Dr. Mark Hyman on Function Health & GLP-1 microdosing | E2334 · This Week in Startups summary

Key takeaways

The current healthcare system is largely reactive, neglecting early biomarkers such as insulin levels that could prevent serious diseases.
Function Health is empowering individuals with access to their biological data, leveraging technology, AI, and affordable testing to promote proactive health management.
Early detection through advanced diagnostics and continuous monitoring can revolutionize disease treatment and improve long-term outcomes.
AI models and large data sets are increasingly capable of outperforming traditional diagnostic methods, heralding a new era of data-driven healthcare.
Wearables and self-monitoring tools are valuable for detecting subtle health changes, influencing behavior, and enabling early intervention.
The use of GLP-1 therapies for weight loss is promising but must be approached carefully, always in conjunction with diet and exercise, and under proper medical advice.
Overdiagnosis and overprescription in mental health are significant issues; a biological and lifestyle-oriented approach may provide better outcomes.
Research into psychedelics like ketamine, ibogaine, and MDMA holds promise for mental health treatment, but requires careful, scientific validation.

Summary

Introduction to Function Health and Personal Healthcare Revolution

The podcast begins with Dr. Mark Hyman explaining the concept of Function Health, a movement aimed at democratizing healthcare and empowering individuals through access to their biological data. He emphasizes how traditional healthcare often neglects early warning markers like insulin levels and often costs a fortune. By leveraging technology, AI, and a comprehensive data approach, Function Health offers a new paradigm where individuals can take ownership and proactively manage their health.

The Flaws of the Current Healthcare System and the Need for Change

Hyman discusses the systemic issues within American healthcare—focusing on how most doctors do not utilize tech for decision-making, and how the current system is reactive rather than preventative. He highlights alarming statistics such as one in three Americans skipping doctor visits due to costs, and the vast prevalence of metabolic dysfunction and obesity. The conversation underscores the urgent need for a shift towards a more proactive, data-driven model that emphasizes prevention over treatment.

The Role and Impact of Function Health Products and Services

Hyman details the products and services offered by Function Health, including extensive biometric testing at affordable prices by partnering with labs like Quest. He describes the integration of wearable devices for ongoing monitoring and the importance of accessible, comprehensive health data. The platform aims to enable early detection of issues like high insulin, nutrient deficiencies, or cancer, facilitating timely interventions and helping people understand their health trajectories.

Advances in Diagnostics and Imaging Technologies

The discussion covers recent innovations such as full-body scans and multi-cancer early detection blood tests (like Galleri). These tools are becoming more affordable and accessible, allowing for better early detection of serious conditions. Dr. Hyman stresses that longitudinal imaging and biomarker data provide critical insights that can catch diseases early, drastically improving outcomes. The importance of AI and large data sets in interpreting this complex information is also highlighted.

The Future of AI and Big Data in Healthcare Decision-Making

Hyman emphasizes how AI and large language models are beginning to outperform doctors in certain diagnostics and decision support, with Harvard studies backing this. He talks about the necessity of guardrails to ensure safe, accurate use of AI. The conversation explores how AI can support both patients and clinicians by synthesizing massive data sets, leading to more personalized and effective healthcare.

The Potential of Wearables and Self-Monitoring Devices

The conversation covers the significance of wearables in detecting subtle health signals—such as early COVID symptoms—by monitoring HRV, skin temperature, and other metrics. These devices foster behavior change and early detection, giving individuals real-time insights into their health. Dr. Hyman shares his personal experiences and highlights how analytics from wearables can influence lifestyle choices.

Understanding and Regulating GLP-1 and Microdosing Therapies

The discussion shifts to the use of GLP-1 agonists for weight loss and metabolic health, including their risks, benefits, and the importance of proper medical guidance. Dr. Hyman cautions about microdosing and unregulated use, emphasizing that these drugs work best when combined with diet and exercise and should be used responsibly under medical supervision.

Addressing Overdiagnosis and Overprescription in Mental Health

Hyman critiques the overdiagnosis of mental illnesses and the overprescription of SSRIs and stimulants like Adderall. He advocates for a holistic approach that considers biological markers such as nutrient deficiencies and insulin resistance, which often underlie mental health issues—highlighting lifestyle, diet, and social factors as primary interventions.

Emerging Therapies and Psychedelics for Mental Health Crisis

Finally, the podcast explores promising research on psychedelics like ketamine, ibogaine, and MDMA for treating PTSD and depression. Hyman stresses the need for rigorous, scientific investigation before broad adoption, but remains optimistic about these substances potentially rewriting psychiatric treatment by promoting neuroplasticity and brain repair.

Show notes

This Week In Startups is made possible by:

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Today's show:

Your doctor almost certainly isn't testing your insulin. Dr. Mark Hyman sits down with Jason to explain the broken system that Function is fixing, and what 100 million biomarkers say about how sick America actually is.

Learn why insulin beats blood sugar as an early warning for TKTKTK. Why might "normal" lab ranges be unreliable? PLUS, how does an expert like Dr. Hyman feel about GLP-1s and psychedelics?

Guests:

Dr. Mark Hyman on X: https://x.com/drmarkhyman

Function: https://www.functionhealth.com/

Relevant Links:

The Dr. Hyman Show — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-hyman-show/id1382804627

Function pricing — https://www.functionhealth.com/pricing

Ezra — the full-body MRI company Function acquired https://ezra.com/

Galleri (GRAIL) — the multi-cancer early detection blood test — https://www.galleri.com/

Tufts / JACC study — the source of the "93% of Americans have metabolic dysfunction" — https://now.tufts.edu/2022/07/05/only-7-american-adults-have-good-cardiometabolic-health

American College of Cardiology — https://www.acc.org/

Dr. Jorge Plutzky — https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/jorge-plutzky-md

OpenEvidence — https://www.openevidence.com/

Stanford Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic — https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2022/11/metabolic-psychiatry.html

Stanford Medicine on the ibogaine findings → https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/01/ibogaine-ptsd.html

Texas SB 2308 — the $50M state investment in ibogaine trials — https://www.texastribune.org/2026/03/31/texas-ibogaine-research-clinical-trials-psychedelics/

Timestamps:

0:00 What Function actually is

6:43 Healthspan vs. sick care

10:16 Odoo - The all-in-one business platform. Your first app is free! Get started today at https://Odoo.com/twist

11:32 A $300 vitamin D test vs. a $10 one

18:08 Should a 25-year-old get a whole-body MRI?

20:42 Northwest Registered Agent - Got a new business idea? Northwest Registered Agent helps you bring it to life. Get a free domain, email, phone number, and more - with no purchase required! Learn more at https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twistdomain

24:23 Why medicine is still running on paper

25:41 The study where the chatbot beat the doctors

27:02 micro1, doctors in the loop, and why AI still needs guardrails

28:50 Wearables, records, and the CD-ROM problem

30:07 Rippling - Thanks to our partners at Rippling! Head to https://Rippling.ai/twist and get the only AI built to give you full visibility across your startup and take complex actions across your entire business.

32:51 The wearable that caught Jason's Covid

34:31 Alcohol, sugar, and why almost nobody tests your insulin

40:00 GLP-1s: Jason's 213-to-168 story

42:22 Microdosing GLP-1s, muscle loss, and "skinny fat"

48:48 Overdiagnosing mental illness: SSRIs, Adderall, and a lost decade

50:17 The biology underneath depression and anxiety

54:32 Psychedelics: ketamine, ibogaine, and the second revolution in psychiatry

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