This week, I’m the one answering the questions in a deeply personal conversation about my health journey. I speak openly about some of the hardest parts of that journey, the treatments I’ve tried, the beliefs I’ve reconsidered, and what a lifetime devoted to health has taught me about what matters most. Here’s some of what I share: How becoming the patient changed the way I practice medicine How nearly dying changed what longevity means to me and what I believe a healthy life is actually for Which wellness and longevity therapies I personally use, and how I decide what’s worth trying Why the pursuit of optimal health can sometimes become unhealthy What I’m still trying to understand about myself at this stage of my life I’ve spent much of my life trying to understand how we can live longer and feel better. But nearly losing my own life reminded me that health isn’t the destination. It’s what allows us to be present for the people we love, remain curious, and experience our lives more fully. I hope this conversation encourages you to ask yourself what you want your health to make possible. Continue exploring: Watch my conversation with Dr. Tyna Moore here. Learn more about my Brainshaping Academy here. View Show Notes From This Episode Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hymanhttps://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journalhttps://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Healthhttps://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Resultshttps://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Paleovalley, BIOptimizers, Timeline, Rho, Sunlighten, and Pique. Shop nutrient-rich foods and supplements at paleovalley.com/hyman and save 15% off your first order. Shop Magnesium Breakthrough at bioptimizers.com/hyman and save 15% with code HYMAN. Support healthy aging and get up to 20% off when you subscribe on top of the new starting price of $79 at timeline.com/drhyman. Explore science-backed products at rhonutrition.com and use code HYMAN for 20% off the entire site. Discover why so many people are using sunlighten.com. Use the code HYMAN to save up to $2,100 today and free shipping. Elevate your daily wellness ritual at piquelife.com/hyman and enjoy 20% off plus free gifts. (0:00) Dr. Hyman's health decline, initial back surgery, and introduction to Q&A session (1:51) Dr. Hyman's early career, first herniated disc, and subsequent back surgeries (10:55) Mercury poisoning and its impact on health (17:06) Discovery of functional medicine and Jeffrey Bland's influence (20:27) Impact of personal health journey on Dr. Hyman's career and recovery from major surgery (24:04) Reflections on mortality, peace during surgery, and the role of spirituality and psychedelics (26:21) Changes in perspective on longevity, health, and specific recovery strategies (30:06) Navigating physiological depression and relationship with body as we age (33:48) Rapid-fire health tools: cold plunges, sauna, and more (43:32) IV therapy, red light therapy, and stem cell therapy for recovery (47:26) Exosomes and critique of wellness industry trends (50:31) Risks of over-testing, over-supplementation, and underrated treatments in functional medicine (58:13) Dr. Hyman's personal life, hobbies, and balancing passion with well-being (1:04:51) The Ultramind Solution, mental health, and root cause analysis in MS (1:07:06) Focus on strength training, functional health, and shifts in health understanding (1:09:23) Surprising changes in beliefs and impact of becoming a grandfather (1:11:42) Career reflections, ongoing curiosity, and closing remarks (1:14:38) Disclaimer and gratitude to sponsors

With the Labour Day long weekend here, we’re bringing back one of our most popular Office Hours episodes on what really happens to your body when you take a break from alcohol. Whether you’re drinking less this weekend or simply curious about how quickly your body can recover, this conversation is worth revisiting. Today I discuss: What alcohol really is—and why the “buzz” is actually your brain slowing down How alcohol affects neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and glutamate Why even moderate drinking disrupts sleep, mood, hormones, and metabolism How alcohol impacts the liver, gut microbiome, immune system, and cancer risk Why hangovers feel like the flu—and what’s actually happening in your body What happens when you stop drinking, week by week, from detox to deep repair The surprising benefits to energy, focus, skin, sleep, and emotional resilience Practical tools to manage cravings, social pressure, and sleep disruption Why community support makes behavior change easier and more sustainable Your body has an incredible ability to heal and often, it just needs you to take your foot off the gas. Try it for 30 days. You may be amazed by how different you feel. If you want extra support, join us for the Hive January Challenge, where we’ll guide you through the process, track progress, and share experiences together. Visit ⁠functionhealth.com⁠ for 160+ lab tests at just $365 a year. Helpful Resources: Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health ⁠https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox⁠ Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results⁠ ⁠⁠https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive⁠ Have a question you’d love answered on the podcast? ****Submit it here 👉 ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNF2y4lFWEOMLlzVNlFDpJ4xl7oOpH9NlImMoHr5mHggL_Ww/viewform?usp=header

We hear a lot about improving gut health through food, probiotics, and supplements. But after more than a decade of major advances in microbiome research, the picture has become both more promising and more complex. In this episode, I’m joined by gastroenterologist and neuroscientist Dr. Emeran Mayer, co-author of the new book The Mayer Model, to explore how our understanding of the gut-brain connection has evolved—and what we may still be getting wrong. We also look at what this growing field could mean for chronic disease and healthy aging. Here’s what you’ll learn: How your gut microbiome communicates with your brain, immune system, hormones, and metabolism Why diet alone may not be enough to improve gut health—and how sleep, stress, exercise, relationships, and purpose also shape your microbiome How modern diets and lifestyles have created a mismatch between our microbes and human biology Why probiotics and microbiome testing may not provide the personalized answers many people expect How fiber, polyphenols, fermented foods, and greater plant diversity help support a healthier, more resilient microbiome The food we eat matters, but so do the ways we move, sleep, manage stress, and connect with others. Supporting gut health isn’t about finding one magic solution. It’s about creating a healthier, more resilient system over time. Beginning September 1, Dr. Mayer’s team is offering my audience a collection of bonuses to accompany The Mayer Model. To learn more about the book and access the bonuses, click here. View Show Notes From This Episode Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Seed, Seatopia, Made In, PerfectAmino, BON CHARGE, and BIOptimizers. Make your microbiome part of your daily routine with seed.com/hyman and save 25% with code 25HYMAN. Find a cleaner source of seafood. Check out seatopia.fish and use code HYMAN for free shipping on your first order. Explore kitchen essentials at madeincookware.com and save 10% off your first order with code HYMAN-HIVE. Explore red light products at boncharge.com/hyman and enjoy 15% off with code HYMAN. Help fill protein gaps at bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 for 20% off. Shop Magnesium Breakthrough at bioptimizers.com/hyman and save 15% with code HYMAN.

ADHD is usually treated as a problem in the brain. But what if some of the factors making it harder to focus, regulate your mood, or manage your symptoms are actually coming from somewhere else in your body? In this episode, I’m joined by one of my producers, Emma, to explore ADHD through a functional medicine lens. We look beyond the diagnosis to ask what may be happening “under the hood”—from the gut and microbiome to inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar, hormones, and the foods we eat. Because the brain doesn’t operate in isolation. What happens throughout the body can directly influence how it functions. Here’s what we discuss in today’s episode: The surprising connection between your gut and your ability to focus—even if you have no digestive symptoms What I look for beyond the brain when someone comes to me with ADHD The everyday foods and nutrient deficiencies that may be quietly making ADHD symptoms worse Why two people with the same ADHD diagnosis may have completely different underlying drivers What caffeine, skipping breakfast, food dyes, sugar cravings, and menopause may mean for ADHD symptoms Where I would start if an adult came to me newly diagnosed with ADHD ADHD may begin with symptoms in the brain, but that doesn’t mean the brain is the only place we should look. By understanding the connections between diet, gut health, inflammation, nutrients, hormones, and brain function, we can start asking a more useful question: What is making it harder for each person’s brain to function at its best? Resources Mentioned: Learn more about becoming a patient at The UltraWellness Center: https://www.ultrawellnesscenter.com/becoming-a-patient/ Track key biomarkers with Function Health: https://functionhealth.com/mark (Use code MARK2026 for $50 off your membership.) Listen to our Office Hours episode on healing the gut and supporting the microbiome: https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/podcast-ep1152?srsltid=AfmBOop7-GuV4Oipdgt13uP6AFt0kFslCZwUfT_ssgtaBXK825KSHZif Listen to our full conversation with Jenna Free on ADHD regulation: https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/podcast-ep1172?srsltid=AfmBOooMv1oafxyIB8x7w1x8nETJCdN3Co5oRpR8RV_WHfhZYvwzZ3uH Have a question you’d love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here 0:00 Understanding ADHD through a functional medicine lens 3:00 Sponsor: Function 3:07 The gut-brain axis and ADHD 7:09 Case study: Severe behavioral issues and functional medicine approach 10:55 Nutritional deficiencies and the microbiome in ADHD 13:07 Microbiome’s impact on attention and focus 15:57 Neurotransmitters, gut health, and intestinal permeability 21:23 Modern diet, nutrient deficiencies, and ADHD symptoms 26:34 Common nutrient deficiencies and their impact 31:00 Functional medicine strategies and personalized treatment plans 37:32 Rapid fire Q&A on ADHD and diet 43:26 Key takeaways: Diet, brain health, and functional medicine outcomes 44:48 Next steps: Working with practitioners and not suffering needlessly

ADHD can go unnoticed for decades, especially in women who learn to compensate through perfectionism, overpreparing, and working under pressure. It often isn’t until the demands of work, motherhood, or another major life transition become too much that the underlying struggle comes into view. In this episode, I sit down with ADHD counselor Jenna Free, author of The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation, to explore what she calls the frantic-crash cycle. She explains how chronic fight-or-flight may intensify ADHD symptoms and why nervous system regulation can make other tools and strategies easier to use. You’ll learn: Why women and high achievers can compensate for ADHD for decades before their usual coping strategies stop working How perfectionism, procrastination, and working under pressure can keep the frantic-crash cycle going The physical signs of nervous system dysregulation, including shallow breathing, muscle tension, and rushing even when there’s no real urgency Why calming your body is only the first step in creating lasting change How you can move away from all-or-nothing behavior and build a more sustainable way of getting things done A diagnosis can help you understand how your brain works, but it doesn’t have to define what’s possible. By learning to recognize and regulate survival mode, you can create the conditions for your brain to work at its best. View Show Notes From This Episode Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Resultshttps://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Bioptimizers, Fatty15, Timeline, Rho, Seed, and Sulighten. Shop Magnesium Breakthrough at bioptimizers.com/hyman and save 15% with code HYMAN. Head to fatty15.com/HYMAN today and use code HYMAN for 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit. Support healthy aging and get up to 20% off when you subscribe on top of the new starting price of $79 at timeline.com/drhyman. Explore science-backed products at rhonutrition.com and use code HYMAN for 20% off the entire site. Make your microbiome part of your daily routine with seed.com/hyman and save 25% with code 25HYMAN. Discover why so many people are using sunlighten.com, use code HYMAN to save up to $2,100 today and free shipping. 0:00 Understanding the impact of fight or flight and overview of ADHD discussion 2:01 Functional medicine approach to neurodevelopmental issues 4:38 Rising ADHD diagnoses in adults and coping strategies 9:25 Life transitions and the unmasking of ADHD 13:22 Revisiting fight or flight’s role in ADHD and urgency as a motivator 19:24 Differentiating ADHD from chronic dysregulation 24:03 Nervous system regulation for everyone and ADHD regulation stages 25:46 Physical, thought, and behavioral regulation techniques 41:53 Motherhood, stress, and overlooked signs of ADHD in women 44:28 Gaps in traditional ADHD training and new perspectives for clinicians 48:09 Recognizing dysregulation in daily life and common signs 51:29 Supporting partners and mothers with ADHD 53:16 Positive aspects and living well with ADHD 54:51 Jenna Free’s book, resources, and podcast conclusion

Chronic inflammation may be one of the biggest forces accelerating how we age—and the surprising part is that many of the things keeping it switched on are happening every day. Poor sleep, chronic stress, blood sugar spikes, visceral fat, and ultra-processed food can keep your immune system acting like it’s under constant threat, potentially contributing to everything from metabolic dysfunction and heart disease to arthritis and cognitive decline. Here’s what I unpack in today’s episode: The hidden “inflammation switch” scientists are studying and why it may help explain how chronic inflammation drives aging and disease The everyday habits that can keep your immune system stuck in a constant state of alarm The surprising connection between mitochondrial health, visceral fat, blood sugar, and inflammation The most effective ways to help calm chronic inflammation and the simple daily shifts that may have the biggest impact Inflammation isn’t the enemy—it’s one of your body’s most important survival tools. The problem is when the alarm never switches off. By changing the signals you send your immune system every day, you can help restore balance and support healthier aging from the inside out. Resources: Track your metabolic health with Function Health: https://functionhealth.com/mark (Use code MARK2026 for $50 off your membership.) Have a question you’d love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here 0:00 Inflammation, aging, and healing 3:15 Chronic inflammation triggers and their impact 5:15 Sleep, stress, and immune system health 8:17 Ultra processed foods, mitochondria, and inflammation 10:27 Visceral fat, immune activation, and practical steps for healthy aging

By the time memory begins to slip, the changes affecting the brain may have been developing for decades. But the trajectory isn’t fixed, and many of the factors driving it are within our control. In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and mentor Dr. David Perlmutter, six-time New York Times bestselling author whose new book, Brain Defenders, rethinks what it really takes to protect the brain as we age. You’ll learn: Why protecting your brain should begin long before memory problems appear How your daily choices influence whether the brain’s immune cells shift into a protective or damaging state Which numbers to know now, including fasting insulin, blood sugar, and waist-to-hip ratio How food, exercise, sleep, gut health, and environmental toxins shape your brain’s future What emerging research reveals about slowing—and even improving—cognitive decline I’ve always appreciated how David’s work replaces fear with something far more useful: a clearer understanding of how the choices we make today can help protect our memory, independence, and quality of life for years to come. View Show Notes From This Episode Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Paleovalley, Pique, Perfect Amino, BON CHARGE, Cozy Earth, and Fatty15. Shop nutrient-rich foods and supplements at paleovalley.com/hyman and save 15% off your first order. Elevate your daily wellness ritual at piquelife.com/hyman and enjoy 20% off plus free gifts. Help fill protein gaps at bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 for 20% off. Explore red light products at boncharge.com/hyman and enjoy 15% off with code HYMAN. Upgrade your sleep setup with cozyearth.com and enjoy 20% off  with code HYMAN. Head to fatty15.com/HYMAN today and use code HYMAN for 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit.

Healthy skin isn't built in your bathroom—it’s built inside your body. While most people focus on creams, collagen powders, and cosmetic treatments, the biggest drivers of wrinkles, sagging, and loss of elasticity are happening at the cellular level. In today's episode, I discuss: Why blood sugar may be aging your skin faster than the sun and the hidden process that damages collagen from the inside out The surprising connection between muscle, metabolism, and firmer, healthier-looking skin (especially after weight loss) How your body's natural cellular repair system helps slow the aging process and the habits that activate it The biggest everyday factors accelerating skin aging, and the science-backed strategies that help protect your skin for years to come Healthy skin isn't something you can simply apply—it's something your body creates. By improving your metabolic health, protecting collagen, building muscle, reducing inflammation, and supporting your cells, you can help your skin stay stronger, healthier, and more resilient from the inside out. Resources Mentioned: Environmental Working Group (EWG): https://www.ewg.org/areas-focus/personal-care-products Track your health with Function Health: https://functionhealth.com/mark (Use code MARK2026 for $50 off your membership.) Have a question you’d love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here (0:00) Understanding Skin Aging and Its Causes (1:24) Sponsor: Function Health (2:04) Chronic Inflammation, Blood Sugar, and Glycation in Skin Aging (6:01) Autophagy and Lifestyle Habits for Skin Health (9:31) The Role of Muscle and Managing Loose Skin (12:11) Sun Exposure, Protection, and Skin Aging (14:35) Rapid Fire: Common Skin Health Questions

GLP-1 medications have changed how we treat obesity and metabolic disease. But as their use has exploded, so have questions about side effects, muscle loss, long-term use, and whether patients are receiving the support they need to use them safely. In this episode, I reconnect with metabolic health and regenerative medicine expert Dr. Tyna Moore to revisit our conversation from two years ago and examine what we’ve learned since. We discuss: How to tell when your GLP-1 dose may be too high What you can do to protect your muscle and bone during weight loss Which metabolic and nutritional markers should you check before and during treatment Why weight can sometimes return after stopping a GLP-1 What emerging research suggests about GLP-1s beyond weight loss GLP-1s can be life-changing, but a lower number on the scale isn’t the same as better health. Ultimately, how these medications are used—from dosing and monitoring to nutrition and strength training—matters just as much as whether they’re used at all. Additional resources: Join Dr. Tyna Moore’s community Listen to Dr. Tyna Moore’s previous appearance on The Dr. Hyman Show View Show Notes From This Episode Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hymanhttps://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journalhttps://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Healthhttps://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Resultshttps://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Seatopia, Perfect Amino, Cozy Earth, Timeline, Sunlighten, and Made In. Find a cleaner source of seafood. Check out seatopia.fish and use code HYMAN for free shipping on your first order. Get daily protein support at bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 for 20% off. Head over to cozyearth.com to save 20% and upgrade all of your daily essentials today. Support healthy aging and get 20% at timeline.com/drhyman with code HYMAN. Discover why so many people are using sunlighten.com and use code HYMAN to save up to $2,100 today with free shipping. Upgrade your cookware at madeincookware.com and save 10% off your first order with code HYMAN-HIVE. (0:00) Introduction, Dr. Hyman's evolving views, and episode goals (0:43) Sponsor: Rose Nutrition Liposomal NAD (1:42) Sponsor: Seatopia clean seafood box (2:44) Disclaimers and Lyme disease preview (4:04) Guest Dr. Tina Moore reintroduced (4:30) GLP-1s: Effects after years and microdosing strategies (7:14) Risks of high-dose GLP-1s and misconceptions about muscle/bone loss (13:09) Functional deficiencies and microdosing approaches (17:05) Sponsor: Made In stainless clad cookware (18:02) Sponsor: Timeline with Mitopure (18:58) Broader and additional benefits of metabolic health and GLP-1s (21:48) GLP-1s for immune and brain health; genetic differences (27:59) Introduction to peptides and GLP-1 drugs (32:36) Gray market concerns and weight regain after stopping GLP-1s (37:14) Long-term safety, cost, and personalizing GLP-1 treatment (40:57) Emotional blunting and recent concerns about GLP-1s (46:30) Functional medicine approach: addressing root causes (46:46) Sponsor: Sunlighten Sauna (47:20) Sponsor: Magnesium Breakthrough from Bio Optimizers (48:17) Dr. Hyman’s evolving perspective on GLP-1s (49:19) Hormonal effects of GLP-1s for men and women (55:02) Baseline lab markers and tests before GLP-1s (57:10) New and next-gen GLP-1 therapies (59:43) Telemedicine, gray market issues, and importance of reputable practitioners (1:05:57) Rapid fire: Alcohol, common mistakes, misconceptions, and eligibility for GLP-1s (1:08:16) Key lab tests and surprising non-weight benefits

The number on your scale tells you almost nothing about your actual health. You can lose weight while becoming less healthy—or stay the same weight while dramatically improving your metabolism, reducing your risk of disease, and adding years to your life. In today's episode, I discuss: Why the scale can completely miss what's happening inside your body and the hidden health risks it can't measure The dangerous difference between muscle and visceral belly fat, and why one protects you while the other drives disease The five health markers I pay attention to instead of body weight—including one simple measurement you can do at home How insulin resistance develops years before diabetes and the early warning signs you can catch before it's too late The goal isn't simply to lose weight; it's to build a healthier metabolism. The healthiest body isn't always the lightest one—it's the one that's functioning the way it was designed to. Resources Mentioned: Want to dive deeper into why muscle is the key to longevity? Listen to my full conversation with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon here Track your health with Function Health: https://functionhealth.com/mark (Use code MARK2026 for $50 off your membership.) Have a question you’d love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here (0:00) Rethinking weight loss: muscle, metabolism, and key health metrics (7:17) Chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic health (11:00) Five metrics that matter more than weight (13:17) Shifting focus: Prioritizing health over weight loss (15:14) Muscle and longevity with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon