Mental Illness as Body Problems Affecting the Brain

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.

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(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