How does grief affect our physical health?

Question

Does anyone know how grief can affect our health? Why does it hurt so much in our bodies?

Answer 1

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this topic and episode, please click the "like" button and subscribe to our channel.
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, in here and out there.

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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 fucking 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.

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It is hard to leave and even harder to be left. Regardless, I have been there many times in my 50+ years of life on both sides of the coin.
What has helped me is having a dog to co-regulate your heart and getting a couple of new sets of sheets to lessen the scent of the other.
Take good care of yourself. Love will come again.

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​@@johncorona1375Yes, you try again. Condolences to you and yours.

Answer 3

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 a short period, 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 4

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

Answer 5

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 6

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

Comments

Sincerest condolences.  I will be thinking of you.

Answer 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 episode!

Answer 12

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

Answer 13

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 14

I took care of my husband (who had end stage lung disease)for 4 yrs and lost him in my arms at home last May. It was the death he wanted and we got to say all we needed to. That said, one year later I continue to be LOST.  My children are grown, and his side of our family is grieving, so I find myself slowly deteriorating as I compartmentalize my grief.
I had no idea how traumatic it would be to turn off his breathing equipment and see his limbs turn purple as he died.  I am an Occupational therapist by trade, so I’m so grateful I was able to care for him, but I sure have no desire to go back to healthcare. Now that I’m on a fixed income I mostly live in sadness and fear.
Thank you for this podcast.

Answer 15

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.

Answer 16

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 17

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

Answer 18

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 19

Just lost my grandmother. I've sent this to my Mum hope it helps her.

Answer 20

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