177. Dr. Judith Joseph: Why Your Brain Can’t Feel Joy + The DNA Solution That Changes Everything

The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka

Gary Brecka

Health & Fitness

4.8 • 2.5K Ratings

🗓️ 24 June 2025

⏱️ 75 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Crushing it professionally, but feeling empty inside? This is what Dr. Judith Joseph calls, “high-functioning depression.” Here’s what’s really happening: You’re pathologically productive, wearing a mask of success while experiencing anhedonia — the clinical term for losing joy in things that once lit you up. In this episode, she breaks down the five V’s framework that can restore your natural capacity for joy. What’s one small thing you’re going to plan joy into your week? Ready to take back control of your cellular biology? Join my FREE 3-Day Ultimate Detox Challenge starting June 23rd. I’ve taken the exact protocols I use with pro athletes and CEOs and simplified them for everyday implementation. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3ZgCW4u Join the Ultimate Human VIP community: https://bit.ly/4ai0Xwg Connect with Dr. Judith Joseph: Get Dr. Judith Joseph’s book, “High Functioning“ here: https://bit.ly/4kn8Bct Listen to "The Vault with Dr. Judith" on all your favorite platforms! YouTube: https://bit.ly/4lhTsd5 Spotify: https://bit.ly/4lqfURz Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3ZFoUd6 Connect with Dr. Judith Joseph: Website: https://bit.ly/4kTr411 YouTube: https://bit.ly/4l5AC9e Instagram: https://bit.ly/4kXdiux TikTok: https://bit.ly/44tPvwg Facebook: ⁠https://bit.ly/3G8QDMC LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4egyTLH Thank you to our partners: H2TABS - USE CODE “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4hMNdgg BODYHEALTH - USE CODE “ULTIMATE20” FOR 20% OFF: http://bit.ly/4e5IjsV BAJA GOLD - USE CODE "ULTIMATE10" FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/3WSBqUa EIGHT SLEEP - SAVE $350 ON THE POD 4 ULTRA WITH CODE “GARY”: https://bit.ly/3WkLd6E COLD LIFE - THE ULTIMATE HUMAN PLUNGE: https://bit.ly/4eULUKp WHOOP - GET 1 FREE MONTH WHEN YOU JOIN!: https://bit.ly/3VQ0nzW MASA CHIPS - GET 20% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER: https://bit.ly/40LVY4y VANDY - USE CODE “ULTIMATE20” FOR 20% OFF: https://bit.ly/49Qr7WE AION - USE CODE “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4h6KHAD HAPBEE - FEEL BETTER & PERFORM AT YOUR BEST: https://bit.ly/4a6glfo CARAWAY - USE CODE “ULTIMATE” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/3Q1VmkC HEALF - GET 10% OFF YOUR ORDER: https://bit.ly/41HJg6S BIOPTIMIZERS - USE CODE “ULTIMATE” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4inFfd7 RHO NUTRITION - USE CODE “ULTIMATE15” FOR 15% OFF: https://bit.ly/44fFza0 GENETIC TEST: ⁠https://bit.ly/3Yg1Uk9 Watch the “Ultimate Human Podcast” every Tuesday & Thursday at 9AM EST: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPQYX8 Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3RQftU0 Connect with Gary Brecka: Instagram: https://bit.ly/3RPpnFs TikTok: https://bit.ly/4coJ8fo X.com: https://bit.ly/3Opc8tf Facebook: https://bit.ly/464VA1H LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4hH7Ri2 Website: https://bit.ly/4eLDbdU Merch: https://bit.ly/4aBpOM1 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/47ejrws Ask Gary: https://bit.ly/3PEAJuG Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:20 Dr. Judith Joseph’s Research on Anhedonia and Joy 08:21 Understanding the Science of Happiness 15:01 Testing for Mental Health 20:37 High-Functioning Depression Definition 22:54 Identifying and Processing Trauma 30:28 The Five V’s 45:17 Creating Social Connections 58:57 Shifting the Mindset on Self-Care 1:02:00 Planning Joy 1:09:50 Impact of Physical Movement on Mental Health 1:13:46 Final Question: What does it mean to you to be an “Ultimate Human?” The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The Content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	As human beings, we are built with the DNA for joy.
0:03.0	But many of us have forgotten how to access it.
0:05.0	And we confuse happiness with joy.
0:07.0	I think there's a pandemic of people just accepting okay.
0:11.0	They're walking around at a five out of ten.
0:13.0	They've chalked it up to aging or a consequence of their environment.
0:16.0	Whatever way they have to justify that they're just kind of just okay.
0:20.0	We have something called Ann Hedonia,
0:22.6	and it literally means a lack of joy and pleasure
0:25.6	and things that once lit you up.
0:27.6	That's a very dangerous place to be,
0:29.6	because we have a tendency to delay our gratification
0:33.6	and say, well, I'm going to be happy as soon as.
0:35.6	I will be happy when I pay off my loans.
0:38.0	I find the perfect partner or when I get that big job.
0:41.3	The science shows us, even when we get those things, we're still not happy.
0:45.3	Happiness is the idea.
0:46.5	Joy, on the other hand, is the experience.
0:49.4	The motto of my lab is understand the science of your happiness.
0:53.4	People like yourself talk about the impact of nutrition
0:56.5	and nutrients on our mood and our emotional state. You're missing out on other points of joy by
1:01.7	neglecting your nutrition. And when you're stressed, you make poor choices. And one of those poor
	...

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