How to Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain: Neuroscience of Cravings & Recovery with Dr. Claire Wilcox

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Claire Wilcox—board-certified psychiatrist, addiction specialist, and author of Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain—to explore the neuroscience of food addiction and how to break free from cravings and compulsive eating patterns with compassion and clarity.

Here’s what we cover in the episode:

• Why food addiction isn’t just about sugar—and how even unpalatable foods can create addictive patterns

• The neurobiology of volume addiction and what happens in the brain when we eat large quantities of food

• How perfectionism, people-pleasing, and social pressure can sabotage sustainable recovery

• The role of harm reduction, and why abstinence from trigger foods doesn’t have to mean “all or nothing”

• Practical, science-based strategies for managing cravings and rebuilding a healthy relationship with food

Claire combines cutting-edge neuroscience with real-world insight, making this a must-watch for anyone navigating recovery, supporting others, or seeking a deeper understanding of food addiction.

00:00 – Intro

01:59 – Why Claire wrote Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain

03:16 – Collaborating with the Food Junkies podcast team

05:22 – Recovery goals beyond weight loss

07:23 – How recovery reduces anxiety, cravings, and emotional instability

08:57 – What is volume addiction? The science behind it

11:56 – "Harm reduction with an end goal of abstinence" - what does this mean?

16:51 – Perfectionism in food addiction and recovery

17:56 – Flexibility, forgiveness, and slips without shame

19:33 – Understanding cravings through cue reactivity, emotion regulation, and impulse control

22:16 – Practical prevention strategies to reduce cravings

24:51 – Honoring your own bio-rhythms

26:43 – Social pressure, people-pleasing, and protecting your recovery

28:18 – Where to find Dr. Claire Wilcox and her book

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🗣️Follow and connect with Claire Wilcox:

https://www.wilcoxmd.com

https://www.instagram.com/wilcox.claire/

Get her new book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/dEPU3qp

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Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.