In today’s episode, we discuss what’s actually happening in your brain when you crave, binge, restrict, or feel out of control with food — and why this is not a moral failure. Drawing from cutting-edge neuroscience, Dr. Anna Lembke’s work in Dopamine Nation, peer-reviewed research, Scripture, and Catholic moral theology, we’ll explore how dopamine shapes desire, how modern foods hijack the brain, and how grace and neuroplasticity work together to bring healing. You’ll learn why cues feel so powerful, why willpower breaks down under stress, why you can be “good all day” and lose control at night, and—most importantly—how your brain can be rewired through abstinence, virtue, community, and sacramental life. This episode is both scientifically rich and spiritually grounding…and it will give you hope. Your brain is not broken. You are not weak. You are being rewired and sanctified. Join Stephanie in the Ember Loft where real women seeking real recovery find real and lasting change. https://www.shinerising.com/membership Key peer-reviewed studies referenced in this episode Berridge, K. C., & Robinson, T. E. (2016). Liking, wanting, and the incentive-sensitization theory of addiction. American Psychologist, 71(8), 670–679. Schultz, W., Dayan, P., & Montague, P. R. (1997). A neural substrate of prediction and reward. Science, 275(5306), 1593–1599. Koob, G. F., & Le Moal, M. (2008). Addiction and the brain antireward system. Annual Review of Psychology, 59, 29–53. Volkow, N. D., Wise, R. A., & Baler, R. (2017). The dopamine motive system: Implications for drug and food addiction. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 18(12), 741–752. Volkow, N. D., Wang, G.-J., et al. (2016). Obesity and addiction: Neurobiological overlaps. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(8), 661–679. Graybiel, A. M. (2008). Habits, rituals, and the evaluative brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 31, 359–387. Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signaling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 410–422. Spiegel, K., Tasali, E., Penev, P., & Van Cauter, E. (2004). Sleep curtailment lowers leptin and increases ghrelin. Annals of Internal Medicine, 141(11), 846–850. Eisenberger, N. I. (2012). The pain of social disconnection. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(6), 421–434. Smith, J. L., Mattick, R., & Carter, A. (2016). Plasticity of habits and dopamine: Implications for addiction. Neuron, 90(6), 1219–1235. Kang, Y., Williams, L. E., et al. (2018). Purpose in life predicts neural responses to reward. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 13(4), 368–375. Disclaimer: The Pulse Project Podcast is for educational and spiritual formation purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional healthcare. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, nor does it create a patient-provider relationship. Always seek the guidance of a qualified physician, licensed mental health professional, or emergency medical services for any concerns about your physical or mental health. If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately. The views shared in this podcast reflect personal experience, research, and Catholic teaching, and are not meant to replace individualized care.
