The Emotional Biohack You Can’t Afford to Ignore
In 2012, I briefly contemplated leaving medicine. I felt I had wasted years learning a profession that seemed to have little interest in reversing disease. But instead of walking away from what I was passionate about, I decided to expand my sources of learning. That choice has served me well, helping me piece together the complex puzzle of restoring optimal health in others.
Since then, I have aligned myself with individuals I might never have considered earlier in my career. Most conferences I’ve attended in the last decade have brought together a mix of physicians and healthcare providers focused on the body. Yet, witnessing the mental health struggles that have intensified since COVID, I’ve been increasingly drawn to fields exploring the intricate world of thoughts and emotions. It’s become clear to me that most (if not all) diseases have an emotional origin story.
Just last week, I attended a psychotherapy conference in Washington, D.C., with thousands of attendees — primarily marriage and family therapists with master’s degrees and Ph.D.s. The keynote speakers included Esther Perel, William J Dohert Ph.D., and Dan Siegel, M.D. If you’re not familiar with their work, I encourage you to explore their books or podcasts.
Growing up in an era of political correctness, I was struck by how these thought leaders addressed today’s most contentious issues with fairness and integrity. Their goal was not to judge but to guide. Yet, they openly acknowledged the challenge we all face in managing our biases and emotional triggers.
It’s impossible to avoid the emotional charge of political and ideological divides. One marriage therapist shared that 10% of divorces today are attributed to differences in political beliefs. He even showed real-life counseling videos highlighting this phenomenon. Mixed political beliefs within families have become a significant source of strain — something I’ve also observed in families.
Consider this: In 1960, only 5% of people said they would be uncomfortable if their child married someone from the opposite political party. Today, that number has surged to 40-45%. In contrast, religious differences were the primary source of tension in the 1960s.
Why does this matter? Because your emotional state profoundly influences your health. Chronic negative emotions and unresolved trauma drive disease, no matter how well you eat, exercise, sleep, or supplement. While there’s much excitement about biohacking our biology, I argue that emotional regulation is the most potent biohack.
Mastering your emotional state isn’t just about managing stress—it’s about nurturing resilience, finding perspective, and fostering connection. Emotional well-being can be the ultimate key to long-term health.
So, as you navigate the inevitable challenges and triggers in your life, remember that emotional regulation may be the most significant investment you can make in your health. If you do not know where to start, I will give you a homework assignment this week: Start by taking note of every negative emotion you feel this week and ask yourself what thought triggered that emotion. This is the first seed I invite you to plant.
More on this to come.
BeBioFIT- Be Educated, Not Influenced.
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Grateful to be your physician guide.
Kevin Hoffarth MD, IFCMP
BioFITMedicine