school day. It also explains why sugar can be especially tempting. When they eat something sweet, their brain gets a quick dopamine boost that feels good in the moment. Unfortunately, that boost is short-lived and followed by a crash that can leave them feeling drained, irritable, or unfocused.

As educators and trainers, understanding this helps us respond with empathy rather than frustration. It reminds us that behavior is communication. When a student struggles to focus after a sugar-filled morning, it is not a lack of effort or discipline. It is their brain chemistry asking for balance and support.

By teaching them how nutrition, movement, and sleep all play a role in dopamine regulation, we can help them build strategies that support their focus and well-being in sustainable ways.

WHY EDUCATION MATTERS

The goal is not to make sugar the villain. It is to understand it. When we teach children how food fuels their brains, they begin to recognize how what they eat affects how they feel and think. That awareness builds self-regulation and decision-making skills, which are essential for independence.

At Specialty Athletic Training, education is a cornerstone of what we do. Whether we are teaching a client how to build strength or helping them connect nutrition to focus and mood, we are helping them understand their body and brain. That knowledge empowers them to make choices that support success in every area of life, not just during a workout.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

Days like today are perfect teaching opportunities. Instead of focusing on restriction, we can focus on understanding. When we teach children that food affects their brain, we set them up to notice how different choices make them feel. For clients in the disability community, this education is especially powerful because it fosters independence, confidence, and lifelong self-advocacy.

If your home or classroom still has a pile of candy from last night, use it as a learning moment. Talk about how the brain uses sugar, how moderation matters, and how the choices we make today can help us feel our best tomorrow. Education, not elimination, is what drives lasting change.