The Mental Health Crisis Starts in the Gut Dr. William Li & Dr. Mark Hyman

It’s easy to think of mental health as something happening only in the brain. But more and more, we’re seeing how closely it’s tied to what’s going on in the gut. Today, I’m joined again by Dr. William Li, a New York Times bestselling author. We discuss his latest book, Eat to Beat Your Diet, and how food, inflammation, and microbiome shape the way we think and feel. Watch the full conversation on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts - In this conversation we discuss: • What if your anxiety or brain fog is actually a signal coming from your gut • Why gut health may be the missing piece in how we think about mental health • How everyday foods can either fuel inflammation or help calm your system • The compounds in real food that quietly support memory, mood, and mental clarity • Simple shifts that can help reset your system and support how you feel day to day Mental health isn’t separate from the rest of the body. The more we understand that, the more it shifts where you look for answers. If you’re looking for more support and community around this, the 10-Day Detox is designed to help reduce inflammation and support your body using real food. View Show Notes From This Episode Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results This episode is brought to you by Korrus, BIOptimizers, Seed, Maui Nui, Made In Cookware and Sunlighten. Visit korrus.com/drhyman for 15% off their newest product OIO Sphere with code HYMANSPHERE15. Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman and use promo code HYMAN at checkout to save 15%. Go to seed.com/hyman and use code 20HYMAN to get 20% off your first month. Go to mauinuivenison.com/hyman to claim your free 6-pack of their Wild Axis Venison Jerky Sticks. Visit madeincookware.com and use code HYMAN10 for 10% off your order. Visit sunlighten.com and use code HYMAN to save up to $1600 today! (0:00) Food as medicine, the flavorome, and the gut-brain connection (3:20) Food, gut health, and mental health (6:02) The flavorome’s impact on gut and brain health (10:33) Importance of a balanced gut microbiome (13:35) Feeding the microbiome with polyphenols (21:19) Anti-inflammatory properties of ellagic acid and polyphenols (26:05) Lactobacillus reuteri: benefits for wound healing and mental health (30:12) Natural flavors, phytochemicals, and animal intelligence (38:17) Inflammation, processed foods, and mental health (44:12) Diet’s impact on gut health, symptoms, and benefits of cooking (47:50) Polyphenols, brain health, and neurogenesis (55:25) Ibogaine, brain regeneration, and personal experiences (1:00:40) The future of brain and eye health (1:02:28) Upcoming projects, professional advice, and gratitude (1:05:45) Final thoughts, resources, and outro

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The Mental Health Crisis Starts in the Gut Dr. William Li & Dr. Mark Hyman is an episode from The Doctor's Farmacy with Mark Hyman, M.D. by Dr. Mark Hyman.

This episode is 65:17 long.

This episode was published on Apr 29, 2026.

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