In what ways does grief impact our physical wellbeing, and how can we manage it?

Question

Break it down for me please, how does grief affect our physical health, and how can we manage it?

Answer 1

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this topic and episode, please express 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, 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.

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Thank you.

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Before the doctor begins I want to have my say so as not to forget the point of view of my many pains, affections, feelings, call them what you want virtual, or only in my head, or communicating by chatting, many times, many times I had to delete the chats after days, weeks, or months, even after a year once (it was also sporadic) I felt pain, And I cry for this loss of communication, contact, attention we only talk about chatting

Answer 2

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 discussing 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.

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Aaaaw sending you the BIGGEST hug ❤ I’m so sorry you had to go through all that, heartbreaking literally, but happy to hear you are better. I am with you on the nervous system and healing the heart, I had similar experience healing mine as my intuition said if I just heal my mind and nervous system I will be fine. Still alive despite what I was told. All the best from the French alps ❄️

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​@@simjumsoresRx is a Latin abbreviation for a prescription. Pretty much used in modern day as a doctors prescribed medication

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Broken Heart Syndrome is real...

Answer 3

Oddly enough, I always feel like I’m grieving someone. Lost love. Lost fur babies. I’ve even been grieving the missed opportunity to have a good relationship with my dad. I needed this today. Thank you so much.

Answer 4

Been grieving the loss of my husband of 34 years.... he took his own life almost 2 years ago and I gotta say year two is worse than year 1. The heaviness of grief can take my breath away.  I'll carry it forever and that thought can be exhausting

Answer 5

Its wild what emotions does to the human experience, especially the psychosomatic symptoms. Thank you as always AH with these guests!

Answer 6

I have Dr O'Connor's book "The Grieving Brain" on my bedside chest for many years. It's a must read for everyone.

Answer 7

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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I 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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, you try again. Condolences to you and yours.

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a dog and trying again is what they all say. You ever try to paint something pretty with only black colors?

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I’m so sorry for your loss- this grief is just as strong as any that someone can feel. I pray you heal soon

Answer 8

Her use of pause while delivering important information is excellent and allows time for us to process. I would like to sit in on her lectures.

Answer 9

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

Comments

Microdosing helped me get out of the pit of my worst depressive episode, a three year long episode, enough to start working on my mental health.

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Can Paceshroomies send to me in UK?

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Just ran an online search on his name and came across his website; pretty well educated. thank you for sharing.

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Absolutely, his offerings extend to global delivery, prioritizing complete confidentiality for individuals valuing their privacy.

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This channel has the weirdest advertisements in the comments.

Answer 10

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

Comments

Thank you, I am taking all of it very hard.

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Thanks, sending you good vibes

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That does not mean anything… anyone who likes this does not know grief, they are virtue signaling because both of you are narcissists that want attention as if you were good decent humans while in reality you do nothing for people that are in actual grief.

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❤❤❤❤thank you ❤❤❤

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Oh, that's beautiful, thank you, good soul

Answer 11

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

Comments

Sincerest condolences. I will be thinking of you.

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Condolences to you

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❤

Answer 12

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 13

Hollyhocks are blooming like crazy in my garden. Every time I walk by them, I think of my Mom. When I was a little girl, she told me they were her favorite flower. I'm not sure they really were her overall favorite, but in that moment they were, and hollyhocks always take me right back there.

Answer 14

Dr. O'Connor, your cheerfulness is infectious! May I also live with joy amidst the consciousness of death ❤️

PS Dr. Huberman, please issue a trigger warning at the start of the content that su*cide is mentioned. Very helpful conversation but others might be triggered negatively.

More power to both of you!

Answer 15

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.

Comments

Thank You so much for the love and support for late husband. Thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made. Others will tell u to get a dog, or try again at love, but they don’t full understand what is happening. My profession was not health care, yet cared for my wife who also suffered a lot. The coldness of the hands when they pass away, the terror and horror we have experienced, I don’t know who can help with this? While Andrew and Mary were writing books, we were holding hands. I’ve tried to move forward, and ya get more pain.

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I hope you can get better, my son died, and a couple of months later, my soul dog, that held me through, it's incredibly hard to get through, you'll never forget, because you loved, but maybe, you'll find a new purpose, that holds you true

Answer 16

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 17

I lost my 11 year old daughter in 2013. The point at which she was gone longer than she was here has been a hard thing to sit with. It seemed like just yesterday that she passed but that her life was so long and full. How can that be? I live in beautiful San Diego and her death was on June 19th and it also feels terrible that the sun shines on that day even though it’s always shining here anyways. I have found that I sit alone in my grief mostly because I know others have loss and I don’t want anyone to feel like theirs isn’t important if I’m outwardly crying about my own. So much to unpack, I know. Thank you for doing an episode on this topic. I’m having to digest it in small doses but will get through it all. Much love to you and keeping science real. ❤

Answer 18

Dr. O'Connor has a brilliant mind, such deep empathy, and a passion for this very sensitive topic. It was an honor to listen to her, learn from her, and to understand the complexities of the grieving process. Thank you Dr. Huberman for always bringing the best of the best to your podcast. As a psychologist myself, I appreciate all the "continuing education" I can get...just wish I got credit for it:)

Answer 19

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 20

Thank you Andrew for bringing this guest and your team for putting this out. Just finalized my divorce 2 weeks ago so this came at the perfect time as I'm grappling with grief and healing...it's exactly what I'm looking for. Sending love to everyone who is suffering