Episode 225: Dr. Vera Tarman & Bitten Jonsson Reflect on Food Addiction Recovery
Food Junkies Podcast
In this extraordinary episode, Food Junkies host Dr. Vera Tarman turns the mic on herself—joined by Swedish trailblazer Bitten Jonsson—for a deeply personal, no-holds-barred conversation on their parallel journeys through food addiction, recovery, and advocacy. With over 60 years of combined experience in addiction medicine, Vera and Bitten walk us through the moments they first recognized their struggles with food and sugar, the evolving science of addiction, and how their professional paths have shaped the global conversation around Ultra-Processed Food Addiction. 💡 What You’ll Hear...
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Episode 224: Dr. Eike Buabang - Breaking the Habit Loop: How Our Brains Build—and Battle—Behavior Patterns
Food Junkies Podcast
In this powerful and timely conversation, we welcome Dr. Eike Buabang, cognitive neuroscientist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin, to explore one of the most fundamental yet overlooked topics in recovery: habits. Dr. Buabang studies the brain mechanisms behind habit formation—why we repeat behaviors even when they no longer serve us, and how stress, repetition, and environment shape our choices. Drawing from both neuroscience and real-world applications, he offers practical insights into how we can intentionally disrupt compulsive patterns and support lasting...
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Episode 223: Clinicians Corner - From Survival to Self-Compassion: Understanding Our Protective Behaviors
Food Junkies Podcast
In this thought-provoking Clinician’s Corner episode, Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab dive deep into the ever-popular term “self-sabotage” — and why they believe it’s not only inaccurate but potentially harmful in the context of food addiction recovery. Together, they explore how behaviors often labeled as self-sabotage are actually maladaptive coping strategies, formed through years of survival. These are not signs of brokenness, but evidence of brilliance in navigating pain, trauma, and unmet needs. The duo discusses how using shame-based language like “chronic...
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Episode 222: Dr. David Wiss - Food Addiction or Eating Disorder? Rethinking the Divide
Food Junkies Podcast
In this powerful and deeply nuanced episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab welcome back Dr. David Wiss to explore one of the most important—and often misunderstood—topics in the field: the intersection of food addiction and eating disorders. With his unique background in both nutrition and public health, Dr. Wiss walks us through the historical divide between the food addiction and eating disorder communities, the philosophical and clinical tensions between rigidity and flexibility, and how trauma, ACEs, and access to food complicate both diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're a...
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Episode 221: Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis - Food Insecurity and Food Addiction
Food Junkies Podcast
In this powerful episode of Food Junkies, we dive deep into the intersection of food insecurity and food addiction with special guest Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis. Dr. Parnarouskis, a researcher specializing in food addiction and public health, shares groundbreaking insights on how socioeconomic factors and access to food impact addiction-like eating behaviors. From her research at the Food and Addiction Science and Treatment Lab to her latest studies on the role of stress, intermittent access to food, and ultra-processed food consumption, Dr. Parnarouskis sheds light on the social justice...
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Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 25: Sharon Gregg
Food Junkies Podcast
In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Food Junkies, CJ sits down with her friend and colleague, Sharon Gregg, to explore Sharon’s deeply personal story of food addiction and recovery. From childhood dreams of streets paved with chocolate to decades of yo-yo dieting and the relentless voice of sugar calling her name, Sharon’s story is one many will find achingly familiar. Sharon opens up about her early experiences with dieting, the cultural messages around food and body image she absorbed, and how her battle with sugar addiction intensified during menopause. Listen as Sharon shares...
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Episode 220: Dr. Weaver (The Link Between Ultra-Processed Food and Alzheimer’s)
Food Junkies Podcast
In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Dr. Donald Weaver, a world-renowned expert on Alzheimer’s disease, its causes, and its treatment. Dr. Weaver, a Canadian neurologist, chemist, and researcher at the University of Toronto, has made significant contributions to our understanding of cognitive diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s. His groundbreaking work suggests that Alzheimer’s is not just an inherited brain disorder but also an autoimmune condition triggered by environmental toxins, including metals, plastics, pesticides, and—most relevant to our...
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Episode 219: Clinicians Corner - The Importance of Belonging in Recovery
Food Junkies Podcast
Hosts Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab explore the critical theme of belonging in recovery. They discuss the concept of "othering"—feeling unseen, unheard, or misunderstood—and its deep impact on individuals in their healing journeys. The episode is framed around a powerful quote from George Orwell about the loneliness of being misunderstood, setting the stage for a rich discussion on attachment, connection, and the need for belonging. Clarissa and Molly share personal experiences of feeling different, whether in family dynamics, social settings, or recovery groups. They examine how...
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Episode 218: Nick Norwitz (Part 2) Navigating Metabolism, Carnivore Diet, and Food Myths
Food Junkies Podcast
In this episode, we welcome back Nick Norwitz for Part 2 of our deep dive into metabolism, food addiction, and dietary nuances. We cover everything from broken metabolisms to the role of hormones in weight regulation, the impact of glycemic load, and the ongoing debate about fruit, dairy, olive oil, and the carnivore diet. If you've ever wondered about food science versus food fear-mongering, this is the episode for you! Key Topics Discussed: 1. Understanding “Broken Metabolism” The difference between metabolic dysfunction and metabolic perception. The role of insulin and other hormones...
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Episode 217: Nick Norwitz (Part 1)
Food Junkies Podcast
In this compelling episode of Food Junkies, we welcome Dr. Nick Norwitz, a researcher, educator, and metabolic health advocate whose mission is to "Make Metabolic Health Mainstream." Dr. Norwitz, a valedictorian from Dartmouth, PhD in Metabolism from Oxford, and an MD candidate at Harvard Medical School, shares his journey with severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This struggle led him to discover the life-changing power of a ketogenic diet. His transformation inspired his relentless curiosity to challenge outdated medical paradigms and explore cutting-edge...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman sits down with Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett, a Stanford-trained neurologist and migraine expert with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Barrett shares her professional insights and personal journey with migraines, exploring their genetic basis, root causes, and treatment options. This comprehensive conversation covers everything from diet and hormonal influences to toxins and integrative medicine approaches.
Dr. Barrett founded Migraine Relief Code, an online platform offering integrative tools for migraine sufferers, and has a popular 2023 TED Talk on migraines. She advocates for addressing migraines early, focusing on root causes rather than just masking symptoms.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
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Migraine Basics and Misconceptions:
- The key differences between migraines and tension headaches.
- Why many people with migraines are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
- Understanding “migraine brain” and the importance of early intervention.
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Root Causes of Migraines:
- Nutrients: How deficiencies in essential nutrients like omega-3s and vitamin D impact brain health.
- Gut Health: The link between leaky gut, inflammation, and migraine triggers.
- Toxins: How environmental toxins impair mitochondria and contribute to chronic pain.
- Hormones and Adrenals: The role of stress, cortisol depletion, and hormonal fluctuations in migraines.
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Diet and Lifestyle Tips:
- The importance of balancing blood sugar to reduce migraine frequency.
- How processed foods and sugar impact migraines and mimic addictive eating patterns.
- Why a ketogenic or whole-food, plant-based diet may help manage symptoms.
- The role of alcohol and endocrine disruptors in triggering migraines.
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Integrative Approaches to Treatment:
- Biohacking tools are used to monitor and shift the body from "fight or flight" to recovery mode.
- Why a personalized recovery plan addressing underlying issues is critical.
- The benefits and limitations of medications, injections, and other pharmaceutical treatments.
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Research and Future Directions:
- The emerging role of genomic research and precision medicine in migraine treatment.
- How toxins and processed foods contribute to broader neurological conditions.
Follow Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett:
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- Website: Migraine Relief Code
- Free Migraine Masterclass
- YouTube Channel: Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett
- Download her eBook: The Food Code
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Referenced Topics:
- Watch Dr. Barrett’s 2023 TED Talk on migraines.
- Learn about genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and their impact on migraine genetics.
- Explore her online courses for navigating precision medicine and migraine recovery.
Let’s Connect:
- Email: [email protected]
- Follow Sweet Sobriety for updates on workshops, conferences, and recovery tools.
Thank You for Listening! We’re grateful to have you on this journey. Remember: Recovery is about progress, perseverance, and connection. You’ve got this! 💪
The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.