Episode
Healthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
2:16:00
Published: Mon Sep 06 2021
Description
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. For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Thesis: https://takethesis.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Introduction: Fasting, & Defining Healthy Eating (00:08:55) Morning Protein Is Important (00:22:21) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT, Thesis, Momentous (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 Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer
Chapters
This podcast discusses the benefits of intermittent fasting and the importance of electrolytes in the body during fasting periods.
00:00 - 03:07 (03:07)
Summary
This podcast discusses the benefits of intermittent fasting and the importance of electrolytes in the body during fasting periods. It also touches on clinical eating disorders and their relationship to fasting.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
A study examined the impact of emphasizing protein intake, including branched chain amino acids and amino acids like leucine, on early or late-day muscle hypertrophy.
03:08 - 12:08 (09:00)
Summary
A study examined the impact of emphasizing protein intake, including branched chain amino acids and amino acids like leucine, on early or late-day muscle hypertrophy. While the timing of food intake doesn't necessarily affect metabolism or weight loss, consuming protein earlier in the day may lead to better muscle protein synthesis.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
According to a study, ingesting protein and amino acids early in the day can lead to more muscle hypertrophy and growth or maintenance of muscle, as opposed to ingesting it later in the day.
12:08 - 18:00 (05:52)
Summary
According to a study, ingesting protein and amino acids early in the day can lead to more muscle hypertrophy and growth or maintenance of muscle, as opposed to ingesting it later in the day. This is due to the fact that our bodies can utilize the proteins ingested early in the day better than those ingested later in the day.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Ingestion of quality proteins early in the day, specifically when you wake up and your muscle cells are primed, are better incorporated into muscle synthesis than proteins ingested later in the day.
18:00 - 27:38 (09:37)
Summary
Ingestion of quality proteins early in the day, specifically when you wake up and your muscle cells are primed, are better incorporated into muscle synthesis than proteins ingested later in the day. This is important to note for individuals looking to build muscle, regardless of their weight training habits and for the treatment of eating disorders.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Host Rhonda Patrick speaks with Dr. Cynthia Bulik on the prevelance and classification of eating disorders today, and the biological contribution to anorexia nervosa.
27:38 - 39:34 (11:56)
Summary
Host Rhonda Patrick speaks with Dr. Cynthia Bulik on the prevelance and classification of eating disorders today, and the biological contribution to anorexia nervosa.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Leptin is a hormone secreted by the body fat that regulates hunger, and plays an important role in reproductive health.
39:34 - 52:31 (12:56)
Summary
Leptin is a hormone secreted by the body fat that regulates hunger, and plays an important role in reproductive health. The subconscious relationship between this hormone, our food choices, and brain activity can lead us to better understand healthy eating and improve treatment of eating disorders.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Dr. Halpern explains that the brain's circuits associated with homeostatic processes and reward processes around food drive hunger and respond to the properties of food in a reflexive way, causing primitive reflexes to ingest more food as quickly as possible.
52:31 - 58:59 (06:28)
Summary
Dr. Halpern explains that the brain's circuits associated with homeostatic processes and reward processes around food drive hunger and respond to the properties of food in a reflexive way, causing primitive reflexes to ingest more food as quickly as possible.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
This episode explores the different interventions for eating disorders, whether it be a drug-based, behavioral, or social intervention, and how they can tap into the thinking pattern around food, balance of energy systems, and the reward system.
58:59 - 1:06:44 (07:44)
Summary
This episode explores the different interventions for eating disorders, whether it be a drug-based, behavioral, or social intervention, and how they can tap into the thinking pattern around food, balance of energy systems, and the reward system. It also discusses the cryptic symptom of anorexics having high levels of cholesterol, which challenges the dietary cholesterol hypothesis.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Anorexics have a hyper awareness of the fat content of food and actively avoid high fat content and calorie-rich foods, while defaulting towards very low calorie foods.
1:06:44 - 1:16:13 (09:28)
Summary
Anorexics have a hyper awareness of the fat content of food and actively avoid high fat content and calorie-rich foods, while defaulting towards very low calorie foods. Serotonin makes neural circuits quiet down, which triggers a sense of satiety, and anorexics tend to have lower levels of this neuromodulator in their brains.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Anorexic brains have unhealthy habits attached to their reward systems that give them a chemical reward for avoiding certain foods and approaching low-calorie ones.
1:16:13 - 1:27:25 (11:12)
Summary
Anorexic brains have unhealthy habits attached to their reward systems that give them a chemical reward for avoiding certain foods and approaching low-calorie ones. The anorexic brain rewards the suppression of high-calorie food intake and focuses on consumption of low-fat, low-calorie foods via the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which drives their habits of food avoidance.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Anorexia is a reflex that perpetuates the individual’s perception about themselves that won’t work if they’re told about the terrible things that are happening within their body.
1:27:25 - 1:32:55 (05:29)
Summary
Anorexia is a reflex that perpetuates the individual’s perception about themselves that won’t work if they’re told about the terrible things that are happening within their body. The strategies for battling anorexia involve teaching the individual about internal state and interoception while challenging their set shifting ability.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Clinical trials at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine explore how drugs like MDMA and psilocybin in a therapeutic environment can help people rewire their brains, find relief from major depression and various forms of trauma; the data so far is looking promising, but the clinical trials are still not done.
1:32:55 - 1:39:02 (06:07)
Summary
Clinical trials at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine explore how drugs like MDMA and psilocybin in a therapeutic environment can help people rewire their brains, find relief from major depression and various forms of trauma; the data so far is looking promising, but the clinical trials are still not done.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Studies show that encouraging anorexics to shift from exercising in a neurotic, catabolic way to resistance training and building muscle can be beneficial, as well as learning to see food as a way to nourish the body and support this process.
1:39:02 - 1:52:05 (13:03)
Summary
Studies show that encouraging anorexics to shift from exercising in a neurotic, catabolic way to resistance training and building muscle can be beneficial, as well as learning to see food as a way to nourish the body and support this process. It's important in anorexics to not constantly focus on balancing food intake with activity, and to develop better habits around food and changing their behaviour.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Medications used to treat ADHD, like Adderall and Vivants, can also aid in treating bulimia and binge eating disorder as they increase serotonin levels, dopaminergic and adrenergic tone in the brain leading to more top-down control and hyper-focus.
1:52:05 - 1:58:55 (06:49)
Summary
Medications used to treat ADHD, like Adderall and Vivants, can also aid in treating bulimia and binge eating disorder as they increase serotonin levels, dopaminergic and adrenergic tone in the brain leading to more top-down control and hyper-focus.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
Researchers at Stanford have found that placing a wire into a specific area of the brain and stimulating it can help offset the activity patterns that lead to an elevated sense of reward from food and binge eating, potentially leading to non-invasive treatments such as drug treatments in the future.
1:58:55 - 2:06:32 (07:37)
Summary
Researchers at Stanford have found that placing a wire into a specific area of the brain and stimulating it can help offset the activity patterns that lead to an elevated sense of reward from food and binge eating, potentially leading to non-invasive treatments such as drug treatments in the future.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
The prevalence of eating disorders and related deaths is likened to automobile accidents and should be considered alongside the issue of what constitutes healthy eating in today’s media landscape.
2:06:32 - 2:14:56 (08:23)
Summary
The prevalence of eating disorders and related deaths is likened to automobile accidents and should be considered alongside the issue of what constitutes healthy eating in today’s media landscape. Meditation practices have also proven useful in helping individuals with related anxiety disorders.
EpisodeHealthy Eating & Eating Disorders - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
PodcastHuberman Lab
The knowledge of knowledge leads to the phenomenon of neuroplasticity, which translates into doing better over time, making doing better reflexive.
2:14:56 - 2:16:54 (01:58)
Summary
The knowledge of knowledge leads to the phenomenon of neuroplasticity, which translates into doing better over time, making doing better reflexive. The podcast also mentions a tax-deductible donation for research and supplements related to neural circuits, stress, sleep, and human performance.