In this insightful episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab sit down with Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda to explore the fascinating concept of meta-inflammation and its role in chronic pain, obesity, and addiction. Dr. Padda shares his unique journey and extensive expertise in addressing metabolic dysfunction and inflammation through a sound nutritional approach. Episode Highlights

1. Understanding Meta-Inflammation

   • What is meta-inflammation, and how does it connect chronic pain, obesity, and addiction?
   • The role of the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio in reducing inflammation and improving metabolic health.

2. Food Addiction and Dopamine

   • How processed foods hijack our dopamine systems for profit.
   • Why hyper-processed foods like high-fructose corn syrup and seed oils contribute to addiction and inflammation.

3. Chronic Pain and Inflammation

   • The relationship between metabolic inflammation and the durability of pain treatments.
   • How the overuse of narcotics impacts the body's natural endorphin production and worsens pain.

4. The Gut-Brain Connection

   • Why the gut is the body’s “primary brain” and how gut health influences emotional well-being and addiction.
   • The impact of gut microbiome imbalances, leaky gut, and hyper-processed foods on inflammation and addiction.

5. Historical Context of Processed Foods

   • The origins of food subsidies and how they shaped today’s processed food landscape.
   • The harmful effects of seed oils and trans fats on metabolic and vascular health.

• Food is Addictive by Design: Hyper-processed foods are engineered to trigger dopamine release, reinforcing addictive behaviors.
• Omega-3 to Omega-6 Ratio: Balancing this ratio can reduce inflammation, improve metabolic health, and curb cravings.
• The Role of Meta-Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is at the root of many conditions, including food addiction, and addressing it requires a holistic approach.
• Gut Health is Key: A healthy gut microbiome is crucial for reducing inflammation and improving overall health.
• Processed Foods and Profit: The food industry manipulates ingredients, such as increasing the fructose levels in sweeteners, which drives addiction and metabolic disease.

Stay tuned for part two, where we explore solutions to meta-inflammation, including dietary strategies, reducing processed foods, and restoring gut health to combat food addiction.

Website: https://painmd.tv/

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Email us at [email protected] or connect with us on social media:

• Website: www.foodjunkiespodcast.com

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.

In this heartfelt and enlightening conversation, we sit down with Dr. Rhona Epstein, a licensed psychologist, food addiction counselor, and author, to explore the intricacies of food addiction recovery. Dr. Rhona shares her personal journey from battling bulimia and food addiction as a teenager to finding recovery and dedicating her life to helping others overcome similar struggles.

With deep vulnerability, Dr. Rhona dives into the critical role of community, spirituality, and self-compassion in recovery. She emphasizes the importance of understanding food addiction as an emotional and physiological issue, unpacking the dynamics of family, shame, and cultural pressures that often contribute to the cycle of addiction.

Through relatable anecdotes and practical advice, Dr. Rhona inspires hope and provides actionable steps for listeners, whether they are in recovery themselves, supporting a loved one, or working in the field of addiction.

Key Takeaways:

• The Role of Community: Dr. Rhona highlights how recovery groups provide a safe space for individuals to connect, find hope, and realize they are not alone in their struggles.
• Family Dynamics and Food Addiction: She shares insights on how childhood experiences and family relationships can shape food addiction, offering advice for parents and individuals navigating these challenges.
• Finding the Right Food Plan: Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Dr. Rhona discusses the importance of trial and error in finding a food plan that works for each individual’s unique needs.
• Rewiring the Brain: Practices like mindfulness, spiritual exploration, and consistent self-care can help create lasting change in one's relationship with food.
• Shame and Self-Compassion: It is crucial to address the deep-seated shame many feel about their bodies and eating behaviors. Dr. Rhona underscores the need for self-kindness and dismantling negative self-talk.
• Spirituality as a Tool for Healing: From her own experience, Dr. Rhona explains how faith, surrender, and spiritual practices can be transformative in recovery.

Memorable Quote: *"Surrender isn’t about losing control—it’s about trusting that letting go of what no longer serves you can lead to something better." – Dr. Rhona Epstein

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Rhona Epstein’s Books
• Dr. Rhona's Website
• The Satisfied Experience with Dr. Rhona 

Connect with Us:

• Website: https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/
• YouTube
• Subscribe to the Podcast

Next Episode: Stay tuned for our next episode where we’ll dive deeper into the science with another incredible expert!

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.

In this powerful episode of the Food Junkies podcast, host CJ Nguy sits down with Samantha Wendt, a Certified Master Herbalist and Certified Food Addiction Mentor, to discuss her incredible journey of recovery. Samantha opens up about her struggles with bullying, trauma, and sugar addiction and how these challenges impacted her health and well-being. Through holistic healing, spiritual growth, and unwavering determination, Samantha transformed her life, reclaiming her health and purpose.

This episode is packed with raw vulnerability, valuable insights, and inspiring lessons on the importance of nourishing both body and soul. It's a heartfelt reminder that transformation is possible with the right mindset, support, and determination.

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough."

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at [email protected] 

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email [email protected] 

If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/.

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.

Dr. Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC, is an adjunct professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). He has led numerous research studies investigating the effects of diet on diabetes, body weight, and chronic pain, including a groundbreaking study of dietary interventions in type 2 diabetes, funded by the National Institutes of Health, that paved the way for viewing type 2 diabetes as a potentially reversible condition for many patients.   Dr. Barnard has authored more than 100 scientific publications and 20 books for medical and lay readers, and is the editor-in-chief of the Nutrition Guide for Clinicians, a textbook made available to all U.S. medical students. As president of PCRM, he leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research. His research contributed to the acceptance of plant-based diets in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In 2015, he was named a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. In 2016, he founded the Barnard Medical Center in Washington, D.C., as a model for making nutrition a routine part of all medical care.   Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Dr. Barnard received his M.D. degree at the George Washington University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the same institution. He practiced at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York before returning to Washington to found PCRM. Dr. Barnard has hosted four PBS television programs on nutrition and health and is frequently called on by news programs to discuss issues related to nutrition and research. 

In this epsiode CJ interviews Alicea about her journey in food addiction and recovery. Alecia is a free spirit with an authentic and infectious energy. Her genuine nature draws people in, and her unwavering support makes them an invaluable mentor. Alecia's unique perspective and creative approach to life inspire those around them to embrace their true selves. With a heart full of compassion and a mind full of wisdom, she guides others on their journeys of self-discovery and personal growth. Together they emphasize the importance of community, support, and self-compassion in their healing processes. They also share their experiences with weight management, menopause, and different diets, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to recovery and the importance of understanding one's body and its changes. Lastly, they discussed the significance of routine, discipline, and patience in making changes towards a healthier lifestyle. 

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough."

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at [email protected] 

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email [email protected] 

If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/.

Shelly-Anne McKay Shelly-Anne McKay is a Master Certified Coach and Food Addiction Specialist with over 30 years of experience in coaching and recovery. After overcoming addictions to substances and ultra-processed foods, she founded Soul Sisters United, a global recovery platform, and developed a certification program for food addiction coaches. Passionate about empowering individuals and training professionals, Shelly-Anne is a leader in the food addiction recovery field, dedicated to promoting healing and resilience.

Elena Garcia Elena Garcia is a Food Addiction Specialist who transformed her own struggles with emotional eating into a mission to help others. After overcoming work burnout, losing 155 pounds, and earning a degree in Psychology, she now empowers clients to heal their relationship with food. Elena creates compassionate, safe spaces for individuals to address unhealthy habits and build strategies for a thriving, joyful, and balanced life.

Key Takeaways: Understanding Food Addiction as a Coping Mechanism: Elena shares her personal story of using food to self-soothe during tough times, from growing up in a family that used food to cope with stress to facing burnout and turning to food for comfort. Shelly-Anne highlights how her own recovery from substance abuse uncovered her ultra-processed food addiction and how this realization inspired her work.

The Role of Mental Health in Recovery: Elena's decision to study psychology led her to explore the deep connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, influencing her compassionate approach to food addiction recovery. Both women emphasize the importance of addressing the emotional roots of addiction rather than focusing solely on dieting or weight loss.

Compassion in Recovery: Shelly-Anne stresses the value of self-compassion, especially after setbacks like binges, offering practical advice on breaking the binge cycle. Both guests advocate for creating safe spaces where individuals feel supported and understood throughout their healing journey.

Professional Training for Food Addiction Recovery: Shelly-Anne discusses her Professional Food Addiction Coach Certification program, which equips wellness professionals with tools to support clients effectively. She highlights why choosing the right coach or professional is crucial for recovery.

Recognizing Emotional Triggers: Elena and Shelly-Anne share strategies to help people identify when they’re eating due to emotional triggers rather than physical hunger, a critical step in developing a healthier relationship with food.

Empathy and Innovation in Food Addiction Coaching: Shelly-Anne explains how empathy is at the heart of her coaching philosophy and how she instills this value in the professionals she trains. Looking ahead, they both share insights on the evolving landscape of food addiction treatment, including innovative modalities and broader awareness.

Advice for Those Feeling Stuck: Practical tips and words of encouragement for anyone struggling with ultra-processed food addiction, emphasizing small steps, self-forgiveness, and finding the right support.

PROFESSIONAL FOOD ADDICTION COACH (PFAC) CERTIFICATION: https://www.shellyannemckay.com/foodaddictioncourse

Food Addiction Support Group: https://www.soulsistersunited.com

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.

Dr. Olivardia is a clinical psychologist, lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Associate at McLean Hospital. He maintains a private practice in Lexington, MA, where he specializes in the treatment of ADHD, executive functioning issues, and issues that face students with learning differences. He is a recognized expert in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He is on the Professional Advisory Boards for Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) and The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), as well as sits on the Scientific Advisory Board for ADDitude and the Expert Network for Understood. He is co-author of The Adonis Complex, a book which details the various manifestations of body image problems in males. He has appeared in publications such as Time, GQ, and Rolling Stone, and has been featured on Good Morning America, Extra, CBS This Morning, CNN, and VH1. He has spoken on numerous radio and webinar shows and presents at many talks and conferences around the country. He also has lived experience as someone with ADHD and learning differences and a parent of two teenagers with ADHD and Dyslexia.

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.

What if overcoming food addiction isn't about changing yourself but about identifying and releasing foreign influences within your mind? In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman sits down with Robert Falconer to dive into the concept of "unattached burdens" and explore how these external influences may drive our cravings. Falconer, an expert in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy, is the author of "The Others Within Us: Internal Family Systems, Porous Mind, and Spirit Possession," which examines how unattached burdens might be impacting our behaviors and addictions.

Robert Falconer holds an undergraduate degree in cultural anthropology with a focus on the history of religions and a master's degree in psychology. With over 50 years of experience in psychotherapy, Falconer specializes in IFS Therapy and has authored multiple books, including a co-authored work with IFS founder Richard Schwartz. His latest book introduces the concept of unattached burdens, blending psychological insights with a spiritual dimension that challenges traditional Western views of the mind. 

Episode Highlights: Personal Journey: Falconer shares his career evolution over five decades, moving from Gestalt therapy to IFS and beyond. Insights into navigating criticism and maintaining an open, resilient approach.

Understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS): Falconer introduces IFS, explaining its basic concepts and how it frames addiction as a struggle between internal "selves." A look at how Falconer’s ideas diverge from the traditional IFS approach, particularly with the theory of unattached burdens.

Exploring "The Others Within Us": What are unattached burdens, and are they literal or metaphorical? Discussion on the "citadel theory of mind" and how unattached burdens challenge conventional views of selfhood. How unattached burdens differ from conditions like dissociative identity disorder.

The Concept of a Porous Mind: The "porous mind" as a way to understand openness to external influences. How this concept redefines addiction and compulsive behaviors, offering an alternative approach to understanding cravings.

Unattached Burdens and Spirit Possession: Drawing parallels between spirit possession across cultures and psychological theories in the West. Exploring whether these burdens are akin to Jungian archetypes. Can unattached burdens be viewed as a metaphor, or must they be taken literally for therapeutic success?

Evidence and Ethical Considerations: Falconer discusses the evidence for external influences on thought and behavior. Ethical questions surrounding spirit guides in therapy and the use of hallucinogens for accessing these influences.

Applying These Ideas to Food Addiction: How unattached burdens might provide new insights into food cravings and compulsive eating. Potential applications of spirit guides or ancestral influences in addressing food addiction. Considering parallels between "unattached burdens" and the "red dog" in Food Addiction (FA) frameworks.

Connect with Robert Falconer: Website: https://robertfalconer.us

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.

🎧 Clinicians Corner on Nervous System Regulation in Food Addiction Recovery 🎧

💡 Top Insights A Broader Mission: Clinicians Corner is here to spread practical interventions from food addiction recovery and empower both clinicians and non-clinicians, like recovery coaches, with actionable tools.

🧠 Nervous System Basics Fight, Flight, Freeze: Key states that influence our actions. Understanding and moving between sympathetic (stress) and parasympathetic (calm) states can change how we respond to cravings. Body-Brain Connection: 80% of body-to-brain communication underscores how physical sensations impact recovery. Think of the body as the “horse,” guiding the brain’s “rider.”

🛠️ Practical Tools for Regulation Sigh It Out: Deep breaths and the “physiological sigh” (two quick inhales, one long exhale) reset the body in moments of overwhelm. Simple Movements: Light stretching, progressive muscle relaxation, and finger movements help release pent-up energy. Grounding Senses: Engage your environment with the 5-4-3-2-1 technique (seeing, touching, hearing, smelling, tasting). Scents like lavender or your favorite aromas can bring a sense of peace.

📅 Daily Pre-Meal Practices Mini-Rituals: Brief walks, calming music, or being near nature before meals can ease digestion and reduce cravings. Self-Compassionate Touch: Hugging yourself or placing a hand on your chest for a few seconds promotes calm, especially if you’re working through complex emotions or past trauma.

🌿 Why Nervous System Care Matters Healing from Trauma: Trauma often results in hypervigilance or emotional collapse. Recognizing these responses in yourself and practicing grounding tools helps create safety from within. Community & Co-Regulation: Group settings, supportive peers, and even animals can offer regulatory “energy” and mirror a sense of calm for those struggling with addiction recovery.

🎯 Remember Consistency, not perfection, is key! Practicing these tools regularly makes it easier to access them during high-stress moments. We invite you to share your topic suggestions with us! Please email us at [email protected].

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.

Connect with Molly and Clarissa Website: https://www.sweetsobriety.ca  Email: [email protected]