I Wish You Knew How Stress from Relationships Destroys Your Body | Adam Lane Smith
Dec 13, 2025
In this engaging conversation, physician-scientist Nick Norwitz shares his expertise on how relationship stress can harm our health. He discusses how emotional conflict spikes cortisol, causing blood sugar issues and long-term metabolic risks. The duo explores the evolutionary perspective on social threats, oxytocin's calming effects, and how stress affects our relationships. They also highlight the importance of validation and understanding in communication, revealing how clear connections can heal emotional wounds and strengthen bonds.
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Stress Literally Makes Sugar
- Psychological stress can directly trigger the brain to tell the liver to make new sugar without eating carbs.
- Nick Norwitz explains this neural line from amygdala → hypothalamus → liver raises blood glucose during stress.
Brain Treats Arguments Like Predators
- The body treats psychological threats like physical danger, mobilizing quick-burning sugar for survival.
- Gluconeogenesis converts amino acids, lactate, and glycerol into blood glucose during stress.
Interrupt Stress-Driven Habits
- Notice that chronic stress biases your brain toward rigid habits and poor coping behaviours.
- When you spot that bias, deliberately choose alternative actions like a walk instead of reactive comfort-eating.