Can Food Heal Addiction? Dr. David Wiss Explains S02E13

In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, Christina Veselak sits down with Dr. David Wiss, a pioneering dietitian and researcher at the intersection of nutrition, addiction recovery, and mental health. Together, they explore the powerful question: Can food heal addiction?

Dr. Wiss shares his personal and professional journey from studying nutrition and substance use at UCLA to creating Wise Mind Nutrition, an app and functional medicine approach designed to support emotional wellbeing through food. Christina and David dive deep into how trauma, gut health, and neurotransmitter balance influence recovery — and why nutrition should be a cornerstone of mental health care.

You’ll learn about:

• The link between food, mood, and addiction recovery

• How amino acids and real food can repair brain chemistry

• The importance of functional lab testing for mental health

• Why one-size-fits-all diets don’t work — and how to personalize nutrition

• The emerging science of nutritional psychiatry and functional medicine

Whether you’re a clinician, in recovery, or simply curious about how food impacts the brain, this conversation will inspire you to view nutrition as a key part of healing from the inside out.

Meet our Guest

David Wiss, PhD, is a mental health scientist and registered dietitian nutritionist. He founded Nutrition in Recovery, a group practice based in Los Angeles, CA, that integrates nutritional care into substance use disorder treatment. Dr. Wiss also founded the Wise Mind Nutrition mobile app, which bridges the gap between nutrition and mental health. As a clinician and researcher, he has over a decade of experience working one-on-one with patients. He has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed journal articles on topics related to disordered eating and ultra-processed food addiction. Dr. Wiss is dedicated to disrupting the status quo and contributing innovative solutions to the mental health crisis.

Website: https://drdavidwiss.com/
Website: https://nutritioninrecovery.com/
Wise Mind Nutrition App: https://wisemindnutrition.com/
Instagram: @drdavidwiss

Discover More Unlock a world of resources at https://aminoacidtherapy.com/ where you’ll find expert insights, transformative training, and actionable tools to support your recovery journey. Whether you're looking for professional courses like our Level 1 Core Training

Learn more at https://feedtherecoveringbrain.com 
Support Our Mission Check out our nonprofit initiative, Eating Protein Saves Lives, at https://eatingproteinsaveslives.org/  Learn how we’re improving lives and communities through better nutrition, the science of amino acid therapy, and our simple yet powerful message: Eat protein every 4 hours.

Also, if you’re just starting out or want a solid foundation, check out Eat: A Guide to Radiant Recovery Using Food and Amino Acids to Repair the Addicted Brain and Reduce Cravings by Christina Veselak. It’s a clear, powerful intro to the core concepts. Grab your copy here: https://www.eatforrecovery.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information shared is meant to inform and empower listeners but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care and treatment.

Music by: Bensound
License code: GFZAESIUP3ZUNGXM

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Let’s make nutrition part of the conversation for lasting recovery.