For years, Jordan Peterson was known for his emphasis on discipline, responsibility, and confronting hardship directly. Through lectures, books, and interviews, he built a large audience by presenting himself as a clear and structured thinker focused on psychological resilience.
Over the past few years, however, his public presence has significantly declined. According to sources, while he has not disappeared entirely, his output has slowed. Additionally, long stretches have passed without direct communication from him.
Most updates about his health have come from his daughter, Mikhaila Peterson, rather than from Peterson himself.
Peterson’s daughter shared a public update about her father, asking supporters to keep him in their prayers as his condition remained serious. In the message, she made clear that his health had not improved significantly, saying, “Things are really bad.”
She added that although he was no longer hospitalized, “He’s still very unwell but he’s not in the hospital. We’re working with great specialists in giving him more time to recover.”
Mikhaila, who regularly appears alongside Peterson on his podcast to respond to audience questions, acknowledged the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his condition. While noting that he was technically in recovery, she admitted that “we’re still really not sure what’s going on: whether it’s an immune system issue, neurological or both.”
What remains unclear is the exact nature of his illness. Various explanations have been offered over time, including neurological issues, immune system dysfunction, nerve damage, reactions to medication, and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), often linked to mold exposure.
Despite these claims, no single diagnosis has been consistently confirmed or clearly explained to the public.
This lack of clarity has led to confusion and speculation. His family has suggested that spiritual factors may also be involved, describing aspects of his illness in religious or metaphysical terms.
Religion has played a visible role in the Peterson family’s interpretation of illness before. Peterson’s wife, Tammy, previously survived kidney cancer after doctors reportedly gave her a poor prognosis. Her recovery has often been described by the family as involving both medical treatment and prayer. That same belief system appears to influence how Peterson’s current condition is discussed.
Peterson’s medical history also includes controversial decisions. During a period of severe anxiety and depression, he developed a dependency on certain treatments. After unsuccessful attempts to taper off the medication in North America, he underwent an experimental treatment in Russia involving a medically induced coma. While he survived and later claimed improvement, the approach was widely criticized by medical professionals.
In recent years, Peterson has also promoted unconventional health practices, such as an all-meat “Lion Diet,” which he has claimed helped address autoimmune and neurological issues.
As his public appearances became less frequent, some observers noted changes in his communication style, including a greater focus on religious symbolism and abstract interpretations. Supporters and critics alike have questioned whether these shifts reflect personal belief, ongoing health struggles, or both.
The available information on Jordan Peterson’s illness is fragmented, and clear medical answers have not been provided.
