Psychiatrist Dr. Matt Bernstein, CEO of the metabolic psychiatry program Accord, discusses how brain energy metabolism — not just neurotransmitters — may underlie depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and even Alzheimer’s risk decades before symptoms appear. He explains how ketogenic and low-carbohydrate approaches can reduce food noise and cravings for people in food addiction recovery, and compares these dietary interventions to GLP-1 medications. The episode also covers the risks of rapid, unsupported psychiatric medication tapering.

Physician and naturopath Dr. Carolyn Dean, author of “The Magnesium Miracle,” explains how widespread magnesium deficiency may drive fatigue, brain fog, and cravings that don’t resolve even with a “clean” diet. She connects magnesium status to candida/yeast overgrowth and sugar metabolism, and discusses why some people on restrictive diets like keto or carnivore may unknowingly be managing yeast overgrowth. The conversation covers soil depletion, supplement bioavailability, and where to start addressing deficiency.

Registered psychotherapist Brian Baumal, who has over 14 years of food addiction recovery himself, discusses the moment an intense reaction to a piece of chocolate revealed the scale of his own food addiction. He and the hosts explore the difference between adaptive and toxic perfectionism, how to distinguish an addictive relapse from a shame-driven slip, and why using structure and tools in recovery isn’t a sign of weakness.

Cognitive psychologist Dr. Susan Peirce Thompson, founder of Bright Line Eating, discusses her 2025 study reporting six-year outcomes from an abstinence-based food addiction recovery program. She shares her own path from drug addiction to food addiction recovery, the honest story behind her book “ReZoom,” and what her research suggests about long-term, clinically meaningful weight loss through abstinence-based approaches.

Nephrologist and bestselling author Dr. Jason Fung explores whether fasting is safe for people in food addiction recovery, challenging the calorie-centric model of obesity in favor of a hormonal one. He breaks down homeostatic, hedonic, and conditioned hunger, warns against using fasting as post-binge punishment, and shares his take on GLP-1 medications and public policy’s role in addressing ultra-processed food addiction.

Psychologist and former food-industry consultant Dr. Glenn Livingston explains the framework behind his book “Never Binge Again,” built on structured food rules and separating from the “voice” that drives bingeing. Drawing on his own 80-pound weight loss and work with thousands of clients, he discusses why roughly a third of people genuinely need abstinence, and how to handle slips without derailing recovery.

Ophthalmologist and functional medicine practitioner Dr. Radka Toms explains the surprising connection between sugar, gut health, and vision, including how an eye exam can reveal insulin resistance before bloodwork does. She covers the “gut-eye axis,” seven eye conditions linked to metabolic health, and her PFF framework (Protein, Fat, Fiber, Fermented foods) for supporting eye and metabolic health through diet.

Molly Painschab and Clarissa Kennedy dig into shame and stigma as one of the biggest barriers to recovery from ultra-processed food use disorder, drawing on recent in-person retreat conversations. They trace how stigma becomes internalized and why shame rarely drives lasting change, offering self-compassion as a starting point rather than a full solution. The episode distinguishes cognitive and somatic approaches to this work.

Certified nutritional therapist Natalie Peltro shares the food-recovery framework she built after her son, diagnosed with severe nonverbal autism at 18 months, would eat only three foods. She breaks down the biology behind picky eating, including taste sensitivity tied to nutrient deficiency, and introduces her “Four E’s” framework — Expectation, Emotional Intelligence, Environment, and Encouragement. The conversation offers practical, pressure-free strategies for expanding a limited diet in both kids and adults.

Chartered psychologist Dr. Erin Bellamy explains ketogenic metabolic therapy — how carbohydrate restriction can support psychiatric and food addiction recovery by addressing mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, and neuroinflammation. She compares ketogenic therapy to GLP-1 medications for reducing food noise, and discusses practical considerations like MCT oil use and applying the approach to ADHD, bipolar disorder, and vegan clients.

UCLA psychologist Dr. Stephen Sideroff breaks down his Nine Pillars of Resilience model and applies it directly to food addiction recovery. He discusses stress as the primary driver of both addiction and relapse, the role of the inner critic, and why joy is a physiological necessity rather than a luxury. The episode also touches on his current research into resilience and biological aging.

Biomedical engineer Bob Messerschmidt, who helped develop health-sensing technology for the original Apple Watch, discusses a simple inflammation marker called ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and its potential role in recovery. He explains how at-home inflammation tracking could give people an early warning sign before a relapse and create a feedback loop for behavior change. The conversation also covers anti-inflammatory lifestyle changes.