Episode 224: Dr. Eike Buabang - Breaking the Habit Loop: How Our Brains Build—and Battle—Behavior Patterns

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 behavior change.

Whether you’re navigating ultra-processed food recovery, supporting clients in early abstinence, or trying to create new routines that align with your values, this conversation will give you tools, understanding, and encouragement to work with—not against—your brain.

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🔍 In this episode, we cover:

• What is a habit? (and why they’re not just “bad choices”)
• The brain’s habit vs. goal-directed systems: how they interact and conflict
• Why habits persist even after behavior changes
• The impact of stress and how it shifts control from intentional actions to automatic ones
• Why willpower is helpful—but not the whole picture
• Habit stacking and implementation intentions for creating new routines
• How environment and social context influence behavior (for better or worse)
• Personal values, identity, and long-term habit sustainability
• Applications for recovery from addiction, OCD, and UPF use disorder
• How neuroscience can support harm reduction, self-compassion, and individualized care

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👤 Guest Bio:
Dr. Eike Buabang is a cognitive neuroscientist at Trinity College Dublin. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, he investigates how habits form, persist, and influence behavior—especially in contexts like addiction, decision-making, and mental health. His research uses experimental paradigms and EEG to explore the underlying neural mechanisms of habits and how they interact with our goals, environment, and emotional states.

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💬 Quotes to Remember:

“Small consistent actions matter far more than bursts of motivation.” – Dr. Eike Buabang
“The habits remain even when the behavior stops. That’s why managing the cue-response system is so critical.”
“We don’t erase old patterns—we build new ones that can eventually override them.”

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IMPORTANT INFO:

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🚨Interested in the Transform Within Workshop in May 2025 with Vanessa Kreddler? Learn more HERE. 

🍥Interested in the 2025 International Food Addiction and Comorbidities Conference? Learn more HERE. 

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.