In what ways can grief impact our physical health and how can we assist the grieving body?

Question

I have come across that bereavement can have other health consequences as well. Can you explore the effects of grief on someone's physical health, and explain how we can aid a grieving individual?

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 read this content. 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 this very important topic.

Comments

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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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...

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I’m glad you’re ok. Helping others is a way of healing, thanks for sharing something that can help others. I also experienced the same heart issue, after I experienced a violent crime with multiple losses and the police misidentified me, and held me at gunpoint with 7 armed policemen. I can no longer cry or show any emotion

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❤ ..so much loss in such a short period ... to get through it you are an inspiration .. I lost my mom, dad, and GF soulmate but it was over a 10 year period where the loss was cushioned some with time, love, and whatever new experiences and adventure the decade brought. Can't even imagine what that must have been like for you.

Answer 3

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.

Comments

I noticed the same thing, thank you for pointing that out.

Answer 4

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 5

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

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I'm sorry to hear that. One thing that helped me immensely was Julia Samuel's app - grief works. Lovely community and really helpful in working through your grief. I hope it helps you too.

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Community is everything.

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Back at you and anyone reading this ❤

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

Every time I think, "that was, hands down, the best Huberman podcast yet!" you manage to find another amazing guest with such profound and insightful information ❤ Thank you so much for sharing Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor's wisdom and compassion with us.

Comments

Thank you!

Answer 8

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 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

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.

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Its some kind of bot scam I see it everywhere. Initial comment and then a few different bot accounts say the same thing every time

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Another Marketing Spam Bot invents itself a following to make you believe it's lies.

Answer 10

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

Comments

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

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Me too.❤

Answer 11

guys I'm literally crying rn... was about to end it all last month after losing everything (job, relationship, savings). Found a book Manifest and Receive by Eva Hartley the same day through a big podcast. The quantum field chapter hit me so hard I couldn't sleep. Started applying the frequency techniques and I'm not even joking - within 9 days my ex reached out, got offered my dream job (150k+), and my anxiety completely disappeared. I never share personal stuff but I'd feel guilty keeping this secret when so many are struggling. The way Selene explains manifestation through quantum physics is EVERYTHING. If you're reading this, it's a sign from the universe. Trust me, understanding the science will change your entire reality. I'm living proof ✨

Answer 12

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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❤

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So sorry for your loss,

Answer 13

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 14

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 15

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

Answer 16

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 17

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 18

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

Answer 19

Unfortunately grief is a part of life, it can happen when we lose an opportunity we were really hoping for, or we lose a loved one/family member. I still haven't gotten over my mom passing... The important I learned was to never judge myself when these feelings come up and realize that I still have the ability to make beautiful memories while I'm here!

Answer 20

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.