Breathe Better, Live Better: The Surprising Benefits of Breathwork

On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I sit down with Dr. Robert Hedaya, a psychiatrist who has spent decades working at the intersection of biology, brain function, and mental health. His approach starts with a different question than most psychiatry asks: what’s interfering with the brain’s ability to regulate, adapt, and repair itself? We talk about why many mental health diagnoses describe symptoms without explaining causes—and how measuring brain function, energy, and network activity is opening the door to more precise, individualized care. Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. [YOUTUBE THUMBNAIL] We discuss: • How biological imbalances can drive anxiety, depression, and cognitive symptoms • Why many “treatment-resistant” mental health issues have overlooked root causes • How brain energy and mitochondrial function influence mood and cognition • What advanced brain mapping reveals about how your brain is actually working For far too long, mental health care has focused on managing symptoms in isolation. This discussion looks at what becomes possible when we treat the brain as part of the whole system and support its ability to heal. View Show Notes From This Episode 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, Sunlighten, Timeline, Paleovalley, Fatty15 and Pique. Go to seed.com/hyman and use code 20HYMAN to get 20% off your first month. Visit sunlighten.com and use code HYMAN to save up to $1400. Receive 35% off  a subscription at timeline.com/drhyman. Head to paleovalley.com and use code HYMAN20 for 20% off your first order. Visit fatty15.com/hyman and use code HYMAN to save an extra 15% on a 90-day subscription. Secure 20% off your order plus a free starter kit at piquelife.com/hyman.

In this Office Hours episode, I break down what the government finally got right about food, where the new guidelines still fall short, and—most importantly—how to apply them in real life without confusion or overwhelm. For the first time in decades, there’s meaningful progress: a recognition that ultra-processed foods are harming us, that protein matters for optimal health, and that nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all. But there’s still work to do. In this episode, I break down: • Why calling out ultra-processed foods is the most important—and historic—shift in the new guidelines • What the new protein recommendations actually mean for everyday people • Why the low-fat era is finally ending—and why whole foods matter more than isolated nutrients • Where the guidelines still fall short, including saturated fat limits, whole grain recommendations, and lack of personalization • How to apply the guidelines to kids and families without perfection or overwhelm • Why chronic disease is a policy problem—not a personal failure The new dietary guidelines are a foundation, not a finish line. Use them as a starting point: focus on food quality, reduce ultra-processed foods, prioritize protein, and personalize your choices based on how your body responds. 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 Nutrition 101: The Foundation of Feeling Your Best https://drhyman.com/pages/nutrition-101 Pre-order my book, Food Fix Uncensored: https://drhyman.com/pages/food-fix Have a question you’d love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here 👉https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNF2y4lFWEOMLlzVNlFDpJ4xl7oOpH9NlImMoHr5mHggL_Ww/viewform?usp=header

Longevity isn’t just about what you eat or how you train—it’s really more about whether you believe your body is worth investing in. On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I’m joined by my longtime friend and colleague Dr. Gabrielle Lyon to explore why muscle may be one of the most overlooked drivers of long-term health. We focus on practical, accessible ways to build strength as you age, and why muscle plays a much bigger role in your health than most people realize. We explore: • How strength training supports your blood sugar and metabolic health, beyond what the scale can show • Why muscle quality—not weight—is a stronger predictor of long-term health • How building strength helps you stay mobile, capable, and resilient as you age • What most people miss about protein and muscle health Aging well is something you can actively support, starting with how you care for your body today. And strength is one of the most powerful places you can begin. View Show Notes From This Episode 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 Timeline, PerfectAmino, BIOptimizers, Mau Nui, Made In Cookware and BON CHARGE. Receive 35% off off a subscription at timeline.com/drhyman. Go to bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 to get 20% off your first order. Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman and use promo code HYMAN at checkout to save 15%. Learn more about the health benefits of venison and how to get yours, head over to mauinuivenison.com/hyman. Head to madeincookware.com and use the code HYMAN for 10% off your order. Upgrade your routine. Head to boncharge.com/hyman and use code DRMARK for 15% off. (0:00) Introduction and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon's background (1:00) Protein's importance across ages and muscle benefits (3:28) Muscle: A neglected organ and its metabolic roles (8:01) Assessing muscle quality and functional health (13:09) Resistance training and muscle rejuvenation strategies (19:33) Muscle's immune and hormonal functions (22:29) Myokines and body composition analysis (26:17) Strength training and innovative techniques (32:05) Muscle as the organ of longevity and protein's significance (38:12) Dietary guidelines and protein requirement debates (48:08) Amino acids, protein turnover, and intake strategies (59:48) Metabolic flexibility and creatine's benefits (1:00:21) Sponsor: Timeline's research on urolithin A (1:02:20) Mitochondrial health and muscle-centric medicine (1:08:14) Muscle health's mismatch with chronic diseases (1:10:20) Dr. Lyon's longevity practices and quickfire questions (1:16:03) Strength's importance during menopause and cold exposure (1:18:51) Dr. Lyon's career highlights and resources (1:20:17) Closing remarks and disclaimers

What Should I Actually Eat? Diet confusion is everywhere. But the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all diet. The best diet is the one that works for your biology. In this Office Hours episode, I answer your most common diet questions and break down the core principles everyone should understand before choosing how to eat. In this episode I break down: • Why the “best diet” is personalized—and why ideology should never override biology • The universal principles everyone should follow, regardless of diet • Why ultra-processed foods—not carbs, fat, or protein—are the real problem • How blood sugar dysregulation drives chronic disease, including mental health issues • Keto, paleo, vegan, and Mediterranean: who they help, common mistakes, and what to watch for • How to tell if your diet is working—using symptoms, energy, digestion, mood, and labs Your body is the smartest doctor in the room. The key is learning how to listen. 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 Have a question you’d love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNF2y4lFWEOMLlzVNlFDpJ4xl7oOpH9NlImMoHr5mHggL_Ww/viewform?usp=header

On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I’m rejoined by psychiatrist and Harvard professor Dr. Chris Palmer for a conversation that challenges how we’ve been taught to think about mental illness. For decades, psychiatry has focused on managing symptoms—often without asking what’s actually driving them. We discuss a different way of understanding mental health, one that looks beyond diagnostic labels and considers how whole-body biology influences brain function, resilience, and recovery.  Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. In this conversation, we explore: • Why mental illness is rising alongside obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases • How whole-body biology influences mood, focus, and emotional resilience • The link between inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and conditions like depression and bipolar disorder • How nutrition, testing, and lifestyle changes can support real recovery If mental health has ever felt close to home for you or someone you care about, this conversation is meant to offer clarity, compassion, and a place to start. This episode was recorded live at the Eudēmonia Summit, a conference exploring the future of health, longevity, and well-being. Learn more at eudemonia.net. View Show Notes From This Episode 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 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 Timeline, BON CHARGE, Qualia, Paleovalley, Pique and Korrus. Receive 35% off a subscription at timeline.com/drhyman. Upgrade your routine. Head to boncharge.com/hyman and use code DRMARK for 15% off. Go to qualialife.com/hyman and use code HYMAN at checkout for an extra 15% off. Head to paleovalley.com and use code HYMAN20 for 20% off your first order. Secure 20% off your order plus a free starter kit at piquelife.com/hyman.Upgrade your lighting. Enjoy 15% off at korrus.com/drhyman. (0:00) Introduction to mental health crisis and guest Dr. Christopher Palmer (1:31) Eudaimonia Summit and psychiatric revolution (3:06) Traditional and systemic views on psychiatric disorders (7:23) Misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental disorders (10:15) The impact of childhood experiences on mental health (13:28) Root causes of mental illness: Inflammation and brain dysfunction (21:23) Metabolic dysfunction in mental illness (24:15) Significance of metabolism in mental health (27:47) Metabolic nutritional psychiatry and premature mortality (32:34) The mental health revolution and metabolic treatments (34:16) Ketogenic diet as a potential treatment for mental disorders (37:18) Functional and network medicine in mental health (41:13) Biomarkers and potential treatments in metabolic mental health (49:07) Ketogenic therapy and its anti-inflammatory effects (50:12) Historical and emerging paradigms in psychiatry (54:38) Integrating functional medicine into mainstream psychiatry (56:20) Addressing chronic disease in national health discussions (58:22) Closing remarks and further resources (59:02) Podcast outro and call to action