The Dr. Hyman Show

We’ve been taught to treat chronic diseases as isolated problems to be diagnosed and managed. But these conditions may have more in common than conventional medicine has traditionally recognized.

On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I’m joined by physician and researcher Dr. Terry Wahls, who transformed her understanding of disease after developing progressive multiple sclerosis. We discuss the emerging science behind mitochondria, inflammation, nutrition, the microbiome, and why creating health may be just as important as treating disease itself.

We explore:


What Dr. Wahls discovered about cellular health while searching for answers beyond conventional treatment


Why mitochondria may play a central role in conditions like MS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, and chronic fatigue


How food, sleep, movement, and stress directly influence inflammation, energy production, and brain health


Why focusing only on symptom suppression may overlook the deeper biological dysfunction driving chronic disease


What “creating health” actually looks like in practice—and how small daily habits can influence how you feel and function over time

What makes this conversation so compelling is that Dr. Wahls’ story challenges many of the assumptions we have about chronic disease and recovery. For me, it really highlights how profoundly nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress can shape the body’s ability to adapt and recover over time.

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

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(0:00) Dr. Terry Wahls’ illness journey, Dr. Mark Hyman’s intro, and sponsor mentions

(2:54) Dr. Wahls and Dr. Hyman discuss their medical histories

(4:00) Dr. Wahls’ experience with multiple sclerosis

(7:08) Dietary changes and physical improvements

(9:09) Environmental factors in autoimmune diseases

(11:17) Resistance in the medical system to new approaches

(12:26) Integrating basic science into clinical practice

(15:32) Mitochondrial support supplements

(20:24) Mitochondria’s role in energy-intensive tissues

(22:11) Functional medicine and Dr. Wahls’ continued health journey

(23:49) Nutrient-focused dietary approach and recovery

(26:13) Development and application of the Wahls diet

(27:35) Nutrient-rich food categories and health benefits

(30:11) NIH funding and functional medicine research potential

(34:00) Success stories from the therapeutic lifestyle clinic

(39:28) Creating health versus treating disease

(44:10) Expanding research to other chronic illnesses

(45:40) Latest clinical trials and future research directions

(47:49) Advances in chronic disease treatment science

(49:05) Predicting diet effectiveness: microbiome and genetics

(50:00) Microbiome research and multiple sclerosis

(51:18) A new theory of human biology in medicine

(53:01) Creating health through lifestyle changes

(55:13) Need for multimodal interventions in research

(58:20) Funding challenges and philanthropy’s role

(59:08) Comprehensive approaches to complex diseases

(1:01:05) Potential to reverse genetic diseases with lifestyle changes

(1:07:24) Strategies for creating a healthy human

(1:08:01) Upcoming research and initiatives by Dr. Wahls

Mold is one of the most misunderstood topics in health. Some people are told it’s not a real problem. Others are led to believe it’s the cause of every symptom they have. The truth lies somewhere in the middle.

While not everyone exposed to mold gets sick, chronic exposure to water-damaged environments can contribute to fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, sinus issues, immune dysfunction, hormone imbalances, and a wide range of symptoms that often go unexplained for years.

In today’s episode, we explore what mold-related illness actually is, who’s most vulnerable, and how to tell when your environment may be affecting your health. Here's what we cover:

The critical difference between mold exposure, mold allergies, and chronic biotoxin illness

Why some people develop severe symptoms while others in the same environment feel completely fine

The most common signs of mold-related illness—from brain fog and fatigue to anxiety, hormone disruption, and immune dysfunction

How to investigate mold safely and effectively, including environmental testing, biomarkers, and practical next steps for recovery

Mold illness is real—but so is the fear and misinformation surrounding it. The goal isn’t to panic or assume mold is the answer to every health problem. It’s to understand how your environment influences your biology, identify whether mold is truly part of the picture, and create the conditions your body needs to heal.

Resources Mentioned:

Learn more about the PK Protocol: https://bit.ly/49KS933

Track your metabolic and cardiovascular health biomarkers: functionhealth.com/mark for 160+ lab tests at just $365/year. Use code MARK2026 for $50 off.

Have a question you'd love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here

If we're wired for joy, why do so many successful people feel exhausted, disconnected, or emotionally flat?

On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I sit down with psychiatrist, researcher, and author Dr. Judith Joseph, whose team conducted the first peer-reviewed clinical study on high-functioning depression. We talk about why feeling "fine" on the outside doesn't always reflect what's happening beneath the surface—and why so many people struggle to feel fully alive.

You’ll learn:


Why achievement and productivity don't always lead to fulfillment


How to tell whether you're burned out—or struggling with high-functioning depression


The surprising connection between unresolved trauma, people-pleasing, and chronic stress


What your phone, social media habits, and screen time may be doing to your mood


How to start reclaiming joy when life feels flat, exhausting, or unfulfilling

Like many people, I've spent periods of my life focused on achievement and productivity, believing fulfillment would follow. I've learned that the most important work isn't always doing more—it's understanding what's keeping us from fully experiencing joy in the first place.

Want to explore this further? Dr. Judith Joseph offers several self-assessments under the "Quiz" tab on her website, including tools for anhedonia, high-functioning depression, and trauma.

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

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Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal

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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

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(0:00) High functioning depression, burnout, and Dr. Hyman's personal experience

(2:37) Introduction Dr. Judith Joseph

(5:13) Depression among medical professionals and defining anhedonia

(7:04) Joy as part of our DNA and identifying high functioning depression

(13:23) Biological causes, biomarkers, and differences between burnout and high functioning depression

(18:18) Avoiding trauma processing by staying busy; hedonism and anhedonia

(22:14) Identifying roots of trauma, childhood patterns, and using transitional objects

(25:51) Finding points of joy amidst depression and people pleasing in high-functioning individuals

(30:39) Neurological shifts, lack of joy, and the biopsychosocial model of depression

(36:56) Digital depression, reducing screen time, and healthy tech relationships

(49:09) Women's hormones, midlife shifts, and distinguishing hormonal from psychiatric conditions

(58:30) Reclaiming joy, the five v's, and processing emotions

(1:01:21) The significance of venting, emotional boundaries, and healthy outlets

(1:05:28) Defining values, mind-body connection, and social relationships

(1:09:05) Planning and scheduling future joy and connection

(1:13:22) The evolution of psychiatry, spirituality, and Gen Z's spiritual study

(1:18:03) Finding meaning, purpose, and learning more about high functioning depression

High cholesterol is one of the most common reasons people are told they’re at risk for heart disease. But what if cholesterol isn’t the root problem? What if it’s actually a signal of deeper metabolic dysfunction—and focusing on the number alone causes us to miss what’s really driving cardiovascular risk?

In today’s episode, we explore a functional medicine approach to cholesterol and heart health, including:

Why high cholesterol is often a downstream effect of insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction

The surprising role sugar, refined carbohydrates, and ultra-processed foods play in driving unhealthy cholesterol patterns

How healthy fats, protein, fiber, and gut health influence cholesterol regulation and cardiovascular risk

The nutrition and lifestyle changes that can improve metabolic health—and begin shifting key biomarkers in as little as 10 days

When it comes to cholesterol, the better question isn’t always, "How do I lower this number?" It’s, "Why is it elevated in the first place?" By addressing the root causes—from blood sugar imbalance and inflammation to diet, movement, sleep, and stress—you can improve not just your cholesterol, but the underlying metabolic health that drives long-term cardiovascular risk.

Resources Mentioned:

Learn more about the 10-Day Detox: https://bit.ly/3PIUoxf

Listen to my full conversation with Dr. Aseem Malhotra: https://bit.ly/4x5wEUR

Track your metabolic and cardiovascular health biomarkers: functionhealth.com/mark for 160+ lab tests at just $365/year. Use code MARK2026 for $50 off.

Have a question you'd love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here

(0:25) Introduction

(1:11) Understanding and Addressing Cholesterol with Functional Medicine

(2:20) Metabolic Dysfunction, Health Reset, and Dietary Recommendations

(8:07) Example Daily Meal Plan and Importance of Movement

(12:46) Sleep, Stress, and Supplements for Cholesterol

(14:27) Cardiovascular Risk Insights and Dr. Asim Malhotra Clip

(20:30) Closing Remarks, Listener Engagement, and Social Media

(21:57) Disclaimer, Medical Guidance, and Gratitude to Sponsors

Depression is often treated as a single condition. But two people with the same diagnosis can have completely different underlying causes.

On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I’m rejoined by Dr. James Greenblatt to explore why depression may be less of a disease and more of a signal that something deeper is going on. We discuss how a root-cause approach can uncover what’s driving symptoms and why finding what’s beneath them matters.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

We discuss:


Could nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, or gut issues be contributing to symptoms of depression


What tests can help uncover the biological factors that may be affecting mood and mental health


Why can two people with depression have different root causes—and require different solutions


How do blood sugar imbalances, hormone changes, and metabolic health influence the brain


What should you know about antidepressants, tapering, and addressing the factors that may affect recovery

Hope doesn't come from ignoring symptoms—it comes from understanding them. Sometimes the most important question isn't "What's wrong with me?" but "What might my body be trying to tell me?"

One of the key themes in this conversation is that mental health is deeply connected to what's happening throughout the body. In my Brainshaping Academy, you'll learn how to support the biological systems that shape cognitive, emotional, and mental well-being.

View Show Notes From This Episode

Depression symptoms aren’t always just “in your head.” Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy shows how your gut, immune system, and nutrient levels may be responsible—and what you can do about it. → 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, Made In Cookware, Perfect Amino, BON CHARGE, and Big Bold Health.Go to seed.com/hyman and use code 20HYMAN to get 20% off your first month.Visit madeincookware.com and use code HYMAN10 for 10% off your order.Go to bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 to get 20% off your first order.Head to boncharge.com/hyman and use code HYMAN for 15% off.Go to bigboldhealth.com/drhyman and use code HYMAN15 to save 15% on your first order.

(0:00) Antidepressants, Cooking at Home, and Introducing the Brain Shaping Academy

(3:14) Prevalence of Depression and Personal Stories

(4:27) Exploring Root Causes of Depression

(5:07) Influential Figures and Orthomolecular Psychiatry

(12:29) Gut Health, Gluten Sensitivity, and Brain Inflammation

(20:22) Neuroinflammation and Root Causes of Depression

(22:10) Biomarkers, Hormonal Imbalances, and Insulin Resistance

(25:34) The Role of Toxins and Diagnostic Testing

(31:15) Case Studies and Patient Stories

(34:29) Challenges in the Mental Health System

(37:05) Effectiveness of Antidepressants and Patient Resistance

(43:17) Role and Need for Nutritional Lithium

(45:00) Sponsor: Big Bold Health

(46:00) Identifying Nutritional Lithium Need

(47:13) Integrating Modalities and Supplements vs. Medications

(48:04) Psychotherapy Methods and Addressing Root Causes

(49:34) Dr. Greenblatt's Book and the Finding a Living Platform

(51:03) Systematic Approach and Global Impact of Depression

(52:39) Sharing, Disclaimer, and Closing Remarks