In today’s episode, we dive deep into a thought-provoking listener question: Will there always be something waiting in the wings to take the place of old addictive patterns?

Molly C. shares a personal experience about her resolution to avoid blue light before bed—and how she noticed an urge to watch TV after a fun night out. This sparks a rich discussion on self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and the evolving nature of cravings and coping mechanisms in recovery.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

✅ The idea of whether food (or other behaviors) will always be our first instinct in times of stress
✅ How our nervous system and trauma history influence our default responses
✅ The role of neuroplasticity and whether we can truly rewire our brains to respond differently
✅ The 8 Fs of trauma responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn, Fornicate, Feed, Flop, and Friend
✅ The importance of curiosity and self-compassion when noticing urges and cravings
✅ Why we are wired to crave—and how that doesn’t mean we’re failing in recovery
✅ The power of observation: how practicing “observe and report” can help us navigate cravings without judgment

📩 Listener Question: Will there ever be a day when food is not our first thought in moments of stress? If not, is the goal simply to acknowledge it, dismiss it, and move on with radical acceptance?

This led us to a deep and honest conversation about the nature of recovery, self-compassion, and how to shift from reacting to responding with awareness.

Key Takeaways:

🧠 Our nervous system is wired for survival, and old patterns don’t disappear overnight—but they can lose their intensity.
💡 Cravings are not a failure. They are a natural part of being human.
💙 Healing is about curiosity, not judgment. The more we understand our behaviors, the less power they hold over us.

💬 Join the Conversation!
We love hearing from you! Send us your questions at AskTheShrinks@FoodShrinks.com and let us know your thoughts on today’s episode.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! See you next week!

#FoodAddictionRecovery #NervousSystem #TraumaResponses #CuriosityNotJudgment #Neuroplasticity #FoodShrinksPodcast

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.