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Huberman LabDr. Andrew Huberman: Why Anorexia Is a Brain Reward Loop
Anorexia locks into a rewarded habit via AgRP, leptin, and dopamine circuitry. Huberman covers bulimia, binge eating, and evidence-based treatments for each.
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Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- July 17, 2025
- Duration
- 39m
- Channel
- Huberman Lab
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I discuss both healthy eating and clinically recognized eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. I explain how brain circuits, hormones such as leptin and reward systems interact to regulate appetite, satiety and overall eating behaviors. I also discuss the serious health risks associated with anorexia, explain how disrupted eating habits contribute to its development and highlight evidence-based treatments for anorexia. Finally, I explore binge eating and bulimia, discussing the underlying causes and the pharmacological treatments commonly used to support recovery. Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/pexmg01 Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch the full-length episode: https://youtu.be/2XGREPnlI8U Watch more Huberman Lab Essentials episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNW_gerXa4OGNy1yE-W9IX-tPu-tJa7S *Follow Huberman Lab* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab X: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter *Timestamps* 00:00:00 Eating Disorders 00:01:05 Fasting, Intermittent Fasting, Healthy Eating 00:06:10 Self-Diagnosis Caution 00:07:20 Eating Disorders, Anorexia Nervosa 00:11:07 Hunger & Satiety; Appetite, Body Fat & Brain 00:15:48 Homeostasis & Reward Systems, Eating Disorders 00:19:40 Anorexia, Puberty, Hyperacuity & Food 00:22:46 Decision-Making vs Reflexes/Habits, Anorexia 00:26:20 Anorexia & Breaking Habits, Therapies & Family-Based Models 00:28:59 Distorted Self-Image & Anorexia 00:31:53 Bulimia & Binge-Eating Disorder, Impulsivity & Prescription Treatments 00:35:39 Recap & Key Takeaways Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
SPEAKERS
Andrew Huberman
host
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman, Dr. Andrew Huberman: Why Anorexia Is a Brain Reward Loop explores Inside Eating Disorders: Brain Circuits, Habits, and Healthy Food Relationships Andrew Huberman explains the neuroscience and biology underlying healthy eating and clinical eating disorders, with a focus on anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
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