Brain-First or Gut-First? Rethinking Parkinson’s Disease w/ Drs. Ray Dorsey & Michael Okun

Brain-First or Gut-First? Rethinking Parkinson’s Disease w/ Drs. Ray Dorsey & Michael Okun

Author: Dr. Mark Hyman October 8, 2025 Duration: 1:45:17
Today we tackle Parkinson’s as a preventable epidemic—not an inevitable fate. I’m joined on The Dr. Hyman Show by two of the field’s top neurologists, Drs. Ray Dorsey and Michael Okun, co-authors of The Parkinson’s Plan, to unpack why cases are exploding and what we can do about it right now. We look at how toxins drive disease, why Parkinson’s goes far beyond dopamine, and the early signs most people miss—plus what you can do today to protect your brain. And we connect the dots between environmental exposures—whether from food, water, or even recreational spaces—and the growing burden of neurological disease. Watch the full conversation here or listen wherever you get your podcasts. [YOUTUBE THUMBNAIL] We also explore: • How to spot early signs—like loss of smell—long before a diagnosis • Everyday ways to cut toxin exposures in your food, water, and home • Why Parkinson’s is a whole-body disease, and what that means for prevention • The kind of exercise that protects your brain and slows progression • Simple nutrient checks that can support medication and brain health Parkinson’s isn’t inevitable. Protecting brain health starts with small daily choices. These are steps you can take right now for yourself and your loved ones. With awareness and action, you can build resilience today and help shape a healthier future. View Show Notes From This Episode Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by BON CHARGE, PerfectAmino, Function Health, Timeline, Big Bold Health and Pique. Head to boncharge.com and use code DRMARK for 15% off your order. Go to bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 for 20% off your first order. Join today at FunctionHealth.com/Mark and use code HYMAN100 to get $100 toward your membership. Support essential mitochondrial health and save 20% on Mitopure. Visit timeline.com/drhyman to get 20% off today. Get 20% off HTB Immune Energy Chews at bigboldhealth.com and use code DRMARK20. Receive 20% off FOR LIFE + a free Starter Kit with a rechargeable frother and glass beaker at Piquelife com/Hyman.

Hosted by physician and functional medicine pioneer Dr. Mark Hyman, The Dr. Hyman Show is a conversation about reclaiming your well-being. Each episode digs into the interconnected systems that shape our health, moving beyond symptom management to address foundational causes. You’ll hear detailed discussions on nutrition, the roots of chronic disease, mental health strategies, and the science of longevity, all framed through a functional medicine lens. Dr. Hyman engages with leading experts and thinkers to challenge conventional wisdom on food policy and prevention, offering a practical and often provocative perspective. This podcast serves as a resource for anyone feeling lost in a healthcare system that can overlook root causes, providing actionable knowledge to make informed daily choices. Tune in for a deep, evidence-based exploration of how our bodies truly work, empowering you to reimagine your personal health potential through informed dialogue and discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Dr. Hyman Show
Podcast Episodes
Are You Secretly Dehydrated? Why a 1% Drop Kills Your Focus and Mood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:32
Hydration affects far more than thirst. Even mild dehydration can impact your focus, memory, mood, energy, and overall brain performance—yet most people walk through the day without realizing they’re under-hydrated. The…
The 5 Root Causes of Autoimmune Disease (And How to Start Healing) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:08
Autoimmune disease is often treated as something random, lifelong, and out of your control. But what if it’s not your body malfunctioning—what if it’s your immune system responding exactly the way it’s designed to, to so…
The Real Reason You Age (And How to Slow It Down) | Dr. Eric Verdin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:53
We tend to think of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s as separate problems. But what if they all stem from the same underlying process? On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I sit down with Dr. Eric Verdin, whose r…
6 Root Causes of Migraines (And How to Fix Them) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:40
Migraines aren’t just headaches and if you’ve ever had one, you know how debilitating they can be. But they’re not random, and they’re not just genetic. Migraines are a signal that something deeper is out of balance in y…
Feeding Kids Is Hard—Here’s What They Actually Need [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:27
Most parents are doing their best but the modern food environment is working against them. Between ultra-processed foods, constant marketing, and confusing nutrition advice, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what your c…
We Can Detect Cancer Years Earlier—So Why Aren’t We? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:14
Most of medicine is built around snapshots. You feel something, you test for it, and by the time you find it, you’re already behind. But what if the problem isn’t the test—it’s how we use it? In this episode, I sit down…
Can’t Fall or Stay Asleep? Your Sleep Questions Answered [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:40
Sleep is one of the most important and most overlooked drivers of your health. If you’re struggling to fall asleep, waking up at 2–4am, or getting a full night’s sleep but still feeling exhausted, your body is trying to…