Sugar Addiction, Biochemical Repair, & Cravings | Bitten Jonsson

In this episode, I sit down with Bitten Jonsson — a registered nurse since 1973, addiction specialist, international lecturer, and one of the earliest forerunners in the field of sugar and carb addiction. Bitten developed the concept of biochemical repair for sugar addicted brains and has treated approximately 6,500 people since the start of 1992.Here's what we cover in the episode:Bitten's own recovery story — from hiding her drinking as a "high-functioning" alcoholic in Sweden to an intervention that changed the course of her lifeWhy she could quit smoking overnight but couldn't control her cravings for chocolate and ice cream — and the colleague who first told her "maybe you're a food addict"The five pillars of biochemical repair: abstinence, breathing, sleep, physical activity, and supplements — and how each one evolved through decades of trial and errorThe "addiction memory circuit" and "euphoric recall" — why early exposure to sugar and carbs wires the brain so strongly, and why cravings never fully disappearHer practical tools for craving management, including the "10 minutes, 10 hours, 10 days" written exercise and her daily morning recovery commitmentThe difference between a slip, a lapse, and a relapse — and why understanding that progression matters for anyone in recoveryHow to tell if you might have a sugar or carb addiction, using the 6-Item UNCOPE Questions for SugarWhere to find Bitten's book and how to get in touch with her directlyMore info about Dr. Kristina's upcoming carnivore wellness retreat: https://www.MeatandMovement.comFollow Beyond Binge EatingInstagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/Keep in touch with Kristina:https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.comConnect with Bitten here: https://www.bittensaddiction.com/sugar-bombTimestamps:0:00 — Intro 2:42 — Bitten's own addiction story begins6:29 — Meeting Terry Gorski & the pivotal alcoholic recovery study8:55 — The sugar fight, in full context10:11 — Discovering "food addiction" & building her practice12:25 — Finding Anatomy of a Food Addict13:02 — Starting the first professional group (1995)13:17 — The five pillars of biochemical repair (overview)20:53 — Pillar 1: Abstinence22:47 — Pillar 2: Breathing23:30 — Pillar 3: Sleep24:13 — Pillar 4: Physical activity25:35 — Pillar 5: Supplements26:48 — Why healing takes time30:47 — Craving management & the addiction memory circuit42:58 — The "10 minutes, 10 hours, 10 days" exercise46:15 — Relapse prevention & risk situations51:48 — Book recommendation & closing reflections52:37 — Getting started: the six-question self-check53:00 — Where to find Bitten & her bookDisclaimer: 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.