Healthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging

In this episode, I discuss what drives hunger and satiety, and the role our brain, stomach, fat and hormones play in regulating hunger and turning off the desire to eat more. I also address how protein is assimilated better early in the day than it is later in the day, and why those using intermittent fasting might want to shift their feeding window to earlier in the day.

Then I delve into the topic of disorders of eating: Anorexia Nervosa, where people starve themselves and Bulimia Nervosa where people binge and purge their food. I discuss some common myths about Anorexia such as the role of media images increasing the rates of anorexia and the myth of the "perfectionist" anorexic. I also review the symptoms, and the brain and chemical systems disrupted in this condition. I explain how anorexics become hyperaware of the fat content of foods and develop reflexive habits of fat-hyperawareness. Then I discuss the most effective treatments ranging from family-based models to those that target the habitual nature of low-fat/calorie food choices. I also discuss new more experimental clinical trials on MDMA, Psilocybin and Ibogaine for Anorexia, and both their promise and risks

I review the latest work on binge eating disorder and brain stimulation, drug treatments and thyroid disruption in Bulimia and why the treatments for Bulimia are so similar to those for ADHD. Finally, I discuss "cheat days," body dysmorphia and the growing list of novel forms of eating disorders start to finish. As always, science and science-based tools are discussed.

Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Introduction: Fasting, & Defining Healthy Eating  

00:08:55 Morning Protein Is Important  

00:22:21 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up

00:26:29 Defining & Diagnosing Eating Disorders  

00:29:00 Anorexia Nervosa (Overview & Myths)  

00:33:44 Bulimia (Overview & Myths)  

00:37:35 Binge Eating Disorders, EDNOS, OSFEDS, Pica  

00:39:44 What is Hunger? What is Satiety?  

00:42:00 Neuronal & Hormonal “Accelerators & Brakes” on Eating  

00:46:17 Fat, Leptin & Fertility & Metabolic Dysfunctions in Obesity  

00:50:30 Why We Overeat  

00:55:30 Homeostasis & Reward Systems/Decisions  

00:59:58 Anorexia  

01:04:28 The Cholesterol Paradox  

01:06:13 Psychological vs. Biological/Genetic Factors in Anorexia  

01:09:44 Chemical Imbalances, Serotonergic Treatments  

01:12:56 Altered Habits & Rewards in Anorexia: Hyperacuity for Fat Content  

01:18:28 Brain Areas for Reward Based Decision Making vs. Habits  

01:24:06 Habit-Reward Circuits Are Flipped in Anorexics: Reward for Deprivation  

01:28:30 How Do You Break a Habit?  

01:33:23 Family Based Models, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  

01:35:39 MDMA, Psilocybin, Clinical Trials, Ibogaine  

01:40:35 Anabolic vs. Catabolic Exercise, Spontaneous Movements, NEAT  

01:43:23 Distorted Self Image in Anorexia  

01:47:54 Bulimia & Binge-Eating, “Cheat Days”, Thyroid Hormone  

01:53:05 Inhibitory Control, Impulsivity, Adderall, Wellbutrin  

01:58:00 Direct Brain Stimulation: Nucleus Accumbens  

02:04:28 Anorexia/Reward vs. Bulimia/Binging  

02:05:45 Healthy Eating Revisited  

02:10:55 Synthesis, Body Dysmorphias  

02:14:15 Support: Podcast, & Research Studies  

Disclaimer & Disclosures