Audio: What if the Most Powerful Drug We Have Isn't a Drug?

Christine Carter, PhD, reads her article · Sep 10, 2026 · 6m

Billy is one of my favorite people on the planet. My husband’s oldest and dearest friend; he and his daughters are family.

Seven years ago, Billy had a heart attack. He was running his own business and had full custody of his two teenage girls; he was carrying an enormous amount of stress with nobody to tap out to.

When my husband and I arrived at the hospital, Billy was awake and talking and was going to be fine, thank God. Given that hospital food is what it is, we offered to get him dinner.

He brightened right up. Could we bring him a burger and fries?

He was joking, of course, but…