The Dr. Hyman Show

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

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This episode is brought to you by Big Bold Health, BIOptimizers, Rho, Sunlighten, Paleovalley, and Pique.

Go to bigboldhealth.com/drhyman and use code HYMAN15 to save 15% on your first order.

Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman and use promo code HYMAN at checkout to save 15%.

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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

Morning routines have become one of the most talked-about topics in health and wellness—but it’s not just about productivity or checking boxes. How you start your morning has a direct biological impact on your brain, your energy, your metabolism, and even how well you sleep at night. Yet, so many people inadvertently sabotage their biology first thing in the morning with dopamine hits, sugar, and stress.

In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my morning routine to share the science-backed, foundational habits I use every day, including:

What morning sunlight, hydration, and movement actually do to reset your internal clock and regulate your hormones

A step-by-step breakdown of my personal daily flow, including electrolyte rehydration, full-spectrum light glasses, qigong, and meditation

The exact longevity ingredients I put into my morning "medicine shake"

How to maintain consistency on the road with non-negotiable travel habits

A powerful morning routine isn’t about creating a perfect, complicated schedule—it's about doing the right things consistently. The key is starting simple with just one or two small habits that compound over time, giving you the grounded foundation you need to show up as the CEO of your own health.

Visit ⁠functionhealth.com/mark for 160+ lab tests at just $365 a year. Use code mark 2026 for $50 off.

Want to learn how healing your body can help heal your mind? Sign up for the Brain Shaping Academy HERE.

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

For far too long, many women have been told their symptoms were normal, exaggerated, or simply something they had to live with—treated as isolated problems instead of part of a much larger hormonal transition happening inside the body.

On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I’m joined by Dr. Sharon Malone, host of The Second Opinion podcast and Chief Medical Advisor at Alloy Women’s Health.

We discuss how menopause and hormone therapy became so misunderstood, the real story behind the Women’s Health Initiative study, and why a more individualized, prevention-focused approach to women’s health is long overdue.

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

We explore:


Why so many women enter perimenopause completely unprepared—and how symptoms can begin years before menopause officially starts


What the Women’s Health Initiative actually found, and how one medical narrative reshaped women’s healthcare for decades


How menopause affects far more than reproduction, including the brain, heart, sleep, metabolism, and bone health


What you should know about hormone therapy today, including timing, individualized treatment, and understanding risk in context


The daily habits that still matter most for healthy aging, whether or not you choose hormone therapy

Midlife health should never be reduced to “just deal with it.” The more women understand what’s happening inside their bodies, the earlier they can take steps to protect their long-term health and quality of life.

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 - ⁠Click Here⁠

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, Rho, Sunlighten and BIOptimizers.

Head to paleovalley.com/hyman to save 15% off your first order today.

Secure 20% off your order plus a free starter kit at piquelife.com/hyman.

Go to bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 to get 20% off your first order.

Head over to rhonutrition.com and use code HYMAN to get 20% off their entire product line.

Visit sunlighten.com and use code HYMAN to save up to $1600 today!

Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman and use promo code HYMAN at checkout to save 15%.

(0:00) Introduction, survey on hormone use, and Dr. Sharon Malone’s expertise  

(4:04) Importance of women's health research and historical neglect  

(5:35) Lack of education and preparation for menopause  

(6:28) Societal and historical biases in women's health  

(9:05) Observational studies vs. randomized controlled trials  

(13:30) Life cycles, hormonal changes, and stages in women  

(19:26) Detailed stages of hormonal changes and perimenopause  

(23:00) Misdiagnosis and definition of menopause  

(25:02) The term "postmenopausal" and its significance  

(26:34) Impact of menopause on organ systems and major symptoms  

(31:19) Lifestyle factors and hormone therapy options  

(39:25) Black box warning, Women’s Health Initiative, and therapy timing  

(45:00) Women's Health Initiative findings and breast cancer risk  

(47:57) Reinterpreting breast cancer risk and black box warning  

(53:21) Personalized hormone therapy and clinical diagnosis  

(59:55) Importance of estrogen and bioidentical vs. synthetic hormones  

(1:03:35) Addressing sexual health and testosterone use for women  

(1:08:05) FDA-approved peptides for women’s arousal disorder  

(1:09:57) Long-term benefits of hormone therapy  

(1:12:43) Early menopause, hormone therapy, and health impacts  

(1:15:07) Estrogen’s role in brain health and dementia prevention  

(1:16:22) Alzheimer’s risk in women and hormonal