Suffering From Crippling Illness, Mike Tyson Confides in Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman About His Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis

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ByPrachi Prava Senapati

Sep 25, 2023 | 1:05 PM EDT

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With increasing awareness about mental health, people are now much more comfortable opening up about their struggles with it. Mike Tyson might be a fighting machine, but at the end of the day, he is only human and is just as prone to dealing with mental issues as any of us.

In a recent episode of HotBoxin’ with Mike Tyson, he opens up about his mental struggles in front of neuroscientist and researcher, Andrew Huberman. The two have a detailed conversation about the topic. What technique did the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ use in his fight with Bipolar disorder?

Mike Tyson on the distress that his disorder caused

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Tyson invited the YouTube-famous neuroscientist on his podcast, where they discussed numerous issues surrounding the overall health of an individual. While the researcher was explaining the potential causes of Bipolar Disorder, Tyson revealed that he had been diagnosed with the same. The statement took Huberman by surprise. “I am not a psychiatrist, but I would not have put you in that chart”.

Bipolar disorder causes extreme shifts in mood and is characterized by two mood states called mania and depression. Both are conditions which can be quite dangerous. “Doing s**t at places people don’t dare to do s**t.” Tyson recalls his past instances where the disorder made him act up and cause distress for himself and the surrounding ones. “What you’ve gone through and where you’ve been, I think to the rest of the world, it’s like- woah, that’s a lot” iterated Huberman.

Tyson’s life has been chaotic with financial problems, marriage issues, drug addiction, and prison time. Such events can shoot up the intensity at which a mental disorder holds control over a person. Through time, however, ‘Iron Mike’ has gained back some control over himself with therapy and medications.

‘Iron Mike’s resilience in the face of crippling illness

Pictures of ‘Kid Dynamite’ blew up the internet last year as he showed up in a wheelchair at the Miami airport, leaving his fans worried. Turns out his sciatica had flared up, causing this condition of his. The nervous condition, capable of causing immense pain in the back and legs, also affects his speech, causing vocal inflection.

His reckless attitude in fights and drug problems had been contributing to his deteriorating health. Tyson himself does not believe he has long to live. The fighter, however, has continued to fight through these setbacks and emerge victorious in the game of life as well. It is certainly inspiring to witness the determination and relentless effort Tyson has made to better himself.

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The boxer has faced every challenge in his life with perseverance and determination. An inspiration for many, he now picks from his life experiences and molds them into a lesson in his podcasts to guide his fans. Do you also feel inspired by him like we do?

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