When someone acts selfishly, lashes out, or makes poor decisions, the instinct is to question their character. Are they just a bad person? Do they lack empathy or morals? But beneath that judgment lies a deeper question we often overlook: could they simply be unhealthy?

Human behavior is rooted in biology as much as morality. A person’s actions are shaped not only by values and beliefs, but also by hormones, nutrition, sleep quality, physical pain, gut health, and neurological stability. What we call “bad behavior” often emerges from a body and mind that are struggling to stay in balance.

Consider a person who constantly seems angry, impatient, or unpredictable. Rather than jumping to moral condemnation, it’s worth asking whether they’re dealing with chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, or sleep deprivation. These conditions can alter mood, lower impulse control, and distort perception. For example, low blood sugar makes people more irritable. Chronic magnesium deficiency increases anxiety. Poor sleep impairs empathy and moral reasoning.

A well-nourished, well-rested brain has the capacity to pause, reflect, and choose wisely. An unhealthy brain reacts, defends, and overcorrects. When someone is in a state of constant physiological stress, they may not even have access to their best self. Their behavior is filtered through a fog of physical strain, chemical imbalance, and emotional depletion.

This is not an excuse for harmful actions, but it is a context. Some people do choose selfishness regardless of health. But many are simply operating from a place of low internal resources. Their patience wears thin not because they are cruel, but because their body is barely holding together. Their decisions seem reckless not because they are inherently immoral, but because their mental clarity is compromised.

If you look at someone’s life and see poor diet, chronic fatigue, high stress, social isolation, or untreated trauma, you are not looking at someone evil. You are looking at someone who is unwell. Bad health often masquerades as bad character.

This understanding can shift how we respond. Instead of only judging, we might begin helping. Instead of cutting people off immediately, we might start by asking what their life is lacking—not just morally, but physically and emotionally.

Of course, everyone is responsible for their actions. But when trying to understand someone’s behavior, we must ask not just what did they do but also what are they running on. Often, the problem is not their soul. It’s their system. A weak foundation of health turns ordinary challenges into insurmountable ones.

So the next time someone disappoints you, ask the deeper question. Are they truly a bad person—or just someone in a body and mind that can’t cope? The difference matters. And sometimes, that difference is everything.