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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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 speaks with Dr. Jon Davis, a principal investigator on the study Changes in Alcohol Use After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Davis is a principal scientist at Nova Nordisk, where he researches how gut-brain signaling mechanisms regulate appetite and metabolic disorders. His work explores the neurobiological connections between obesity, bariatric surgery, and substance use disorders—examining how bariatric procedures may increase the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) through gut microbiome and brain reward pathway alterations.
The Food Junkies Podcast team is particularly interested in whether similar mechanisms might predispose post-bariatric surgery patients to sugar or food addiction.
What We Discuss in This Episode:
🔹 Dr. Davis’ Background & Research Journey – From an interest in neuroscience and memory formation to studying brain plasticity, substance use, and ultimately, bariatric surgery.
🔹 Unexpected Discoveries – How interviews with post-bariatric surgery patients and their spouses revealed a pattern of increased alcohol consumption.
🔹 Clinical Findings – Research has consistently shown that some patients who were low consumers of alcohol pre-surgery develop AUD post-surgery, while frequent drinkers pre-surgery may actually reduce their consumption afterward.
🔹 Mechanisms at Play:
- Gut Rewiring & Alcohol Sensitivity – How changes in gut absorption impact blood alcohol levels.
- Hormonal Influences – The role of GLP-1 and ghrelin in regulating appetite, alcohol consumption, and cravings.
- Dopamine & Reward Pathways – The link between obesity, food reward, and neurochemical changes post-surgery.
🔹 Rodent Models & Sugar Sensitivity – Research demonstrating that bariatric surgery increases rodents’ sensitivity to both alcohol and sugar, potentially explaining post-surgery changes in cravings.
🔹 Long-Term Outcomes & Weight Regain – Data suggests that 30–50% of bariatric surgery patients regain weight within five years. What are the implications for food addiction recovery?
🔹 Pharmacological & Surgical Interventions – Comparisons between bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications (such as Ozempic and Mounjaro) in regulating appetite and cravings.
🔹 The Debate on Food Addiction – Where the scientific community stands on whether food addiction should be classified as an addiction akin to substance use disorders.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Bariatric surgery alters the gut-brain axis, leading to changes in both alcohol and sugar sensitivity.
✔ Some post-surgical patients are at increased risk for developing AUD due to heightened alcohol absorption and reward pathway changes.
✔ Neurobiological and hormonal factors contribute to food cravings and hedonic eating post-surgery.
✔ Obesity is often associated with low dopamine levels, and bariatric surgery may help restore dopamine balance, reducing food cravings.
✔ Long-term post-surgery weight regain is common, raising questions about sustainable solutions for metabolic disorders.
Future Directions & Research Needs:
🧪 Neuroscience of Post-Bariatric Surgery – More studies are needed on brain dopamine changes post-surgery.
📊 Longitudinal Studies – Tracking post-surgical patients' eating behaviors, alcohol consumption, and cravings over time.
🧠 Behavioral & Psychological Interventions – Combining pharmacology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and digital tools to personalize weight loss and addiction treatment.
💡 Preventive Approaches – Identifying high-risk individuals pre-surgery to provide better education and support for long-term success.
Final Thoughts from Dr. Davis:
"If I could give my younger self advice, I’d say: Keep an open mind. Science is about asking what if and following the data wherever it leads."
Resources & Links:
🔗 Study: Changes in Alcohol Use After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
🔗 Learn more about Dr. John Davis’ research at Nova Nordisk
🔗 Food Junkies Podcast – Subscribe for more episodes on food addiction, recovery, and science-backed solutions
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you experienced changes in alcohol or food cravings post-bariatric surgery? Let us know in Vera's Facebook Group: Sugar-Free for Life: I'm Sweet Enough
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.