Episode 8: The Neurobiology of Eating Disorders
Episode description:
The Emily Program’s Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Jillian Lampert joins Peace Meal this week to discuss eating disorders and the brain. Dr. Lampert educates listeners on the two experiences of eating and how they play into each type of eating disorder. We wrap up the episode by comparing the brains of those with eating disorders to the brains of individuals who are unaffected by the illnesses.
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Episode show notes:
Dr. Jillian Lampert is The Emily Program’s Chief Strategy Officer and the co-founder of the Residential Eating Disorders Consortium. Dr. Lampert has a Master’s degree in nutrition and a Doctorate degree in nutrition and epidemiology. In addition to this, she is also the author of numerous book chapters and articles discussing eating disorders and she regularly speaks nationally about eating disorder related topics.
In this episode, we cover the brain’s “wanting” and “liking” systems and discuss how our experiences differ based on our neurobiology. We discuss an fMRI study that sheds light on how the brain plays into eating and eating disorders. This study found that those with anorexia have a quieter wanting system for food than those without the eating disorder. The study also provides evidence in support of the idea that individuals with binge eating disorder experience a high level of wanting and low level of liking, which results in a high desire to eat but a lower satisfaction upon eating.
By understanding the neurobiology behind eating disorders, Dr. Lampert discusses how we can spot eating disorder risk factors at a young age. We wrap up the episode by discussing the ins and outs of eating disorder recovery and how developing management skills can help individuals in recovery.
You can find us at The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977.
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About the podcast:
Peace Meal is an Emily Program podcast that discusses topics related to eating disorders, body image issues, and how society may contribute to distorted thinking.
You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, or tell your friends!
Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.
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