Mark Hyman, MD · 2026-01-21 · Mark Hyman (host), Robert Hedaya

Fix the Brain, Change the Mind: Root-Cause Psychiatry w/ Dr. Robert Hedaya

29 research-tied claims examined: 2 contradicted 2 overstated 2 context 13 supported 10 unverified

2

Contradicted by research

0:46:40Robert Hedayacontradictedmoderate

Babesia parasites inhabit red blood cells and proliferate in high-oxygen environments.

"unless you happen to have Babesia as an infection, then it's maybe not the best idea because they love oxygen. Babesia loves oxygen, right? It lives in red blood cells and they love oxygen." (said at 0:46:40)

The speaker claims that *Babesia* parasites "love oxygen" and proliferate in high-oxygen environments. While *Babesia* species are intraerythrocytic parasites that infect red blood cells, in vitro culture studies show that *Babesia* organisms are microaerophilic—meaning they require reduced oxygen concentrations (typically 2% to 5% O2) rather than high-oxygen environments for optimal continuous cultivation. Elevated oxygen concentrations and reactive oxygen intermediates (such as superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals) exert cytotoxic/babesiacidal effects on *Babesia* parasites.

1:00:51Mark Hyman (host)contradictedhigh

Adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors causes autoimmune disease to go away.

"Your autoimmune disease is going to go away if you do all the right things. If you do the things to get healthy, then automatically I always say when you create health, disease goes away as a side effect." (said at 1:00:51)

Autoimmune diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis) are chronic, immune-mediated conditions without a known universal lifestyle-based cure. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials examining lifestyle interventions—such as exercise, dietary patterns, and psychotherapy—show that while they can improve quality of life, fatigue, and pain as adjuncts to medical management, they do not reliably eliminate disease activity or cause autoimmune diseases to 'automatically go away'.

2

Overstated

0:37:20Robert Hedayaoverstatedmoderate

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) outcomes for depression show high relapse rates and lack durability beyond 6 months.

"and the outcomes, although now they're modifying a little bit, but the outcomes they don't they're not durable really after 6 months. It's a high relapse rate, you know" (said at 0:37:20)

The speaker claims that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) outcomes for depression are not durable past 6 months and feature a high relapse rate. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and prospective follow-up studies demonstrate that acute TMS treatment response is durable beyond 6 months, though durability varies based on maintenance regimens and patient characteristics. A meta-analysis by Senova et al. (2019) found that 52.9% of responders sustained response at 6 months and 46.3% sustained response at 12 months after induction. In naturalistic studies with pragmatic maintenance protocols or retreatment access (Dunner et al., 2014; Janicak et al., 2010), 62.5% of responders maintained response through 12 months, and relapse rates under protocol-specified continuation monotherapy over 6 months were as low as 10-13%. Because TMS benefits persist for a significant proportion of patients past 6 months and relapse rates are moderate rather than uniformly high (especially when combined with continuation strategies), claiming a general lack of durability past 6 months overstates the clinical evidence.

1:00:32Mark Hyman (host)overstatedhigh

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, and proper sleep can reverse diabetes.

"Like if you eat healthy, you exercise, you sleep well, you get— Your diabetes is going to go away, right?" (said at 1:00:32)

Intensive lifestyle interventions—primarily those producing substantial weight loss—can lead to remission of type 2 diabetes, but stating that diabetes will unconditionally 'go away' overstates what the evidence shows. First, this applies strictly to type 2 diabetes and not type 1. Second, international consensus guidelines designate normal glucose levels off pharmacotherapy as 'remission' rather than a permanent cure, as ongoing monitoring is required and relapse is common. Third, remission is not guaranteed; in the landmark randomized Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT), 46% of participants achieved remission at 1 year, 36% sustained it at 2 years, and 13% remained in remission at 5 years, with success strongly dependent on achieving and maintaining large amounts of weight loss (typically >10–15 kg) and having a shorter duration of diabetes.

2

Needs context

0:15:40Robert Hedayaneeds contextlow

Historically, psychiatric institutions built and utilized large centrifuges capable of spinning up to 12 psychiatric patients at a time as a therapeutic intervention.

"And then actually they started putting people in giant centrifuges and spinning them around and they said, "Oh, hey, it works. The studies show it works." So the hospitals got together and they made these centrifuges that could spin 12 people at a time." (said at 0:15:40)

In the late 18th and 19th centuries, psychiatric institutions did construct and employ mechanical rotational devices—such as Cox's chair, Hallaran's circulating swing, and multi-patient rotating machines (such as those designed by Ernst Horn at Berlin's Charité)—under the premise that rotational acceleration and vestibular stimulation could alter cerebral blood flow and calm or reset mental disorders. While historical accounts document these large rotational machines and revolving devices used across European asylums, they were typically designated as rotational machines, rotary swings, or spinning beds rather than modern laboratory centrifuges.

  • context: The Moving History of Vestibular Stimulation as a Therapeutic Intervention (? 2017) · cited 3x in the literature
    "Although the discovery and understanding of the function of the vestibular system date back only to the 19th century, strategies that involve vestibular stimulation were used long before to calm, soothe and even cure people. While such stimulation was classically achieved with various motion devices, like Cox’s chair or Hallaran’s swing, the development of caloric and galvanic vestibular stimulation has opened up new possibilities in the 20th century." (abstract, passage verified)
    openalexfull study (doi)
1:03:35Mark Hyman (host)needs contexthigh

Linus Pauling published a paper in Science titled 'Orthomolecular Psychiatry' in 1969 outlining the use of nutrition to optimize biochemistry and alter brain function.

"In fact, Linus Pauling went on to write in 1969 a key paper in Science magazine called "Orthomolecular Psychiatry," which was sort of in a sense the original paper describing how we use nutrition to optimize your biochemistry to change your brain and your mood and your cognitive function." (said at 1:03:35)

Linus Pauling did publish the landmark paper titled 'Orthomolecular Psychiatry' in Science describing the concept of optimizing the concentrations of substances normally present in the human body (such as vitamins and nutrients) to treat mental disease and affect brain function. However, the paper was published in 1968 (Science 160(3825):265–271), not 1969.

13

Supported by research

0:09:11Robert Hedayasupportedmoderate

Panic attacks involve activation of adrenaline in the brain and locus coeruleus triggering.

"And panic is basically separation anxiety where you think you're going to die, and then deep parts of the brain—you trigger the adrenaline in the brain, the locus coeruleus gets activated, and you're like, "I'm going to die," and you have panic." (said at 0:09:11)

The speaker's statement accurately reflects standard neurobiological models of panic attacks and panic disorder. The locus coeruleus is the primary noradrenergic nucleus in the brainstem, and its activation—along with hyperactivation of central noradrenergic pathways (often referred to colloquially as brain adrenaline)—is a central component of the neural circuitry and fear networks mediating panic responses.

  • supports: Noradrenergic function in panic disorder. (The Journal of clinical psychiatry 1990)
    "Pharmacologic or electrical activation of noradrenergic neurons of the major brain noradrenergic nucleus, the locus ceruleus (LC), has anxiogenic effects in nonhuman primates. Elevated LC neuron firing is associated with anxiety or fear responses in freely moving cats. These observations are supported by clinical investigations that have demonstrated abnormal noradrenergic system regulation in panic disorder patients." (abstract, results, passage verified)
    pubmed
  • supports: Functional neuroanatomy in panic disorder: Status quo of the research. (World journal of psychiatry 2017) · cited 100x in the literature
    "Gorman et al (1989; 2000) proposed a comprehensive neuroanatomical model of PD, which suggested that fear- and anxiety-related responses are mediated by a so-called "fear network" which is centered in the amygdala and includes the hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray region, locus coeruleus and other brainstem sites... Advanced neurochemical studies have substantiated the major role of serotonergic, noradrenergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of PD." (abstract, introduction and results, passage verified)
    pubmedfull study (doi)
0:10:15Robert Hedayasupportedhigh

Red blood cell MCV reference range is typically 80 to 100 fL, and elevations can indicate B12 deficiency.

"The size of her red blood cells, the MCV, the mean—it was one, not really high. It was 101, the range 80 to 100. I ignored it because two reasons... I looked it up and it says, "Oh, could be a B12 deficiency. Do a Schilling test."" (said at 0:10:15)

The standard reference interval for mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in adults is 80 to 100 fL. An MCV above 100 fL defines macrocytosis, and vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common recognized causes of elevated MCV.

0:21:07Robert Hedayasupportedlow

In depression, quantitative EEG demonstrates impaired interhemispheric communication and reduced information flow between the left and right frontal lobes.

"So in depression, for example, you'll see that the frontal lobes are not talking to each other. The information is not flowing from left to right and right to left, right?" (said at 0:21:07)

Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) studies examining functional connectivity and coherence in patients with major depressive disorder frequently demonstrate reduced frontal interhemispheric coherence and disrupted communication between the left and right frontal regions compared to healthy controls. Reviews of the literature identify decreased frontal interhemispheric EEG coherence as one of the most consistent neurophysiological markers associated with depressive disorders. Because these findings are derived from cross-sectional and observational neurophysiological studies with variability across frequency bands and clinical sub-types, the overall certainty is low.

0:23:11Robert Hedayasupportedlow

Mycoplasma infections can localize to and affect the basal ganglia.

"Mycoplasma goes to the basal ganglia, for example, I've seen it. And then you treat the Mycoplasma, and you actually see the QEEG change over time." (said at 0:23:11)

Published clinical and neuroimaging literature confirms that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can involve and damage the basal ganglia, most often presenting as parainfectious or post-infectious basal ganglia encephalitis, bilateral striatal necrosis, or associated movement disorders. Systematic reviews and case series document neuroimaging showing lesions localized predominantly to the basal ganglia or cerebellum, commonly thought to be mediated by autoimmune mechanisms (such as antineuronal/antiganglioside antibodies) or direct central nervous system complications.

0:23:39Robert Hedayasupportedmoderate

Streptococcal infections in children can trigger pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders (PANDAS) affecting the basal ganglia and caudate nucleus, causing OCD symptoms.

"We know PANDAS, you know, strep infection with some kids goes into OCD in the basal ganglia and the caudate nucleus, etc." (said at 0:23:39)

The claim accurately reflects the prevailing medical understanding and working pathophysiological hypothesis for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). Clinical diagnostic criteria established by Swedo et al. define PANDAS as a post-streptococcal autoimmune condition characterized by abrupt-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or tics (PMID: 15241433). Multiple imaging and functional studies demonstrate neuroinflammatory changes and microstructural alterations localized to the basal ganglia, specifically the caudate nucleus and putamen (PMID: 25117419, PMID: 32364596). Autoantibodies from children with PANDAS target neuronal antigens in the basal ganglia and specifically bind to striatal cholinergic interneurons, altering their function (PMID: 32670106, PMID: 32539528).

0:26:44Robert Hedayasupportedmoderate

Laser therapy applied to the brain increases cellular ATP production.

"And I'm like, "Oh my god, this could really help the brain. This is amazing cuz it's giving ATP. It's doing a lot of different things we could talk about, but I was blown away."" (said at 0:26:44)

Transcranial photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses red to near-infrared light absorbed by mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV). This stimulation enhances mitochondrial respiration and cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. In vivo animal models and human neuroimaging studies using phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) have demonstrated that transcranial light delivery increases cerebral ATP synthase flux and tissue energy metabolism.

0:32:24Robert Hedayasupportedmoderate

Approximately 2.6% to 4.2% of transcranial laser light penetrates through into the brain.

"the laser penetrates about 2.6% of the light gets through that we know. Some people say 4.2%, about 2.6% let's say." (said at 0:32:24)

Published experimental and computational studies examining near-infrared (NIR) light penetration through human head tissues (scalp and skull) indicate that light transmission to the cortical surface generally ranges from 0.2% to 10%, depending on the wavelength (e.g., 808–810 nm), beam power, skull thickness, and anatomical site. The stated figures of approximately 2.6% to 4.2% fall squarely within this established scientific range.

0:35:00Robert Hedayasupportedmoderate

Photons from transcranial laser therapy dissociate nitric oxide from mitochondrial complexes, thereby boosting ATP production and increasing blood flow.

"the photon from the light actually knocks off a nitric oxide molecule and then the ATP flows through. It's more complicated than that, but the ATP now instantly flows through. Now, you have more energy... Then you have the nitric oxide bringing more blood flow." (said at 0:35:00)

The speaker accurately describes the established primary mechanism of action for red and near-infrared photobiomodulation (low-level light/laser therapy). Cytochrome c oxidase (Complex IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain) serves as a primary photoacceptor. Absorption of light in the red to near-infrared spectrum photodissociates inhibitory nitric oxide (NO) from the enzyme's catalytic center. This displacement relieves metabolic inhibition, restores electron transport and proton-motive force to increase ATP synthesis, while the liberated nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator to increase local blood flow.

0:35:45Robert Hedayasupportedvery low

Photobiomodulation reduces and reverses misfolding and accumulation of alpha-synuclein, tau protein, and beta-amyloid in neurodegenerative disease models.

"misfolded proteins, you know, proteins in the brain that don't fold right and they cause problems and they're like they're like viruses. They spread, right? And it actually reduces that and reverses alpha-synuclein folding in a dementia protein... And tau protein, you know, all these things, beta-amyloid" (said at 0:35:45)

Preclinical research in animal models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease demonstrates that photobiomodulation (near-infrared light therapy) can attenuate the accumulation and pathology of beta-amyloid plaques, tau hyperphosphorylation, and alpha-synuclein toxicity. For example, long-term transcranial photobiomodulation in transgenic Alzheimer's disease rodent models significantly reduced amyloid plaque burden and tau hyperphosphorylation while enhancing microglial clearance and mitochondrial function. Similarly, photobiomodulation mitigated neurotoxicity and neuronal loss in rat models of alpha-synuclein overexpression. Because these findings are derived from preclinical animal and cell culture models, certainty in human clinical application remains very low.

0:39:48Robert Hedayasupportedvery low

Dr. Robert Hedaya published the first case report of cured acquired prosopagnosia treated with laser therapy.

"So I published it. It was the first ever cured acquired prosopagnosia, facial blindness." (said at 0:39:48)

Dr. Robert Hedaya published a 2022 single-patient case report detailing the reversal of acquired associative-type prosopagnosia following quantitative electroencephalography-guided transcranial laser therapy (qGLT), with no recurrence noted at 1-year follow-up. Because this evidence comes from a single uncontrolled case report, the therapeutic efficacy of this intervention carries very low certainty and requires further controlled study.

0:44:09Mark Hyman (host)supportedhigh

Ignaz Semmelweis discovered that handwashing significantly reduced the incidence of puerperal fever.

"he actually learned in the late 1800s I think that handwashing prevented puerperal fever." (said at 0:44:09)

Ignaz Semmelweis discovered in 1847 (the mid-19th century, rather than the late 1800s) at the Vienna General Hospital that hand disinfection with chlorinated lime solutions by clinicians before examining obstetrical patients dramatically reduced the incidence of and mortality from puerperal fever (puerperal sepsis). Statistical and epidemiological re-analyses confirm that introducing chlorinated hand hygiene resulted in a major reduction in maternal mortality (dropping from an average of ~10.7% to ~2.0%).

0:56:15Robert Hedayasupportedmoderate

Variations in glucocorticoid-pathway genes including NR3C1, FKBP5, and CRHR1 impair cortisol receptor signaling and increase vulnerability to PTSD and depression.

"A big one is genetic glucocorticoid resistance. So um steroid corticosteroids, which we make, those are stress hormones, right? So there are a set of genes, uh five genes: NR3C1, FKBP5, CR receptor 1 and 2, CR-binding... because the cortisol doesn't hit the receptor properly. It doesn't translate to the genes to tell the genes that you're under stress... Now you have PTSD much more easily, right?" (said at 0:56:15)

Genetic variations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and glucocorticoid-pathway genes—notably NR3C1 (encoding the glucocorticoid receptor), FKBP5 (a co-chaperone regulating glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity), and CRHR1 (corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1)—are significantly associated with altered glucocorticoid receptor signaling and vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Meta-analyses and systematic reviews confirm that specific single nucleotide polymorphisms and gene-level variations in FKBP5, NR3C1, and CRHR1 modulate stress-response pathways and increase the risk of developing PTSD, particularly in interaction with trauma exposure.

1:04:08Robert Hedayasupportedhigh

Linus Pauling won Nobel Prizes for his work related to protein structure and for his peace advocacy on the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty.

"he won the Nobel Prize for for folding of proteins, but also um for the Peace Prize for the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty in the '60s." (said at 1:04:08)

Linus Pauling received two unshared Nobel Prizes matching the speaker's description: the 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research into the nature of the chemical bond and its application to complex structures (notably including the discovery of protein secondary structure elements like the alpha-helix and beta-sheet) and the 1962 Nobel Peace Prize (awarded in 1963) for his peace advocacy and campaign against nuclear weapons testing, which was instrumental in leading to the 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

  • supports: Linus Carl Pauling, 28 February 1901 - 19 August 1994 (Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society 1996) · cited 9x in the literature
    "He is best known, perhaps, for his insights into chemical bonding, for the discovery of the principal elements of protein secondary structure, the alpha-helix and the beta-sheet, and for the first identification of a molecular disease, sickle-cell anaemia, but there are a multitude of other important contributions... For these achievements, Pauling was awarded the 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry... His active opposition to nuclear testing brought him political persecution in his own country but was finally influential in bringing about the 1963 international treaty banning atmospheric tests. With the award of the 1962 Nobel Prize for Peace, Pauling became the first person to win two unshared Nobel Prizes" (abstract, passage verified)
    openalexfull study (doi)
10

No source found (not proven false)

0:00:00Robert Hedayaunverifiedvery low

B12 deficiency can cause panic attacks, and intramuscular B12 injection can rapidly resolve panic symptoms.

"A woman comes to me and she's having panic attacks. She has B12 deficiency. I give her injection. With the first injection, her panic is gone." (said at 0:00:00)

No published record matching the reported clinical case of panic attacks resolving immediately after a single vitamin B12 injection was located; this does not prove the claim false. While vitamin B12 deficiency is recognized to cause various neuropsychiatric manifestations, systematic reviews note that robust clinical trial evidence is lacking for B12 supplementation in major psychiatric disorders outside of correcting frank deficiency, and controlled studies have not established a specific association between cobalamin levels and isolated panic attacks.

0:17:25Robert Hedayaunverifiedvery low

Approximately one in five women have Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

"Now, what is it? One in five women have Hashimoto's thyroiditis." (said at 0:17:25)

No published record matching the claim that approximately one in five women have Hashimoto's thyroiditis was located; this does not prove the claim false.

0:18:54Robert Hedayaunverifiedvery low

Quantitative EEG measures electrical activity at 19 scalp points and standardizes findings against age- and sex-matched normative controls.

"Essentially, the quantitative EEG is we put a cap on a patient's head. We measure the electrical output at 19 points and it goes into the computer. It's really AI-driven. This is standardized against age- and sex-matched controls through the NIH database." (said at 0:18:54)

No published record matching the claim that quantitative EEG measures electrical activity at 19 scalp points standardized against an NIH age- and sex-matched normative database was located; this does not prove the claim false.

0:02:51Mark Hyman (host)unverifiedvery low

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) launched a $100 million initiative across approximately 30 sites to study functional medicine and lifestyle medicine in chronic disease prevention and treatment.

"she called me to tell me they were launching a $100 million effort with 30 different sites, $3 million or so each, to study functional medicine and lifestyle medicine in the treatment and prevention of chronic disease." (said at 0:02:51)

No published record matching a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) $100 million initiative across approximately 30 sites dedicated specifically to evaluating functional medicine and lifestyle medicine in chronic disease prevention and treatment was located; this does not prove the claim false.

0:46:12Robert Hedayaunverifiedvery low

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen delivery, nerve growth factors, stem cell mobilization, and capillary perfusion.

"And in in hyperbaric oxygen you're you're doing so many things: you're increasing delivery of nutrients, right? You're increasing delivery of oxygen. You're actually increasing nerve growth factors, your stem cell growth, right? Capillary perfusion, right?" (said at 0:46:12)

No published record matching the claim that hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen delivery, nerve growth factors, stem cell mobilization, and capillary perfusion was located; this does not prove the claim false.

0:53:35Robert Hedayaunverifiedvery low

Chronic peripheral infections can cause alterations in brain chemistry and increase glutamate excitotoxicity.

"infection in her mouth and as as you know the infection causes changes in the brain chemistry. Increases glutamate excitotoxicity." (said at 0:53:35)

No published record matching the claim that infection in the mouth causes changes in brain chemistry and increases glutamate excitotoxicity was located; this does not prove the claim false.

0:54:05Robert Hedayaunverifiedvery low

Genome-wide association studies show immune system and hormone signaling genes are prominent genetic risk drivers for psychiatric disorders.

"If you look at the the genetic studies on psychiatric illness, they're called genome-wide association studies, right? Uh where they look at millions of people and look what genes show up in psychiatric disorders. You know this, it's like the immune system and it's the hormones. Those are the big drivers" (said at 0:54:05)

No published record matching the claim that genome-wide association studies identify immune system and hormone signaling genes as the primary genetic drivers across psychiatric disorders was located; this does not prove the claim false.

0:45:00Mark Hyman (host)unverifiedvery low

Following Dr. Charles McBurney examining President William McKinley's stomach gunshot wound with unwashed fingers, McKinley developed a fatal infection rather than dying directly from the bullet wound.

"McKinley was shot in the stomach. And you remember McBurney, the McBurney's point from medical school with the appendicitis... was named after the surgeon McBurney who got called to see McKinley after he got shot and he stuck his finger in the wound... And he got infection and he died from the infection. It wasn't from the gunshot, you know." (said at 0:45:00)

No published record matching the claim that Dr. Charles McBurney probed President William McKinley's stomach gunshot wound with unwashed fingers causing a fatal infection was located; this does not prove the claim false.

0:58:44Robert Hedayaunverifiedvery low

A clinical cohort of patients with treatment-resistant depression treated with Dr. Hedaya's functional medicine protocol achieved a 100% improvement/recovery rate by 10 months.

"Everyone, the mean depression score at start, it was in the severe range, the low severe range, they all were better by 10 months... Just doing the functional medicine by four months when they're implementing the program—three months, four months—they start to get better and they steadily improve" (said at 0:58:44)

No published record matching the claim of a 100% improvement or recovery rate in a clinical cohort of patients with treatment-resistant depression treated with Dr. Hedaya's functional medicine protocol was located; this does not prove the claim false.

1:03:07Mark Hyman (host)unverifiedvery low

In the 1950s in Canada, psychiatrist Abram Hoffer experimented with treating schizophrenia using high doses of specific vitamins.

"he was, you know, a psychiatrist in Canada back in the '50s and was a kind of a colleague of Linus Pauling and was sort of experimenting with schizophrenia by giving them high doses of certain vitamins and believed that there were certain pathways that were stuck that he could unlock." (said at 1:03:07)

No published record matching the claim that Abram Hoffer was a psychiatrist in Canada who experimented in the 1950s with high doses of vitamins to treat schizophrenia was located; this does not prove the claim false.

Unverified means no publication matching the claim was located; it does not prove the claim false. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy - disputes from the people quoted are prioritized.