Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 238: Dr. Raphael E. Cuomo, Ph.D. – Addiction, Cancer & the Biology of Compulsion

In this illuminating episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab sit down with Dr. Rafael Cuomo—biomedical scientist, global health expert, and author of Crave: The Hidden Biology of Addiction and Cancer. Dr. Cuomo dives deep into how chronic addiction—whether to food, substances, screens, or stress—not only hijacks our minds but also reshapes our biology at the molecular level, creating the perfect storm for chronic diseases, including cancer. He explains how overstimulation, emotional dysregulation, and trauma create a “molecular terrain” where disease thrives and recovery becomes more difficult. From childhood adversity to dopamine dysfunction, this conversation is essential listening for anyone working in or affected by addiction, cancer prevention, or public health.