You’ve probably heard the voice. That raspy, strained quality that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. carries into every speech and interview. For some, it’s just a quirk, but for others, it’s the first thing they notice about his public persona. Honestly, when you look at the sheer list of RFK Jr health problems that have surfaced over the years—from brain parasites to heart issues—it’s kinda wild that he’s as active as he is.
But there is a lot of noise out there. Some of it sounds like a medical thriller, and some of it is just confusing jargon. Let's basically break down what’s actually going on with his health without the political spin.
The Voice: What’s Really Up with Spasmodic Dysphonia?
The most obvious health challenge is his voice. It isn’t just a bad case of laryngitis or "getting old." He has a neurological condition called spasmodic dysphonia.
Basically, the brain sends the wrong signals to the vocal cords. Instead of vibrating smoothly to create sound, the muscles in the voice box (larynx) go into involuntary spasms. Kennedy has the "adductor" type, which means his vocal cords slam shut when he tries to speak. That’s why his voice sounds tight or "strangled."
He wasn’t born with this. In fact, he had a perfectly normal, strong voice until his early 40s. It started trembling around 1996. He has mentioned in interviews that he "can’t stand" the sound of it himself, but he’s also noted that the more he speaks, the stronger it feels—even if it doesn't sound any better to us. There’s no cure, but people often get Botox injections directly into their vocal cords to temporarily paralyze those spasms. It’s a bit of a localized "reset" for the muscles.
The "Brain Worm" That Made Headlines
Then there’s the story that sounds like it was ripped from a sci-fi script. In a 2012 deposition that came to light during his presidential run, Kennedy revealed that back in 2010, he suffered from severe memory loss and brain fog. It was bad enough that a friend thought he might have a brain tumor.
When he went to the doctors, they saw a dark spot on his scans. They originally suspected a tumor, but another doctor had a different theory: it was a parasite. Specifically, he was told a worm had entered his brain, "ate a portion of it," and then died.
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Medical experts have since clarified a few things.
- Worms don't actually "eat" brain tissue like a snack.
- What likely happened was neurocysticercosis, caused by pork tapeworm larvae.
- The larva travels to the brain, forms a cyst, and the body’s immune system reacts to it.
- When the parasite dies, it can leave behind a calcified "scar" or a small lesion.
Kennedy says the symptoms eventually cleared up on their own without surgery. He’s been pretty dismissive of it lately, even joking that he’d eat "five more brain worms" and still win a debate.
Mercury, Heart Flutters, and Old Battles
Around the same time as the parasite scare, Kennedy was also diagnosed with mercury poisoning. He’s blamed this on a diet heavy in predatory fish—think lots of tuna fish sandwiches. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. It can cause the exact kind of "cognitive problems" he described in his 2012 deposition, including short-term memory loss. He eventually changed his diet and underwent chelation therapy to get the levels down.
His heart hasn't always been perfectly steady, either. He has a history of atrial fibrillation (Afib), which is an irregular, often rapid heart rate. It can feel like your heart is "flopping" in your chest. He’s been hospitalized for it at least four times, including a notable incident in Seattle back in 2001. However, he claims he hasn't had an episode in over a decade.
A History of Addiction and Recovery
You can’t talk about his health journey without mentioning his past with drug abuse. After his father was assassinated, a young RFK Jr. struggled significantly. He was open about a 14-year struggle with heroin addiction that started when he was 15.
He was arrested for possession in 1983, which became a turning point. He entered treatment, stayed sober, and has been in recovery for over 40 years. He also contracted Hepatitis C during that period, likely from intravenous drug use, but he has stated that the infection was successfully treated and cleared.
What This Means for You (The Takeaway)
When you look at the full picture of RFK Jr health problems, it’s a mix of environmental exposure, rare neurological conditions, and the lingering effects of a turbulent youth.
If you’re worried about similar issues, here are a few actionable steps based on what we’ve learned from his case:
- Watch the Tuna: Mercury accumulation is real. If you eat a lot of high-mercury fish (swordfish, king mackerel, bigeye tuna), consider swapping them for smaller fish like sardines or wild-caught salmon.
- Voice Changes Matter: If your voice stays raspy for more than two weeks, don't just ignore it. While spasmodic dysphonia is rare (about 1 in 100,000 people), chronic hoarseness can be a sign of many things that an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor) should check.
- Food Safety: To avoid the "brain worm" scenario (neurocysticercosis), ensure pork is cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F and always practice thorough hand-washing, especially when traveling in areas with poor sanitation.
- Manage Stress and Heart Health: Afib can be triggered by stress, caffeine, or alcohol. If you feel palpitations, a simple EKG at your doctor's office can tell you if your heart rhythm is off.
Kennedy’s health history is undeniably complex. But by his own account, he’s in the best shape of his life now, focusing on a "clean" lifestyle to counter the issues he faced in his 40s and 50s. Whether you find his story concerning or a testament to resilience, it certainly highlights how varied and unpredictable personal health can be.