Gabor Maté

Gabor Maté is a Hungarian-Canadian physician and author known for his work at the intersections of addiction, trauma, and mind–body health. Born in Budapest shortly after World War II, he experienced early childhood adversity, which later informed his interest in how stress and emotional experiences shape development and health.

Over his medical career, Maté worked in family practice, palliative care, and addiction medicine, including many years with marginalized populations in Vancouver. His clinical work repeatedly exposed him to people struggling with mental health issues, addictions, and physical illnesses that he came to see as deeply intertwined with trauma and social conditions.

In addition to Scattered Minds, Maté has written several influential books, including When the Body Says No (on the impact of stress and emotions on physical illness), In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts (on addiction), and later works co-authored with his son and others that further explore trauma, attachment, and societal dysfunction. Across all his writings, he combines scientific research with compassionate storytelling, aiming to shift how we understand human suffering—from isolated “disorders” to meaningful, context-rich responses to life.

Maté is widely recognized as a leading voice challenging reductionist views of mental health and illness. He advocates for trauma-informed care, compassionate social policy, and a deeper recognition of the role of early relationships and social environments in shaping who we become.