Functional Medicine Psychiatry – Getting to the Root Cause of Mental Illness
Mark Hyman
May 29, 2024
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Recognize lithium as essential mineral to combat mental illness
Lithium is an essential trace mineral, not just a drug, and widespread deficiency from no longer drinking tap water may be a factor in rising mental illness.
Reform psychiatric model to address root causes of mental health crisis
The mental health epidemic is better described as a 'crisis of care' because the conditions are treatable, but the current psychiatric model is failing to address root causes.
Test hair analysis for accurate lithium deficiency assessment
A hair analysis is the most helpful way to test for nutritional lithium deficiency, as a blood test will not show your levels.
Detect cryptopyrroluria to address nutrient deficiencies for mental health
A simple urine test can detect cryptopyrroluria, a condition where a molecule binds to zinc and vitamin B6, creating a functional deficiency of these critical nutrients for mental health.
Recognize anorexia as a zinc deficiency disorder
Anorexia nervosa can be understood as a zinc deficiency disorder, where the body's high need for zinc during puberty clashes with a diet lacking the mineral.
Utilize nutrients to manage borderline personality disorder symptoms
Symptoms of borderline personality disorder, such as impulsivity and irritability, can be responsive to nutrient interventions like low-dose lithium, omega-3s, and magnesium.
Implement omega-3 supplementation to combat suicide rates in civilian psychiatry
The U.S. military fortifies rations with Omega-3s to decrease suicide rates, yet this is still not standard practice in civilian psychiatry despite extensive research.
Address low amino acid levels to combat depression in women
Many women suffer from depression due to low amino acid levels caused by a lack of stomach acid from stress, which prevents them from absorbing protein even from a healthy diet.
More from
Mark Hyman
Why Love Feels So Hard — And How to Finally Feel Safe in Your Relationships (with Jillian Turecki)
Stop Blaming Salt: Fixing High Blood Pressure by Treating the Root Cause
The Future of Medicine Is Energy: Dr. Martin Picard Explains
The School Lunch Revolution: Nourishing Minds, One Meal at a Time
Transform Your Health Like Miranda Kerr: Inside Her Daily Routine
You also might be interested in
Surgical Biohacks, Anesthesia Myths, Future Cosmetic Procedures and More with Dr. Cameron Chesnut
This Is Why You're Still Suffering (No Matter What You Do) | Dr. Joe Dispenza
How To Train Your Brain Like A Muscle: Mental Fitness SECRETS (& A Headband That Makes You Smarter!) with Ariel Garten of Muse
The Uncomfortable Truth That Will Reinvent Your Life in 2026
Buddhist Monk Explains Why You Feel Lost & Empty Inside
