Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart

Dr. Mike Hart

Hart2Heart is the show where Dr. Mike Hart breaks down evidence-based health, longevity, performance, and modern medicine without the fluff. Each episode explores practical, evidence-based strategies for improving your life, including hormone health, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, supplements, exercise, sunlight, psychedelics, and smarter medication use. The goal is simple: help you understand what actually works so you can make better decisions for your health. The show also looks at the bigger picture, including how public health policy and politics influence personal well-being, and what you can do to take back control. If you want clear, actionable, no-BS conversations about living healthier, performing better, and thinking for yourself, this podcast is for you.

  1. May 28

    #223 How I Increased My VO2 Max at 41 With the Norwegian 4x4 Protocol

    The host explains how he raised his estimated VO2 max in 2026 in his 40s, emphasizing that the biggest driver was structured hard training with progressive overload, not "hacks" like peptides, supplements, sauna, red light, or ketones. After years of mostly zone 2 cardio (under ~124 bpm) plus weekly MMA, he shifted to one zone 2 session, one Norwegian 4x4 VO2 max workout, and one MMA session weekly. He defines VO2 max and details the 4x4 protocol (4 minutes hard/3 minutes easy for 4 rounds plus brief warmup/cooldown), using a COROS heart rate monitor to track significant zone 5 time. Starting at 8.0 mph, he increased treadmill speed by 0.1 mph weekly to 9.3 mph, discussing deload weeks, fatigue limits, body weight changes, footwear, sauna frequency, and mixed views on supplements like beta-alanine, beetroot, and ketones.   Norwegian 4x4 Protocol https://www.myworkout.com/en/4x4-intervals VO2 Max / Zone 2 Cardio https://health.clevelandclinic.org/zone-2-cardio Stats Canada VO2 Max Percentile Table https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2019010/article/00002/tbl/tbl02-eng.htm Oura Ring https://ouraring.com/ COROS Heart Rate Monitor https://coros.com/heart-rate-monitor Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper / Hyper Pro https://freakathlete.co/products/hyper-pro HOKA Clifton 10 https://www.hoka.com/en/ph/clifton-10-run-smooth/ Nike Zoom Fly https://www.nike.com/ph/w/nike-zoom-fly-running-shoes-37v7jz7oc5azy7ok Post-Exercise Sauna Bathing Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16877041/ Urolithin A https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2788244 Beetroot / Dietary Nitrate https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/nutrition/supplements/group_a/performance-supplements2/beetroot-juicenitrate Ketone-IQ https://ketone.com/ Beta-Hydroxybutyrate / BHB Ketones https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493179/ L-Citrulline https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ExerciseAndAthleticPerformance-HealthProfessional/ Creatine https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ExerciseAndAthleticPerformance-HealthProfessional/ Beta-Alanine https://examine.com/supplements/beta-alanine/ MOTS-c https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9905433/ Cardarine / GW501516 https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-issues-alert-gw501516 Brady Holmer https://www.bradyholmer.com/ Hart2Heart Episode with Brady Holmer https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DxQVb0Mkah57ZgHbWmWUy   Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to the Hart2Heart Podcast 00:33 VO2 Max Story Setup 01:27 Baseline Training Split 02:58 What VO2 Max Means 05:10 Why Add Structure 06:01 Norwegian 4x4 Explained 06:49 Starting Speeds Recovery 08:07 Zone 5 Targets 10:55 Tracking Heart Rate 12:23 Estimating VO2 Max 14:37 Zone 2 And MMA Role 17:20 Bodyweight And Running 19:46 Shoes Sauna Supplements 24:44 Progressive Overload Plan 29:34 Deloads Plateaus Mindset 31:29 Final Takeaways Encouragement   The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health, longevity, and peak performance. This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise protocols, leveraging sunlight, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals — using medications only when absolutely necessary. Beyond health science, we explore the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being. Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary (Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen). If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this podcast is for you.We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being.   Connect with Dr. Mike Hart Instagram: @drmikehart Twitter: @drmikehart Facebook: @drmikehart

    35 min
  2. May 21

    #222 Peptides, Hormones & Longevity with Dr. Ksenia Petrushkina

    Dr. Ksenia Petrushkina joins Dr. Mike Hart for a deep dive into regenerative medicine, peptides, hormones, IV therapies, and longevity. They discuss what conventional medicine and health influencers often get wrong about prevention-focused care, while exploring topics like NAD+, glutathione, GLP-1s, gut health, skin aging, mitochondrial health, BPC-157, TB-500, IGF-1, and peptide safety. Dr. Ksenia also shares why testing, inflammation, absorption, and overall health matter before using peptides or other optimization treatments. Dr. Ksenia Petrushkina is a regenerative medicine practitioner based in Aventura, Florida, and part owner of Ideal Medical and Wellness. Her work focuses on hormones, peptides, IV therapies, stem cells, and longevity, with a background in biopharmaceutical science and cancer research. She brings a prevention-focused, mechanism-based perspective to patient care, especially around inflammation, gut health, metabolic function, peptide safety, and age-related optimization. Dr. Ksenia Miami Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.kseniamiami/](https://www.instagram.com/dr.kseniamiami/) Ideal Medical and Wellness https://idealmedwell.com/](https://idealmedwell.com/) Tadalafil / Cialis https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604008.html](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604008.html) PT-141 / Bremelanotide [https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619054.html](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619054.html) GHK-Cu copper peptide https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6073405/](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6073405/) Tretinoin / Retin-A https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682437.html](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682437.html) NAD+ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7963035/](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7963035/) Nicotinamide Riboside / NR https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6611812/](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6611812/) Tru Niagen [https://www.truniagen.com/](https://www.truniagen.com/) Glutathione https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4684116/](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4684116/) GLP-1 drugs https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss) Tirzepatide https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a622044.html](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a622044.html) BPC-157 https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/bpc-157-peptide-prohibited/](https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/bpc-157-peptide-prohibited/) TB-500 / Thymosin beta-4 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22074294/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22074294/) Melanotan II https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melanotan-ii](https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melanotan-ii) IGF-1 test https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/igf-1-insulin-like-growth-factor-1-test/](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/igf-1-insulin-like-growth-factor-1-test/) Tesamorelin https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611035.html](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611035.html)   Thymosin Alpha-1 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7747025/](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7747025/) SS-31 / Elamipretide https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11816484/](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11816484/) Urolithin A https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35050355/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35050355/) Coenzyme Q10 / CoQ10 https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/coenzyme-q10](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/coenzyme-q10) Pancreatic enzymes https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604035.html](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604035.html) Psyllium husk https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601104.html](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601104.html)   Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to the Hart2Heart Podcast 00:38 Preventive Medicine Debate 03:03 Low Dose Cialis Basics 05:03 Prostate Cancer Link 08:18 ED Alternatives PT-141 11:52 Skin Aging Essentials 12:19 GHK-Cu Dosing Risks 15:59 Copper Uglies Explained 19:47 NAD Boosting Options 24:33 NR Infusions Trend 27:38 Glutathione and Thyroid 31:58 Stopping Levothyroxine 33:34 Glutathione Precursors Limits 34:58 Gut Protocol NAD GLP1 35:59 Tirzepatide Microdosing Guide 38:18 Glutathione Injection Protocol 40:47 BPC 157 Cancer Myth 43:28 BPC TB500 Injury Cycles 45:13 Melanotan II Skin Risks 46:50 IGF1 Aging Tradeoffs 49:16 Safest GH Secretagogue 50:05 Underrated Thymosin Alpha 52:35 Mitochondria Peptides SS31 55:00 MITC and AMPK Hype 56:36 Urolithin A and CoQ10 01:00:36 GLP1 Supplements and Labs 01:02:39 Wrap Up and Where to Find   The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health, longevity, and peak performance. This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise protocols, leveraging sunlight, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals — using medications only when absolutely necessary. Beyond health science, we explore the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being. Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary  (Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as  Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen). If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this podcast is for you.We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being. Connect with Dr. Mike Hart Instagram: @drmikehart Twitter: @drmikehart Facebook: @drmikehart

    1h 3m
  3. May 14

    #221 Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation: Causes, Biomarkers, and How to Lower It

    The episode explains that inflammation is a necessary survival mechanism, with acute inflammation supporting healing, while chronic inflammation drives chronic disease. It outlines major contributors to chronic inflammation including visceral fat (with fasting insulin as a proxy for insulin resistance), poor sleep and sleep apnea, ultra-processed foods, sedentary behavior, overtraining, chronic psychological stress, poor oral health, gut dysbiosis/barrier issues, smoking, alcohol, pollution, autoimmune disease, and chronic infection. The host reviews biomarkers to discuss with a physician such as high-sensitivity CRP, ESR, ferritin, WBC and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, fasting insulin, ApoB, omega-3 index/omega-6:omega-3 ratio, and homocysteine. Chronic inflammation is linked to cardiovascular disease, depression/anhedonia, brain fog, autoimmune disease risk, cancer mechanisms, skin aging, erectile dysfunction, and chronic pain. Treatment focuses on lifestyle (notably treating sleep apnea, sleep optimization, fat loss, exercise, oral health, omega-3 intake, sauna, stress regulation, circadian rhythm), selected supplements (vitamin D if deficient, curcumin, boswellia, ginger, garlic, olive oil polyphenols, sulforaphane, magnesium/glycine, taurine, NAC, quercetin, probiotics, creatine), and brief discussion of drugs including GLP-1 agonists, colchicine, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and biologics.   Chronic inflammation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/ C-reactive protein test https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/c-reactive-protein-crp-test/ ESR blood test https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/erythrocyte-sedimentation-rate-esr/ Ferritin blood test https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/ferritin-blood-test/ Homocysteine test https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/homocysteine-test/ ApoB test https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24992-apolipoprotein-b-test Insulin resistance https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507839/ Obstructive sleep apnea https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000811.htm CPAP therapy https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001916.htm Sleep hygiene https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html Physical activity guidelines https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/adults.html Ultra-processed foods https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10831891/ Gum disease https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/about/gum-periodontal-disease.html Gut microbiome https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/gut-microbiome-what-you-need-to-know Fiber https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/fiber/ Autoimmune diseases https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html Inflammation and heart disease https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/inflammation-and-heart-disease Inflammation and depression https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4566946/ Cancer and chronic inflammation https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/chronic-inflammation Omega-3 supplements https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/omega3-supplements-what-you-need-to-know   Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to the Hart2Heart Podcast 00:58 Inflammation Basics 01:24 Acute Versus Chronic 03:29 Chronic Disease Link 03:52 Visceral Fat Driver 06:06 Sleep And Apnea 12:33 Food And Movement 16:02 Stress And Oral Health 18:17 Gut And Fiber 21:17 Toxins Autoimmune Infection 26:05 Inflammation Biomarkers 27:13 Inflammation Blood Markers 28:37 Ferritin Iron Balance 30:07 Metabolic Cardio Labs 32:08 Omega 3 Index Insights 34:07 Homocysteine Risks 34:58 Why Inflammation Matters 41:07 Lifestyle Fixes 46:24 Supplement Options 54:36 Medication Overview 57:36 Final Takeaways   The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health, longevity, and peak performance. This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise protocols, leveraging sunlight, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals — using medications only when absolutely necessary. Beyond health science, we explore the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being. Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary  (Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as  Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen). If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this podcast is for you.We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being. Connect with Dr. Mike Hart Instagram: @drmikehart Twitter: @drmikehart Facebook: @drmikehart

    58 min
  4. May 7

    #220 Wnt vs DHT: Understanding Androgenic Alopecia and the Top Treatments to Slow Hair Loss

    In this solo episode on androgenic alopecia, the host explains that hair loss is slow and progressive, driven largely by genetics and DHT-mediated miniaturization of follicles across the anagen, catagen, and telogen cycle, and stresses early detection using periodic photos of the temples, hairline/vertex, and crown. He frames hair growth as a "battle" between Wnt signaling (promotes growth and anagen entry via stem cell activation) and DHT signaling (suppresses Wnt and increases inhibitors like DKK, TGF-beta, and PGD2), noting advanced loss involves inflammation, fibrosis, and irreversible follicle loss. He reviews contributors like poor scalp blood flow, iron deficiency (most evidence), possible zinc/B12/folate deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and insulin resistance, then covers treatments: finasteride (oral and topical) and dutasteride as DHT blockers with potential systemic side effects, plus minoxidil and microneedling (home vs professional) as key options, with add-ons like ketoconazole shampoo, PRP, red light, and cautions about anabolic steroids and high-dose testosterone increasing DHT pressure.   Hair loss diagnosis and treatment https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/diagnosis-treat Androgenetic alopecia https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/androgenetic-alopecia/ DHT and WNT signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29549490/ Finasteride https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698016.html Topical finasteride https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6609098/ FDA warning on compounded topical finasteride https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/fda-alerts-health-care-providers-compounders-and-consumers-potential-risks-associated-compounded Post-finasteride syndrome https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35983808/ Dutasteride https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603001.html Minoxidil https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/diagnosis-treat Microneedling for hair loss https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23960389/ Ketoconazole shampoo https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31858672/ Topical caffeine https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39997270/ Pumpkin seed oil https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24864154/ PRP for hair loss https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30882509/ Red light / low-level light therapy https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8906269/ Stem cells / exosomes for hair growth https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12433634/ Iron, zinc, B12, and folate deficiencies https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6380979/ Thyroid testing https://medlineplus.gov/thyroidtests.html Insulin resistance / metabolic syndrome https://medlineplus.gov/metabolicsyndrome.html Testosterone / TRT https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605020.html Tretinoin https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682437.html Anastrozole / Arimidex https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a696018.html Anabolic steroids https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/anabolic-steroids   Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to the Hart2Heart Podcast 00:56 What Is Androgenic Alopecia 02:17 Hair Follicle Life Cycle 03:55 Miniaturization and Early Detection 06:51 DHT Basics and Other Causes 09:27 WNT Versus DHT Explained 13:10 Nutrients Thyroid and Insulin 16:26 Finasteride Benefits and Risks 19:21 Topical Finasteride and Dutasteride 25:01 Minoxidil Growth Booster 27:19 Microneedling for WNT Activation 30:21 Extra Treatments and Add Ons 37:04 Testosterone TRT and Steroids 40:16 Wrap Up and Key Takeaways   The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health, longevity, and peak performance. This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise protocols, leveraging sunlight, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals — using medications only when absolutely necessary. Beyond health science, we explore the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being. Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary  (Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as  Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen). If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this podcast is for you.We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being. Connect with Dr. Mike Hart Instagram: @drmikehart Twitter: @drmikehart Facebook: @drmikehart

    41 min
  5. Apr 30

    #219 Dr. Allen Frances on AI Chatbots, Mental Health Risks, Privacy, and the Overdiagnosis of Autism

    Dr. Allen Frances discusses how AI chatbots can provide effective support for everyday stress and mild symptoms, with tens of millions using them, but warns they can be dangerous for vulnerable groups—especially the very young, the very old, the socially isolated, and people with severe mental illness—potentially contributing to psychosis, suicide, or eating disorders. He argues harm is driven by chatbots being programmed to be pleasing and validating to maximize screen time, creating dependency and "echo chambers," and highlights major privacy risks and manipulation potential given extensive data collection and weak safeguards. Frances advocates a hybrid model where therapists and patients train chatbots as assistants aligned with treatment goals, and cautions about industry profit motives, limited regulation, scams, political propaganda, and broader societal risks. He also explains autism's overdiagnosis since DSM-IV's expansion (Asperger's/autism spectrum) and describes ADHD and autism as current fad diagnoses amplified by services and social media.   Dr. Allen Frances is a psychiatrist, author, and leading voice on psychiatric diagnosis, mental health, and the risks of overmedicalization. He is widely known for his work on the DSM-IV and for his book Saving Normal, which challenges the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of everyday life struggles. In this episode, he joins Dr. Mike Hart to break down the growing impact of AI chatbots on mental health, therapy, privacy, and clinical care. He explains when chatbot support may be helpful, why vulnerable users can be harmed, how AI could reshape psychotherapy, and why privacy with chatbots may be an illusion. He also discusses the overdiagnosis of autism and ADHD, the role of social media in self-diagnosis, and why false labels can change how people see themselves and their future. Books & Articles Saving Normal — Allen Frances Allen Frances mentions his book near the end of the episode. https://www.harpercollins.com/products/saving-normal-allen-frances Allen Frances — Psychiatric Times Articles He mentions his columns in Psychiatric Times about chatbots and psychiatry. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/authors/allen-frances-md 1984 — George Orwell Referenced when comparing AI chatbots to "Big Brother." https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/326569/1984-by-george-orwell-with-a-foreword-by-thomas-pynchon/ AI Tools & Companies Mentioned ChatGPT / OpenAI Discussed throughout the episode as a major AI chatbot example. https://chatgpt.com/ Claude / Anthropic Mentioned as one of the safer chatbot companies. https://www.anthropic.com/ Grok / xAI Mentioned during the discussion on chatbot safety. https://x.ai/grok Character.AI Mentioned as an AI companion/chatbot platform. https://character.ai/ Replika Mentioned as another AI companion/chatbot app. https://replika.com/ Signal Mentioned during the privacy and encryption discussion. https://signal.org/ TikTok Mentioned during the discussion of autism, ADHD, and self-diagnosis trends. https://www.tiktok.com/ AI Regulation & News References EU AI Act Mentioned during the discussion of Europe's stronger AI regulation. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/regulatory-framework-ai Australia Social Media Age Restrictions Referenced when discussing age limits and children's chatbot/social media exposure. https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions Kaiser Mental Health Workers AI Strike Mentioned during the discussion of therapists being concerned about AI replacing care. https://apnews.com/article/kaiser-mental-health-therapists-ai-2d05d37fd8be8f05491f0f15d97a78af Psychiatry, Diagnosis & Mental Health References DSM-5-TR Referenced in the discussion of DSM-IV, Asperger's, autism spectrum, and diagnostic expansion. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm Autism Spectrum Disorder — NIMH Useful support link for the autism overdiagnosis discussion. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd ADHD — CDC Referenced during the discussion of ADHD as a common modern diagnosis. https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/ SSRIs — FDA Mentioned during the discussion about antidepressant prescribing. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-ssris-information Hippocratic Oath Referenced through the idea of "first do no harm." https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hippocratic-oath Historical / Therapy References ELIZA Chatbot Referenced as the first chatbot and an early example of people bonding with machine-generated responses. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/365153.365168 Carl Rogers Mentioned because ELIZA was designed to imitate a Rogerian-style psychotherapist. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carl-Rogers   Show Notes   00:00 Welcome to the Hart2Heart Podcast 00:49 Benefits vs Dangers 01:52 Engagement and Validation Trap 03:21 Who Is Most at Risk 04:19 When Chatbots Help 05:43 Hybrid Therapy Future 06:52 How to Train Assistants 08:47 Therapists Must Adapt 09:33 Healthcare Replacement Nightmare 11:15 Human Touch vs AI Limits 12:41 Suicide Risk and Lawsuits 14:43 SSRIs and Primary Care 16:56 Everyday Use and Vulnerables 19:12 Regulation and Kids 22:03 AI Power and Resource Costs 23:43 Deepfake Psychiatrists 24:30 Most Dystopian Takeover 25:50 AI Dependency Dangers 27:11 Why No One Pauses AI 28:41 EU Regulation Falling Behind 29:36 AI Hacking Breakthrough 30:38 Chatbot Privacy Myth 32:53 Protecting Yourself Online 35:26 Echo Chambers Manipulation 37:17 Scams Deepfakes Politics 40:44 Autism Overdiagnosis DSM 44:13 ADHD Fad Diagnosis Risks 45:53 Wrap Up Resources   The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health, longevity, and peak performance. This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise protocols, leveraging sunlight, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals — using medications only when absolutely necessary. Beyond health science, we explore the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being. Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary  (Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as  Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen). If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this podcast is for you.We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being. Connect with Dr. Mike Hart Instagram: @drmikehart Twitter: @drmikehart Facebook: @drmikehart

    47 min
  6. Apr 23

    #218 Lab-Grown Meat, Grocery Prices, and the Real Drivers of Food Inflation in Canada (with the Food Professor)

    In a wide-ranging interview, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois ("The Food Professor") discusses whether lab-grown (cellular) meat is overhyped, citing consumer acceptance, cost, and labeling as key barriers, though he found lab-grown chicken indistinguishable in taste and notes potential for nutrient customization. The conversation then turns to Canadian food inflation, arguing there is little evidence grocers are gouging consumers via higher margins, though grocers pressure suppliers through fees, affecting prices and supply-chain discipline. Charlebois contends food inflation is largely structural and policy-driven, pointing to trade barriers, carbon tax impacts, logistics, supply management, counter-tariffs, and the GST holiday's inflationary effect. He proposes solutions focused on competition, tax relief, logistics investment, and policy reform, and closes with a cautious view of ultra-processed food rhetoric, emphasizing consumer information over bans.   Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a professor of food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University and director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab, where his work focuses on food distribution, food policy, food security, and food safety. Widely known as "The Food Professor," he is one of Canada's most recognized voices on food inflation, grocery pricing, supply chains, and the future of food. His research has been featured in major outlets including The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Globe and Mail, and he also hosts The Food Professor Podcast. In this episode, he breaks down what's really driving food prices in Canada, whether grocers are being unfairly blamed, the debate around lab-grown meat, and how ultra-processed foods and GLP-1 drugs are reshaping the food industry.   Sylvain / The Food Professor The Food Professor on X — https://x.com/FoodProfessor Sylvain Charlebois on LinkedIn — https://ca.linkedin.com/in/thefoodprofessor The Food Professor Podcast — https://the-food-professor.simplecast.com/ Food Tech / Salmon AquaBounty — https://aquabounty.com/our-salmon/why-aquabounty-salmon FDA AquAdvantage Salmon Fact Sheet — https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/aquadvantage-salmon/aquadvantage-salmon-fact-sheet Sustainable Blue — https://www.sustainableblue.com/ Canada Food Policy / Data Canada Grocery Code of Conduct — https://canadacode.org/ Code of Conduct Page — https://canadacode.org/code/code-of-conduct/ Health Canada Front-of-Package Nutrition Symbol — https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/nutrition-labelling/front-package.html Statistics Canada Household Income — https://www.statcan.gc.ca/hub-carrefour/quality-life-qualite-vie/prosperity-prosperite/household-income-revenu-menage-eng.htm CUSMA — https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/cusma-aceum/index.aspx?lang=eng GST/HST Holiday Page — https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/child-and-family-benefits/gst-hst-holiday-tax-break.html David Dodge, Bank of Canada Profile — https://www.bankofcanada.ca/profile/david-dodge/ Companies / Brands Mentioned Loblaw Companies — https://loblaw.ca/ Sobeys — https://www.sobeys.com/ Walmart Canada — https://www.walmartcanada.ca/ CBC Organization Profile — https://federal-organizations.canada.ca/profil.php?OrgID=CBC&lang=en Johnson & Johnson — https://www.jnj.com/ McDonald's Canada — https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca.html GLP-1 / Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic Canada — https://www.ozempic.ca/en_ca.html Wegovy Canada — https://www.wegovy.ca/en_ca.html Media / Podcast Reference The Joe Rogan Experience — https://open.spotify.com/show/4rOoJ6Egrf8K2IrywzwOMk   Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to the Hart2Heart Podcast  00:37 Lab Meat Hype Cycle 01:50 How Cultured Meat Works 03:06 Acceptance and Cost Barriers 04:46 Taste Test and Nutrition Tweaks 06:54 Vegans Vegetarians and Labeling 14:53 Canada Food Inflation Debate 15:57 Grocers Fees and Supplier Squeeze 17:40 Policy Roots and Middle Class Squeeze 21:06 Fixes Without More Spending 23:27 Supply Management Price Premiums 24:51 Politics Crises and Inflation Spending 26:53 Inflation And Taxes 27:38 Conservative Policy Impact 28:19 Grocer Margins And Manufacturing 30:05 GST Holiday Backfire 33:18 Media Blind Spots 35:05 Counter Tariffs Price Ripple 37:41 Carney Versus Poilievre 42:53 Media Subsidies And CBC 44:39 Ultra Processed Food Debate 48:54 Addiction Obesity And GLP1 51:30 Regulation Tradeoffs Wrap Up 52:51 Where To Follow Closing   The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health, longevity, and peak performance. This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise protocols, leveraging sunlight, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals — using medications only when absolutely necessary. Beyond health science, we explore the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being. Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary  (Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as  Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen). If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this podcast is for you.We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being. Connect with Dr. Mike Hart Instagram: @drmikehart Twitter: @drmikehart Facebook: @drmikehart

    54 min
  7. Apr 16

    #217 Dr. Russell Kennedy on Anxiety as a Body Alarm: Childhood Patterns, Worry, Somatic Healing

    Dr. Mike Hart interviews Dr. Russell Kennedy about chronic anxiety as a childhood safety adaptation that never turns off, driven more by a body-based "alarm" than by thinking. Kennedy explains why understanding anxiety and talk-based cognitive approaches often have limited effect because subcortical systems communicate through feeling; alarm sensations trigger the mind to generate worries, which can become dopamine-reinforced and addictive. He discusses sensitivity (often cited as 15–20% of the population), modern stressors like smartphones and social media reducing discomfort tolerance, and high-functioning anxiety in high achievers and physicians, with sleep as a key regulation marker. Kennedy emphasizes reconnecting mind and body and adult self with younger self using somatic techniques (body scanning, hand placement, "sensation without explanation," and the SHOULD acronym), notes trauma can occur without an overtly traumatic life, links dysregulated autonomic states to varied symptoms, and shares rapid tools like the physiological sigh and alternate nostril breathing, plus his "Sanity" app and AnxietyMD resources. Dr. Russell Kennedy is a physician, author, and anxiety expert whose work explores the deeper roots of chronic anxiety, especially the role of childhood stress, nervous system dysregulation, and the body's stored alarm response. In this episode, he explains why anxiety is not just a thinking problem but a feeling problem, how worry becomes a coping pattern that keeps people stuck, why high performers often live in a state of hidden dysregulation, and how self-connection, somatic awareness, and better sleep can help break the cycle. Through a blend of clinical experience, neuroscience, and personal insight, Kennedy helps listeners better understand where anxiety comes from and what it actually takes to heal it at the root.   Official site: https://www.dr-russ.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theanxietymd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrRussellKennedyTHEANXIETYMD   Therapies Mentioned Internal Family Systems (IFS): https://ifs-institute.com/ Somatic Experiencing / somatic therapy: https://traumahealing.org/ Physiological sigh: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter/breathwork-protocols-for-health-focus-stress Alternate nostril breathing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/alternate-nostril-breath   Pain / Neuroplasticity Resources Alan Gordon / Pain Psychology Center: https://painpsychologycenter.com/our-team Pain Reprocessing Therapy: https://www.painreprocessingtherapy.com/   Experts Mentioned David Goggins: https://davidgoggins.com/ Joseph LeDoux: https://www.joseph-ledoux.com/ Dr. Ethan Russo: https://ethanrusso.org/ Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency paper (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15159679/   Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to the Hart2Heart Podcast 01:19 Anxiety Starts in the Body 03:17 Sensitivity and Modern Stress 05:58 The Dopamine Worry Loop 08:08 Self Connection Over Self Punishment 09:09 High Functioning Anxiety and Burnout 12:41 Redefining Success Internally 17:19 Discipline vs Dysregulation 21:46 Mind Body Child Separation 27:10 Finding the Alarm Sensation 29:16 Somatic Steps to Soothe Alarm 33:18 Why We Should Say Alarm 35:07 Medicine Limits and SSRIs 35:36 Medicine Misses Root Causes 36:57 Trauma Behind Weird Symptoms 38:58 Fibro IBS and Nervous System 42:31 Forgiveness and Doctor Burnout 50:51 Biohacking Anxiety Spiral 56:56 Somatic Healing and Spirit 01:02:50 Psychedelics Need Foundation 01:03:39 Physiological Sigh Tools 01:06:24 App Plug and Farewell   The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health, longevity, and peak performance. This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise protocols, leveraging sunlight, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals — using medications only when absolutely necessary. Beyond health science, we explore the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being. Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary  (Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as  Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen). If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this podcast is for you.We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being.   Connect with Dr. Mike Hart Instagram: @drmikehart Twitter: @drmikehart Facebook: @drmikehart

    1h 8m
  8. Apr 2

    #216 VO2 Max, Zone 2 Training, HRV Wearables, Sauna, and Evidence-Based Performance Supplements with Brady Holmer

    Dr. Mike Hart interviews elite runner Brady Holmer about endurance training, VO2 max physiology, and common misconceptions. Holmer explains that zone 2 builds the aerobic base and enables high training volume with less fatigue, notes heart-rate zones are ideally defined by lactate thresholds, and says he primarily uses perceived exertion rather than lactate or heart rate during training. He advises against guiding workouts by wearable HRV scores, arguing accurate HRV requires standardized morning measurements and that wearable data can create a nocebo effect; trends may be informative, but subjective feel should come first. They discuss polarized vs pyramidal training and typical 80/20 intensity distributions, effective session durations, mechanisms limiting VO2 max (central vs peripheral), and why Norwegian 4x4 intervals work by maximizing time near 85–90% max heart rate. They cover breathing/nose breathing, inspiratory muscle training, sauna/hot baths as performance adjuncts, nutrition timing of carbohydrates, and supplements including beetroot, beta-alanine, urolithin A, and post-exercise ketones. Brady Holmer is an endurance-focused performance expert and elite runner whose work explores the science and practice of aerobic fitness, VO2 max, recovery, and smarter cardio training. In this episode, he explains how zone 2 training builds the foundation for endurance, why HRV and wearable data should be interpreted carefully, and how protocols like Norwegian 4x4 can improve performance when used in the right context. Through a blend of long-term training experience, research literacy, and practical coaching insight, Holmer helps listeners better understand how to train harder, recover smarter, and think more clearly about what actually improves cardiovascular fitness.   Training & Cardio Zone 2 Cardio Overview (Cleveland Clinic): https://health.clevelandclinic.org/zone-2-cardio   Lactate / Threshold-Based Training Threshold zones review (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6537749/   Lactate-guided threshold interval training (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10000870/   Norwegian 4x4 Classic VO2 max paper (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17414804/   4x4 protocol heart-rate response study (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7399937/   Polarized Training Meta-analysis / review (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38717713/   Older landmark paper (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24550842/   Pyramidal Training Pyramidal vs. polarized study (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9299127/   HRV & Wearables   Marco Altini Official site: https://www.marcoaltini.com/ HRV4Training: https://www.hrv4training.com/   HRV Measurement / Use HRV4Training article with Marco Altini: https://www.hrv4training.com/blog2/heart-rate-variability-hrv-training-with-dr-marco-altini-how-to-exercise-using-hrv   Oura Ring Official: https://ouraring.com/   WHOOP Official: https://www.whoop.com/   Experts & Writing   Dr. Andy Galpin Official site: https://www.andygalpin.com/   Brady Holmer Substack profile: https://substack.com/@bradyholmer   Physiologically Speaking: https://www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/   Supplements & Recovery Exercise / Performance Supplements NIH overview: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ExerciseAndAthleticPerformance-HealthProfessional/   Creatine Cleveland Clinic overview: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17674-creatine   Beta-Alanine NIH consumer overview: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ExerciseAndAthleticPerformance-Consumer/   ISSN position stand (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4501114/   Beetroot / Dietary Nitrate Review (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4008816/   Meta-analysis (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23580439/   Urolithin A Mitopure / official: https://www.mitopure.com/   Altitude training camp study (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12628386/   Exogenous Ketones Ketone-IQ official: https://ketone.com/   Post-exercise ketone monoester and EPO study (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36449571/   Post-exercise ketones improved endurance training adaptations study (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41757674/   Show Notes 00:00 HRV Training Myth 00:59 Zone Two Benefits 02:11 Finding True Zone Two 03:59 RPE Over Wearables 06:27 HRV Done Right 12:06 80 20 Training Split 15:23 Zone Two Session Length 18:37 Cardio Adaptation Science 24:03 Norwegian 4x4 Explained 30:30 Sports Versus Machines 32:54 Leg Day Timing Tips 34:58 Best Leg Exercises 38:21 Nordic Curl Reality Check 39:11 Portable Nordic Setup Tips 39:51 Biggest Running Mistake 40:18 Nose Breathing Zone Two 42:16 Breathing Tools And Myths 43:08 Inspiratory Muscle Training 44:51 How Much Benefit Really 46:27 Sauna For VO2 Max 48:35 Heat Mimics Altitude 50:59 Sauna Fertility Debate 52:54 Red Light Therapy Reality 54:30 Carbs Fuel The Work 56:25 Timing Carbs Around Training 57:52 Best Carb Food Choices 59:41 Supplements For Cardio 01:00:20 Creatine Beta Alanine Beetroot 01:02:16 Urolithin A Breakthrough 01:05:01 Ketones After Training 01:07:31 Other Supplements And Caffeine 01:09:07 SARMs Peptides And Doping 01:10:10 VO2 Max And Longevity 01:10:49 Wrap Up And Where To Follow   The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health, longevity, and peak performance. This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise protocols, leveraging sunlight, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals — using medications only when absolutely necessary. Beyond health science, we explore the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being. Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary  (Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as  Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen). If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this podcast is for you.We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being.   Connect with Dr. Mike Hart Instagram: @drmikehart Twitter: @drmikehart Facebook: @drmikehart

    1h 13m

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Hart2Heart is the show where Dr. Mike Hart breaks down evidence-based health, longevity, performance, and modern medicine without the fluff. Each episode explores practical, evidence-based strategies for improving your life, including hormone health, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, supplements, exercise, sunlight, psychedelics, and smarter medication use. The goal is simple: help you understand what actually works so you can make better decisions for your health. The show also looks at the bigger picture, including how public health policy and politics influence personal well-being, and what you can do to take back control. If you want clear, actionable, no-BS conversations about living healthier, performing better, and thinking for yourself, this podcast is for you.

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