Obesity Isn’t Your Fault: Biology, Addiction & Solutions with Dr. David Kessler
Mark Hyman
Oct 1, 2025
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Leverage GLP-1 drugs to create aversion to eating through nausea
GLP-1 agonist drugs like Ozempic are highly effective because they delay gastric emptying and push you to the edge of nausea, creating a powerful aversion to eating.
Investigate un-addicted individuals for insights on food behavior
The most interesting people to study may not be the 80% who find food rewarding, but the minority for whom food is not a salient, addictive stimulus.
Address metabolic dysfunction to improve health outcomes
According to the most recent data, a staggering 93.2% of Americans have some degree of metabolic dysfunction or insulin resistance.
Challenge food industry to prove safety of ultra-processed ingredients
A petition argues that key ingredients in ultra-processed foods are no longer 'Generally Recognized As Safe' (GRAS), which could force the food industry to prove their safety or reformulate products.
Evaluate ingredient safety based on cumulative consumption effects
Food safety law requires evaluating an ingredient's safety based on its cumulative effect at the doses people are actually consuming, not just in small, isolated amounts.
Identify four components of ultra-processed foods
Ultra-processed foods are essentially reassembled from four main components: refined sweeteners, refined starches, added fats and oils, and salt.
Recognize food's addictive potential similar to nicotine
The dopamine hit from food is pharmacologically much closer to nicotine than to heroin, explaining its powerful and widespread addictive potential.
Combat toxic fat to protect organ health
The health issue is not weight itself, but the metabolically active 'toxic fat' that infiltrates organs like the liver, pancreas, and heart, causing disease.
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