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 59,000+ readers.
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...
LIVE LIFE
LIVE LIFE By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD February 1, 2026 | #74 Forwarded this email? Sign up here. Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Our son Brian died this exact day 13 years ago, February 1st at 11:50 pm, when his car struck a tree head-on. His life ended in that moment. He didn’t anticipate his death, especially at the age of 18. And neither did we. Our lives drastically changed from that moment on. And as you read this, I hope that my son Brian will change your life just a...
Do You Have Back Pain? Here’s What To Do (and What Not To Do)
Do You Have Back Pain? Here’s What To Do (and What Not To Do) By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD January 25, 2026 | #73 Forwarded this email? Sign up here Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week What structure acts as the “shock absorber” between the bones of your spine? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) Tendon B) Ligament C) Intervertebral disc D) Meniscus The Truth About Back Pain Most people will deal with back pain at some point. And when it...
Why Poor Sleep Is Bad for You (and What You Can Do About It)
Why Poor Sleep Is Bad for You (and What You Can Do About It) By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD January 18, 2026 | #72 Forwarded this email? Sign up here. Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week Approximately how many neurons does the human brain contain? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) 42 billion B) 86 billion C) 37 billion D) 121 billion What Sleep Actually Does for Your Body and Brain Most people think of sleep as rest. Something you get...
What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self?
What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self? By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD January 11, 2026 | #71 Forwarded this email? Sign up here. Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice. Medical Trivia of the Week Which organ consumes the most energy at rest relative to its size? (the correct answer is at the end of this email) A) Heart B) Liver C) Kidneys D) Brain Ten Pieces of Life Advice Recently, I asked a simple question: “What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?” The...
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 59,000+ readers.