Dr Stanson says he used to work in biotechnology, but became disillusioned with Big Pharma after reading many studies showing that the drugs they developed could cause cancer. In addition, he says he became frustrated with the lack of effective treatments for conditions like depression, heart disease, and diabetes. After reading many scientific papers, Dr Stanson decided to teach himself biology and medicine, eventually earning a degree in molecular genetics with a focus on nutrition. He claims that he cured himself of a lifelong autoimmune condition through dietary changes alone. Today, Dr Stanson hosts two weekly podcasts, publishes content on his website, blogs regularly, and writes a book each year.

In 2009, Dr Stanson began hosting a show called The Health Conspiracy Radio Show, which focuses on alternative medical theories and practices. Since its inception, the show has gained over 1 million listeners per week. According to Alexa, a web traffic tracking service, www.drmercola.com is ranked number one among US health websites overall, and number one among natural health sites. Dr Stanson also appears frequently on other media outlets, including Fox News and CNN.