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.

In this episode, Molly C, Molly P, and Clarissa dive deep into the feeling of being "othered"—that sense of not quite fitting in, even among close friends or trusted spaces.

We explore:
✅ The fear of being too different—what happens when our thoughts, experiences, or intuition don’t align with those around us
✅ The connection between feeling othered and food behaviors—how discomfort leads to numbing or binging
✅ The armor we put up when we feel excluded—why we protect ourselves instead of reaching out
✅ The power of naming our feelings—and how vulnerability in friendships can heal deep-seated fears

✨ Big Takeaways from This Episode:
• Feeling “othered” often comes from historical wounds rather than present reality.
• Our shame thrives in secrecy, but when shared, it loses power.
• Authentic friendships are a space to practice saying, “I feel left out,” instead of shutting down.
• We all have parts of ourselves that we fear are “too much”—but often, those are the parts people love most.
• Belonging doesn’t come from sameness, it comes from being fully seen and accepted.

💡 Listener Reflection:
• Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong, even in a group where you "should" feel connected?
• What “armor” do you put on when you feel that way?
• How do you soothe yourself when those feelings come up?

💬 Final Thought:
We all want to be seen. And today, we saw each other.

❤️ Take Care of Yourself After This Episode:
This one was deep, friends. If it resonated, be gentle with yourself. Maybe take a walk, journal, or check in with a friend who makes you feel truly seen.

📩 Got a Question or Topic for the Shrinks?
Send it to AskTheShrinks@FoodShrinks.com—we’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Subscribe and leave a review!
If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who might need it.

📢 Follow Us:
📱 Instagram: @FoodShrinks
📧 Email: AskTheShrinks@foodshrinks.com
🌐 Website: foodshrinks.com

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.

In this episode of Food Shrinks, we’re shaking things up! With one shrink missing, we dive into how we handle scheduling conflicts as a team and the importance of open, honest conversations in problem-solving. Then, we transition into a powerful discussion about a common struggle in food addiction recovery: sneaking, hiding, and lying about food.

We explore how secrecy and shame amplify dopamine release, making the behavior even more rewarding—just like in other substance addictions. By illuminating these patterns, we can dismantle them and find practical ways to break free from the cycle.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:

✔️ Handling scheduling conflicts with honesty and flexibility – Why communication is key and how we’re restructuring our approach.

✔️ The psychology behind sneaking and hiding food – How secrecy fuels the reward cycle and makes cravings stronger.

✔️ Shame and isolation in food addiction – Why we feel compelled to hide and how it mirrors other addictions.

✔️ Mindful eating and breaking the secrecy cycle – Strategies like eating in the open, using a plate, and slowing down to challenge the food’s "forbidden" appeal.

✔️ The power of self-awareness in recovery – Recognizing triggers, patterns, and practical self-binding strategies to avoid relapse.

✔️ Navigating food choices in social and professional settings – Addressing guilt and external expectations and setting personal boundaries in recovery.

Practical Takeaways:

✅ Normalize the struggle – Sneaking and hiding food is common in addiction, and talking about it removes shame.

✅ Break the secrecy cycle – Try eating in the open, paying attention to taste, and challenging the "thrill" of the behavior.

✅ Lean into self-awareness – Identify when and where these urges happen and find strategies to disrupt the pattern.

✅ Own your choices – You can decide what works for you in recovery—without guilt or external judgment.

💡 Want to share your experience or ask us a question?

Please email us at asktheshrinks@foodshrinks.com

🎧 Subscribe and leave a review! If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who might need it.

📢 Follow Us:

📱 Instagram: @FoodShrinks

📧 Email: AskTheShrinks@foodshrinks.com

🌐 Website: foodshrinks.com

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.