In what ways does grief impact our overall physical wellbeing and what steps can we take to address this?

Question

As someone said before, I have also heard that grief is associated with various health risks. How does grief affect physical health? Which steps can we take to care for these risks?

Answer 1

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this topic and episode, please show your appreciation.
Thank you for your interest in science!   -- Andrew

Comments

Thank you <3 My dog died in February, he was 17, we were one for 11 years, always playing outside, for hours. I did not really have parents or family, my best friend died when I was 14, a lot of abuse in my house. Loss, grief, and celebrating what there was and is, it is such an important, impactful subject. I have been frozen since February, it's summer, I know, but I just can't leave the house for long. I am going to listen to this episode. Love to all beings, culture and nature.

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❤❤❤

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Comment ❤❤

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He used to have Blond Hair. His beef jerky and sponges have been delivered to Stanford.  Love, Elizabeth.

Answer 2

Going through the hardest breakup of my life. This is what I needed

Comments

Hang in there. Andrew's single content on Grief also helps. He also mentions Mary-Frances there. I'm looking forward to reading this one as well.

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Hi, I see and hear you. Break ups really suck. I hope you find comfort soon.

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Break ups? My wife lost her breast, lost her hair, and suffered for years with cancer until she died. If you are young, and going thru a break up, try again! What does someone do after caring for a loved one for years in terror? Try again?!?

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Grief comes in many forms. Try pausing before reacting to someone else's pain when it doesn't meet your own. I wish you solace in your loss.

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hoped to provide the break up ppl with some perspective. …and that’s I never wished myself dead or heart attack after a “break up”. Thanks for your input, and ideas as to finding solace, I’m open? So far, she is saying grief is natural? Others say love is our nature? Which is it?

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like my first reply to was deleted. Like this woman, and Andrew, no real ppl, real advice, only yall really happy and excited about grieving.

Answer 3

My lovely mother passed away unexpectedly in her sleep May 5, 2025. Im looking forward to listening to this timely content.

Answer 4

My father passed away last year, and 3 days ago I lost my dog, who meant the world to me. Thank you Dr. Huberman, for everything that you do.

Answer 5

I am living proof you can suffer heart issues after major loss. Hence the term: broken heart. Within a few months time I lost both parents and a sibling, 3 funerals in 5 days time, lost a beloved 15 year old pet, a best friend and at the peak of my business, had to walk away because I could barely catch my breath. Ended up in ER four times due to heart palpitations. Turns out my broken heart and grief overwhelmed my nervous system. I went on small dosage heart RX and sought counsel from a wise 85 yr old therapist to process the 5 stages of grief. I’m doing great now. Thank you for this very important topic.

Comments

And it’s been now revealed 5 stages are not linear and come in waves

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therapy was well and thorough, one can pass through those waves very smoothly.

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Jenny Florence, Accredited Councellor 26 Yrs Going Through her Own Immense Immediate  Family Incredible Loss and Shock. Wrote a Book about Emotions and Wellness ... Mindfulness meets Awareness...and a Huge Career..Or More...Purpose Change Life. To help Process and Understanding ❤️❤️❤️

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Glad you are doing well !

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What does 'RX' mean? This is not a standard abbreviation here in the UK. Kind thank you.

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means prescription medication.

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The medical term for a broken heart is Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Answer 6

Dr. O'Connor's explanation of grief as a natural process tied to love and attachment really resonated with me. Grieving isn't something to fix—it's something to understand and live through. Thank you both for sharing these insights with such compassion and clarity.

Answer 7

My grandmother passed this morning and I’m struggling. Perfect timing, thank you

Answer 8

This would have been helpful to me a decade ago. When I finally had a minute to grieve the loss of my marriage and dream, I became completely unhinged and unrecognizable as I sought dopamine through unhealthy situations. Glad it's being talked about.

Answer 9

I’m red eye crying because both are describing just what I’m feeling. I had a dream about my dad approving of a big purchase. And I have not been able to shake the feeling of his loss even after sharing with my siblings.
This content definitely helps me understand the loss process.

Answer 10

Thank you for posting this very important topic, Andrew.
O'Connor's book "The Grieving Brain" helped me immensely in understanding my process after the loss of my spouse. Grief is a continuous journey that has no end, but you do get better at navigating the course. Understanding how it affects you physically and neurologically offers you the grace you need to move onward with hope.

Answer 11

I am learning how to live with the loss of my beautiful Frida, my soul-dog, my best friend ever. When I spontaneously start looking for her and then realize she is not here, I find her inside my heart.

Comments

I totally understand, I feel the same with my loss of my pets, being parrots, especially those that became ill and even with veterinarian intervention I couldn't save them... accept keep them cuddled with me until the end. Most people understand the grief of a dog or cat, but don't understand how precious birds are as well. I wish you the best in healing.

Answer 12

I am happy to have known everyone of the connections to my loved / beloved & am blessed beyond all expression of their individual selves, & say I remember each one of you & appreciation of you all being a part of my life/ me to carry you with me onward to become a continuously better version of me because of all of you.

Answer 13

I have lost both parents. My dad suddenly of an aneurysm 22 years ago. My mother 2 years ago to an adverse reaction to an RX—so a few months, but nothing like cancer or dementia where there’s extended planning/preparation time like with her siblings. For me, the sudden was worse. But there could be a few other factors like I was only 33, I am a daddy’s girl, and he was my first parent to go. Thank you for this content!

Answer 14

I am really grateful!
After the previous episode on loss/grief understanding guided my journey (Dad passed Dec 24)
I remember thinking an episode with Mary Frances would be amazing … and here we are … at exactly the right time
Keep the good work going

Answer 15

What a wonderful amount of information on all levels. Thank you!

Answer 16

Grief is just love with nowhere to go. If you’re here reading, you’re not alone. Sending love to anyone hurting today ❤️

Answer 17

Going through an incredibly tough time after a divorce, health and financial issues and tragic loss of a friend in 6 months. I'm a skater from Sydney from back in the 90's and ended up moving into medical technology.
I just wanted to say thanks, Andrew, for getting me through another lonely week, mate. You give a lot of us sad souls a bit of hope, and with practical protocols I can do, even in this dark place is everything right now.
I don't think I'd be alive this month if it wasn't for your podcast brother. Keep up the good work ❤

Comments

Hi Ken sounds like you’ve had a nightmare time lately and I’m so sorry for your losses and troubles. Hang in there, things will get better in time. Just wanted to say hi from the UK

Answer 18

My daughter died suddenly when I was 39 weeks pregnant with her. The grief is overwhelming and earth shattering and then 2 years later, I lost my beloved cat at 18 years old. It left me with an inability to connect with anyone.

Answer 19

My wife is about to be tested for Huntington’s. We’ve been stuck in a space of potential grief for years. It’s been a journey of learning to accept the impermanence of life - nobody is guaranteed tomorrow, but it’s hard to embrace that idea.

Answer 20

I was getting weekly massages after my father passed. I needed touch but my heart was so broken, I didn’t want hugs—I just didn’t have the right people around me to get a pure agape love hug. The massage helped me transmute the pain from my grief into a loving remembrance. By healing my body, I was healing my broken heart.