The hottest Mental health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Disaster Cooking

Vittles • 200 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Mental health
  1. Cooking cannot solve deep mental health issues. Trying to bake a fancy cake while struggling can just add more stress and disappointment.
  2. Having support from friends and community is crucial during tough times. They can help you focus on healing rather than proving you're okay.
  3. It's okay to not be okay sometimes. Giving yourself time to heal and asking for help is more important than trying to appear strong.

High Growth Engineer Update/Break

High Growth Engineer • 586 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Mental health
  1. The writer is taking a break for at least four weeks to recharge and think about what they want to focus on moving forward. This time off is important for their mental health.
  2. When they return, there won't be a strict weekly writing schedule. They plan to prioritize quality over quantity and write when they feel inspired.
  3. The writer has ideas for new projects, like building AI tools, writing a book, or starting a community for discussions. They want to use the extra time effectively to provide more value.

junk food for the soul

bad cattitude • 177 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Mental health
  1. Social media acts like a quick fix to escape pain, but it often leads to deeper problems rather than solving them. People become addicted to the temporary relief it provides.
  2. The digital world creates a false sense of community, making people reliant on online validation which can lead to feelings of isolation and anxiety in real life.
  3. Social media can be very unhealthy because it promotes extreme behavior and divides people into angry groups. It's important to be aware of how it can shape our thoughts and relationships.

Story Thirty-Seven

Stories From The Rail • 219 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Eulogies can be a way to cope with OCD and suicidal ideation, helping in the battle with intrusive thoughts and fears.
  2. Mental health challenges like OCD and suicidal ideation are medical conditions that require understanding, support, and proper treatment.
  3. Parenting and focusing on loved ones can ground and provide strength in battling against compulsions and intrusive thoughts.

Friday Q&A: on antidepressants; inattention; social anxiety; & “am I taking too many meds?”

Are You Okay? • 359 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Consider the option of seeking medication for managing depression symptoms if other interventions are not fully effective.
  2. Medication can be a valuable tool in a holistic approach to mental health, when used appropriately and under medical supervision.
  3. When facing intrusive thoughts and anxiety, techniques like recentering oneself and avoiding spirals can be helpful to regain focus.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Lagging Behind

Venture Prose • 359 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Acknowledge when you're falling behind and need to clean house. Don't blame yourself too much; it happens. Adjust your schedule to find more time and space to get things done in the next few days.
  2. Prioritize tasks and schedule them for the upcoming week. Be careful not to spread them too thin. Start with the most critical things early in the morning to avoid carrying a mental backlog.
  3. Don't be afraid to say no, reschedule, or cancel commitments. Get back to handling emails and important messages promptly without overthinking. Be honest about your overwhelmed feelings.

The Dark Side of Hustle Culture

Litverse • 139 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Mental health
  1. The influencer industry highlights the difficulties and pressures of constantly being connected online, impacting mental health and personal relationships.
  2. In a hustle culture that glorifies productivity, traditional social activities, reading, and personal experiences are neglected, leading to increased loneliness and anxiety among younger generations.
  3. The obsession with constant connection through screens and digital validation can result in a disconnection from real-life experiences, personal growth, and genuine human connections.

Psychedelics & the death experience

Trickle-Down Wellness • 196 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Psychedelics are being researched for various medical applications like treating anxiety, depression, and existential distress in terminally-ill patients.
  2. Historically, LSD studies funded by the US government from 1953-1973 showed positive results for various conditions and situations.
  3. Ongoing debates exist around the use of macrodoses or microdoses of psychedelics as medicine, with evidence showing potential benefits of larger doses, especially in end-of-life care.

From Clouds To Clarity

Insight Axis • 355 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Thoughts emerge from your subconscious in their own time, without force.
  2. Even simple thoughts can take time to become clear and actionable.
  3. Feelings of unease and vagueness should be embraced, as they can lead to clarity and meaningful direction.

Men are lonely, but mothers are losing their minds

Men Yell at Me • 247 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Mental health
  1. The mental health of mothers in America is getting worse, with more parents reporting feelings of anxiety and depression. Many factors contribute to this, like rising costs of living and cuts to support programs.
  2. While there is a lot of focus on the struggles faced by men, especially younger ones, it's important to remember that women, especially mothers and teen girls, are also facing serious mental health challenges.
  3. There's a noticeable push to benefit men politically and socially, but this could overshadow the struggles of women, who are experiencing their own hardships in the workplace and at home.

School Daze

Living Fossils • 21 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🚌 Education Mental health
  1. Modern life—less play, more screens, and rigid schooling—creates mismatches our brains struggle with, and that likely produces more real cases of ADHD, anxiety, and similar problems.
  2. Wider diagnostic definitions plus incentives for schools, parents, clinicians, and students push more people into diagnoses, and social imitation helps these labels spread quickly.
  3. Because there are few objective brain tests and solutions often create new problems, diagnoses can balloon without an effective brake; rebalancing toward community, exercise, and other nonmedical supports could help.

Attached.

Finding Joy • 176 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Neuroplasticity influences our relationships by shaping our attachment patterns from early experiences.
  2. Understanding your attachment style can help navigate relationships and develop self-awareness.
  3. Attachment styles are not fixed and can be modified through corrective experiences and forming new mental pathways.

Sensitivity-to-the-world

box. • 359 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Being labeled as 'gifted' or having ADHD can create pressure and frustration. Some people feel these labels don't really reflect their struggles and often lead to unfair expectations.
  2. It's important to address needs before they become critical. Creating an accommodating environment helps everyone feel supported and reduces the chance of slipping into crisis.
  3. Sensitivity can be viewed as a strength rather than a weakness. With the right tools and understanding, people can harness their sensitivity to succeed and thrive.

Queries for Katy: When to Quit

The Flawed Yogi Report • 79 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Quitting is often the best choice. Consider sunk cost fallacy and prioritize future satisfaction over past investment.
  2. Avoid turning your passion into a job. Balancing strength and ease in activities could lead to greater satisfaction and effectiveness.
  3. Find the right balance of difficulty in tasks to enhance pleasure and effectiveness. Don't stress too much about grades, focus on enjoying the work and learning.

'Just put your phone away'

Brain Pizza • 1390 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Smartphones are everywhere, and we're still figuring out social norms around their use.
  2. Smartphones are essential for modern life - from banking to booking flights, they're incredibly useful.
  3. Smartphones offer insights into psychology and neuroscience, allowing us to track thoughts and emotions in real-time.

Well Being: Walking to Improve Sexual Health and Satisfaction

Who is Robert Malone • 17 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Regular walking lowers your risk of death and adds years to your life, and even short daily walks (about 10–15 minutes) provide meaningful benefits.
  2. Walking boosts sexual health and satisfaction by improving blood flow, hormones, metabolism, and mood, and can noticeably help erectile function and arousal for both men and women.
  3. Make walking a lasting habit by starting very small, tying walks to existing routines, prioritizing consistency over intensity, and using enjoyable, low-pressure strategies like light tracking or walking with others.

Happy 2025 High Growth Engineer 🎉

High Growth Engineer • 493 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Mental health
  1. Prioritize your mental health and learn to say 'no' when needed. This helps prevent burnout and keeps you focused on what really matters.
  2. Adapt your systems to align with your goals. If your priorities change, make adjustments to ensure your daily actions support your personal growth.
  3. Embrace change and keep learning. The tech industry evolves quickly, so being open to new skills will help you stay relevant.

The Future of this Newsletter

Are You Okay? • 559 implied HN points • 15 Dec 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. This newsletter, started during the COVID pandemic, has grown into a community of 20,000+ readers with a focus on various health topics like weight loss, aging, and mental health.
  2. Paid subscribers get access to exclusive features like private discussions, Q&A sessions, and a community bulletin board for health tips and insights.
  3. The focus of the newsletter is on providing evidence-based medical information to help people navigate physical and mental health, emphasizing the importance of living better, not just longer.

America - and Americans - must stand against drugs of abuse. ALL drugs of abuse.

Unreported Truths • 32 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Mental health
  1. Drugs that produce a high are harmful and addictive, and making them more accessible has caused real social and public-health harms.
  2. High-THC cannabis has limited proven medical benefits and is linked to psychosis, severe vomiting, accidents, heart risks, and can act as a gateway to further drug use.
  3. Society should discourage and stigmatize drug use rather than normalize or commercialize it, using higher costs and legal consequences to reduce use because drug use creates harms for families and the public.

Can Therapy Be Bad For You?

Are You Okay? • 339 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Therapy may not work for everyone - some people may not see benefits from psychotherapy.
  2. Therapy effectiveness depends on willingness to challenge thoughts and behaviors, establish trust with the therapist, and be open to change.
  3. Acceptance, awareness, and taking agency are crucial in making therapy successful.

Friday Q&A: Irritable Bowel; HRT & breast cancer; sudden cardiac arrest; & tinnitus

Are You Okay? • 339 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a real condition that affects a significant portion of the population, more commonly women, causing symptoms like cramping, pain, bloating, and more.
  2. Managing IBS involves keeping a food diary to identify trigger foods, checking medications for possible digestive effects, increasing fiber intake gradually, managing stress, and nurturing the gut microbiome by choosing the right foods.
  3. Individuals with family history of breast cancer and considering hormone replacement therapy should consult with healthcare providers, as factors like age, lifestyle habits, and specific health conditions play a role in decision-making.

Science of Dread

Brain Pizza • 595 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Our minds often generate stress and anxiety, especially during challenging times like deadlines. It's important to understand where these feelings come from.
  2. Dark thoughts can shape our behavior and mindset. They often relate to fear and dread, which can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves.
  3. Events like Halloween highlight our fascination with fear. Exploring why we feel dread can help us cope with anxiety and stress better.

Rebellion!

Disaffected Newsletter • 519 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Mental health
  1. A therapist discusses Nevada's focus on 'affirmation only' gender ideology and offers advice on finding a non-activist therapist.
  2. People are starting to resist extreme gender policies in schools, highlighted by principals criticizing students for not supporting LGBTQ events.
  3. There is controversy over schools providing inappropriate materials in libraries, as some believe it harms children despite claims of promoting diversity.

All That Glitters is Not Gold…

Bodies get in the way... • 334 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Breastfeeding is a natural process that women are inherently capable of, without the need for men to lactate.
  2. Support from men, partners, and wider society is crucial for women to successfully breastfeed their babies.
  3. Artificially producing breast milk in labs or promoting men to breastfeed can harm the mother-baby dyad and ignore the physiological expectations of breastfeeding.

On Clean Living

Castalia • 499 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Switching from drinking to not drinking can change your life. It might seem tough at first, but it can lead to feeling better overall.
  2. Noticing how alcohol and caffeine affect your moods and energy levels is important. Quitting them can give you a clearer view of yourself.
  3. Sobriety opens up a chance to see other habits, like phone use or gaming, as potential addictions. Learning to be okay with free time without substances can help you discover a different way to live.

Spreading Light in the World

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 7 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Stopping constant sarcasm and complaining and choosing a positive, uplifting attitude can genuinely improve your life, and you can be smart and funny without being mean.
  2. Make it a goal to lift other people up and help them be healthier, wealthier, wiser, and more joyful, but pair that attitude with real work and smart, sometimes ruthless actions.
  3. Facing fear and changing your mindset lets you grow — a big successful performance can banish nerves, and you can always choose how you respond to life and notice its small miracles.

The Terrible Loneliness of Genius

Wrong Side of History • 427 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Mental health
  1. Vincent van Gogh struggled with loneliness and mental health issues throughout his life. His passion for art often clashed with his personal struggles, causing him to feel isolated.
  2. Despite facing rejection and lack of recognition during his lifetime, Van Gogh created around 200 artworks while living in Arles. This period was productive but also led to his mental breakdown.
  3. Today, Van Gogh is celebrated as a brilliant artist with a significant legacy. His brother Theo's widow worked hard to promote Van Gogh's art after his death, helping to secure his place in art history.

Simulation, psychosis, and trajectory

Gradient Ascendant • 11 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Mental health
  1. Chatbots can be involved in real delusional episodes where people come to believe the AI is sentient, divine, or reveals a new reality, and the technology often reflects and reinforces those beliefs rather than creating them out of nowhere.
  2. Our everyday reality is increasingly mediated by software, so the simulation idea is a useful metaphor; AI tends to present itself as a ready-made solution, which tempts people to accept its outputs without proper skepticism.
  3. AI also fuels a ‘‘trajectory’’ delusion where builders and users convince themselves they’re on the verge of major breakthroughs, creating inward-facing hype that needs external validation and reality checks to avoid overconfidence.

#161: Unhappy medium

Maybe Baby • 1713 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Sometimes being worse off can motivate action more than just being mildly off
  2. Region-Beta Paradox: Moving from a medium-bad situation to a worse one can lead to quicker healing or recovery
  3. In matters of indecision, taking action is often better than staying in the middle