
104. Hormones, Anxiety, and the Art of Mindful Eating: A Functional Approach to Well-Being
Anxiety RxShow Notes
Hey everyone, welcome back to The AnxietyRX Podcast! In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Megan Lyons, a functional medicine expert who specializes in endocrine health and nutrition.
Dr. Lyons opens up about her own journey with anxiety and hormonal imbalances, which were heavily tied to her high-achieving lifestyle. We dive into how our childhood experiences can shape the way we show up as adults, and explore the complex link between hormones and mental health.
We also talk about why taking a personalized approach to nutrition and lifestyle changes is so important for long-term healing.
Dr. Lyons makes a powerful case for looking at the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—when it comes to achieving real wellness.
It’s a great conversation, and I think you’ll find it really insightful. Tune in!
Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.
PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX
If you liked this conversation with Dr. Lyons, you can take a short quiz and receive a file with a useful guide, by clicking the link below:
https://form.typeform.com/to/DrqW4qlv?typeform-source=www.thelyonsshare.org
______________________________
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:33 - Dr. Lyons' Work
01:24 - Personal Journey into Functional Medicine
06:22 - Understanding Anxiety and Its Roots
07:50 - Patient Assessment Process
10:40 - Adrenal Burnout Discussion
12:34 - Hormonal Changes and Anxiety
14:22 - Impact of Antidepressants
16:31 - Supporting Patients on Medications
17:05 - Recommended Supplements for Anxiety
18:28 - Ideal Patient Profile
20:05 - Importance of Connection in Healing
21:26 - Initial Steps with New Clients
22:51 - Insulin Resistance and Surprising Health Markers
23:32 - Intermittent Fasting Insights
24:56 - Importance of Real Nutrition
26:36 - B Vitamins and MTHFR
27:50 - Top Supplements for Perimenopausal Women
29:48 - Cod Liver Oil and Omega Supplements
31:33 - Adaptogens for Anxiety
33:08 - Nutrition and Anxiety Connection
37:03 - Hydration and Food Colorings
39:11 - Blood Sugar Balancing
41:00 - Empowering Nutrition Awareness
42:14 - Celebrating Small Wins in Nutrition
More from Anxiety Rx
What if worrying is just your mind’s way of trying to stop you from worrying? In this episode, I pull apart the myth that positive thinking can cure anxiety. The alarm in the body and the worries in the mind feed each other in a loop that never ends. Childhood separation leaves a mark when you aren’t seen, heard, or protected, and that’s where the alarm takes root. Growing up with a father who had schizophrenia, I learned to escape into worry as my coping strategy. The real healing began when I turned toward the younger version of myself and felt what I’d spent years running from.
What if the real scam isn’t the robocall, but the idea that your worth is measured in dollars? In this episode, the lie that money can replace human connection takes center stage. A medical system built on billing codes pushed me to trade care for speed, and that disconnection fueled my own anxiety. Scams, ads, and constant grabs for attention keep the nervous system on high alert. The “monetization fairy” gets called out for what it is, and simple practices bring us back to intrinsic value and genuine human connection.
What if being “too sensitive” isn’t a flaw but the hidden root of your anxiety?
Ever pushed yourself to eat clean and work out, hoping it would calm your anxiety, only to feel even worse? Here’s why it happens…
What if burnout isn’t failure, but your body’s protective shutdown? In this episode, I open up about burning out as a doctor and why it went far beyond just being tired. Burnout showed up as a split between my mind pushing forward and the younger part of me saying, “I can’t do this anymore.” The mask of “Dr. Russell Kennedy” gave me income, status, and validation, but it also crushed my sense of self.