Why You Know What to Do, But Still Don’t Do It
Mark Hyman
May 19, 2025
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Cultivate positive emotions to form lasting habits
It is a myth that repetition creates habits; habits are actually formed by the positive emotions, like the feeling of success, that you experience after performing a behavior.
Embrace adaptability to thrive as apex predators
Humans are the ultimate apex predator not because of strength, but because we can adapt to change better than any other animal, even physiologically.
Listen to your body: understand vagal nerve communication
The vagal nerve is estimated to be 80% afferent, meaning the body is telling the brain what is going on far more than the brain is instructing the body.
Write a letter to yourself to break negative emotional loops
To break out of a negative emotional loop like an argument, write a letter to yourself instructing you to laugh out loud, and have your partner read it to you.
Praise effort to foster a growth mindset
To build a growth mindset, praise the process, such as hard work, rather than innate traits like intelligence, to avoid creating fragility when facing challenges.
Reevaluate microdosing psilocybin for creativity and focus
Contrary to popular belief, microdosing psilocybin may not increase creativity or focus, but instead can feel like a low-grade buzz without any unpleasant after-effects.
Recognize your mindset as the reality you swim in
Your mindset is like the water a fish swims in; it's the constructed reality you exist in, and you're often the last to realize it's there.
Believe in your ability to improve for lasting change
The only belief that truly matters is that you can improve, because without it, you won't have the energy or motivation to put in the effort to change.
Utilize 'Feel, Feed, Find' framework to conquer cravings
To overcome cravings, use the 'three Fs': identify what you Feel, understand how the craving Feeds that feeling, and then Find an alternative behavior to satisfy the need.
More from
Mark Hyman
Rethinking ADHD: Root Causes, Real Healing, and the Power of Functional Medicine
How to Catch Alzheimer’s Before It Starts, with Dr. Eric Topol
The Longevity Code: How Purpose, Connection, and Science Are Rewriting Aging Episode Description:
Psychedelics, Depression, and the Brain: A Breakthrough Framework for Mental Health
What If We Got Sunlight All Wrong? The Truth About Vitamin D & Chronic Disease