If the gut and brain are as interconnected as emerging research suggests, it’s no surprise that our mental health, early life experiences, and eating patterns are deeply intertwined.



In this episode, Dr. David Wiss joins Ginger for a powerful conversation about how early adversity, trauma, and mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD influence nutrition and our relationship with food. Dr. Wiss breaks down each of the most common mental health disorders and explains how they intersect to shape behaviors like emotional eating, impulsive eating, and addiction-like patterns. Together, he and Ginger unpack the complexity of restriction and explore how burnout, the gut–brain axis, and inflammation drive eating behaviors in ways that have nothing to do with willpower. If you’re looking to better understand the deep ties between your mind, body, and personal history, this episode offers the clarity and compassion you’ve been searching for.

In this episode, we’ll cover: 

[00:00:00] How early-life trauma affects biology and mental health

[00:02:24] How adversity increases addiction risk and shapes food behaviors

[00:04:48] Food addiction, hedonic eating, and the spectrum of eating patterns

[00:05:52] Depression, inflammation, and how nutrition impacts mood

[00:11:59] How ultra-processed foods are engineered to boost reward

[00:13:38] Why adding fiber and plants helps more than restrictive diets

[00:15:41] How stress and burnout drive emotional and convenience eating

[00:18:47] First steps to uncover emotional roots of eating habits

Connect with Dr. Ginger Hultin on Instagram, LinkedIn or her website. 

Connect with Dr. David Wiss on Instagram, LinkedIn or Website. 

Mentioned in Episode 

• Twice-Baked Protein Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Disclaimer: The material presented in this podcast, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should seek the recommendation of a medical professional regarding a medical condition or treatment or before starting a new nutrition and/or health regimen. 

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