Brian Hoeflinger, MD
A real neurosurgeon's take on health, medicine, and living well, not another wellness influencer. Science-based. In plain English. 5 minutes a week. Trusted by 62,000+ readers.
My Son Died at 18, Please Read This Important Message
My Son Died at 18, A Letter to the Graduating Class of 2026 By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD April 27, 2026 | #84 Forwarded this email? Sign up here Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Our son Brian Hoeflinger died in a tragic car accident four months before graduating high school at the young age of 18. He was a kid just like you who had hopes and aspirations of going to college and having a full happy life. On the night he died, he was at a party with friends drinking vodka and...
Why Sleep is Your Body's Best Medicine
What Your Body is Actually Doing While You Sleep By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD April 8, 2026 | #83 Forwarded this email? Sign up here Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week Which sleep stage is most important for physical repair and immune function? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) REM sleep B) The transition between REM and light sleep C) Light sleep (Stage 1) D) Deep sleep (Stage 3) Here's What's Actually Happening While You Sleep Most...
What are Panic Attacks?
Panic Attacks: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How to Fight Back By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD April 1, 2026 | #82 Forwarded this email? Sign up here Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week The heart generates enough electrical energy in a lifetime to approximately power which of the following? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) A laptop for a year B) A cross-country train C) A small city for a day D) An electric car for 100 miles What...
What You Need to Know About High Blood Pressure
What You Need to Know About High Blood Pressure By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD March 22, 2026 | #81 Forwarded this email? Sign up here Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week Which part of the human body has the most blood vessels per square inch? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) Brain B) Heart muscle C) Retina of the eye D) Kidneys The Silent Killer That Has No Symptoms Walk into any Walgreens or other pharmacy chain in America and you...
The Science of Kindness
The Science of Kindness By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD March 15, 2026 | #80 Forwarded this email? Sign up here Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week How many times does the average human heart beat in a lifetime? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) Approximately 1 billion B) Approximately 500 million C) Approximately 2.5 billion D) Approximately 4 billion The Science of Feeling Good by Doing Good You have probably noticed it before. You do...
What Happens to Your Brain When You Don't Drink Enough Water
What Happens to Your Brain When You Don't Drink Enough Water By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD March 8, 2026 | #79 Forwarded this email? Sign up here Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week Which neurotransmitter is most directly affected by dehydration, contributing to mood changes and fatigue? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) Serotonin B) GABA C) Dopamine D) Acetylcholine The Simplest Thing You Can Do for Your Brain Today People spend a lot...
Why You're Alive After Surgery
The Reason Surgery Doesn't Kill You Anymore By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD March 2, 2026 | #78 Forwarded this email? Sign up here Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week Before antiseptics, what was the most common cause of death following amputation surgery in the 1800s? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) Excessive blood loss B) Sepsis from wound infection C) Gangrene D) Pneumonia Surgical Infections Nearly 50 percent of people who underwent...
What Chronic Stress Is Actually Doing to Your Brain
What Chronic Stress Is Actually Doing to Your Brain By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD February 22, 2026 | #77 Forwarded this email? Sign up here Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week Which part of the brain is most vulnerable to damage from chronic stress? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) Cerebellum B) Hippocampus C) Brainstem D) Occipital lobe Stress Isn’t Just in Your Head, It’s in Your Brain We all know stress feels bad. You know the...
Next Time You're Stressed, Remember This Story
Next Time You're Stressed, Remember This Story By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD February 15, 2026 | #76 Forwarded this email? Sign up here Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week W? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) 100 mL B) 500 mL C) 300 mL D) 700 mL A Stressful Week Life can be stressful, and yet it all comes down to perspective. We just moved into our new house this past week. The long days and evenings of packing up your old life and then...
Neurosurgeon Explains Why You Should Always Wear a Helmet
Why You Should Always Wear a Helmet By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD February 8, 2026 | #75 Forwarded this email? Sign up here. Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week By what percentage do helmets reduce the risk of severe traumatic brain injury in cyclists? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) 40-50% B) 30-40% C) 70-80% D) 50-60% Let Me Show You What This Looks Like In 26+ years as a neurosurgeon, I've seen and operated on hundreds of traumatic...
A real neurosurgeon's take on health, medicine, and living well, not another wellness influencer. Science-based. In plain English. 5 minutes a week. Trusted by 62,000+ readers.