The Science of Starvation and the Brain

Understanding ARFID: More Than Just Picky Eating

This episode explores ARFID, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, a lesser-known eating disorder that is not driven by body image concerns. Learn how sensory processing, fear responses, and appetite signals in the brain can influence eating behaviors and why ARFID is much more than picky eating.

The Neuroscience of Anger and Addiction with Dr. Sam Golden

This episode features an interview with Sam Golden, a neuroscientist at the University of Washington whose research explores how the brain shapes motivation, reward, stress, and behavior. Learn how neuroscience is advancing our understanding of mental health, resilience, and the neural circuits that influence the choices we make every day.

How Are Eating Disorders Diagnosed?

How are eating disorders diagnosed, and why were the DSM-5 criteria updated? This episode explores a research study on eating disorder classification and explains how changes to diagnostic guidelines helped more individuals receive diagnoses that better reflected their symptoms.

Why Does Anorexia Persist? A Look at the Brain

Why can anorexia nervosa be so difficult to overcome? This episode explores neuroscience research suggesting that differences in reward learning and habit formation may contribute to the persistence of the illness, offering new insights into how the brain changes throughout recovery.

The Hidden Biology of Eating Disorders with Dr. Cynthia Bulik

This episode features an interview with Cynthia Bulik, a leading expert in eating disorder research and treatment. Explore the science behind eating disorders, including genetics, neuroscience, behavior, and emerging research on the gut-brain connection, while examining how these illnesses are far more complex than common misconceptions suggest. Interested in contributing to eating disorder research? Learn more about the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative and how to participate here: https://edgi2.org/ [https://edgi2.org/]