Episode 159: How to outsmart your brain for optimal health with Stephan Guyenet

Episode SponsorDESERT FARMS The Hungry Brain is a new book from Stephan Guyenet, an obesity and neuroscience researcher. In his book, Stephan explains all about the complicated processes of the brain and body that leads us to behave the way we do with regards to eating and food, and how this can be problematic when taken into context with our modern world and our modern diet, which is a situation that’s very different from the world our ancestors lived in and the world in which our brains developed. This book really resonates, we think, because so many of us feel out of control with our eating and don’t understand why we make the food choices we do or why we act the way we do or look the way we do when we so desperately want things to be different. This book is so important because it helps explain in very specific and scientific, yet clear terms, why our brain does what it does and the ways we can work to combat the very intelligent biological processes that in today’s world can make us fat, sick, and keep us caught in a negative cycle with our eating. We’re really excited about our talk today with Stephan and think it will make us all feel more informed, more empowered, and more able to tackle what, on the surface, seems like a very simple task — eat well and be healthy — but is actually so much more complicated than we think. We really hope you get as much out of this episode as we did. CLICK HERE for the full transcript. On today's show we discuss: The main goal and learning points of Stephan’s book, The Hungry Brain. What is meant by the terms “sensory specific satiety” and “habituation”. The progressive ratio test and it is used to test your motivational drive. How the hypothalamus regulates body fat and how your set point can change with time. How to transition to a diet that contains less hyper palatable foods. Stephan’s typical diet on a day-to-day basis. How sensory queues trigger the motivational circuits in our brains towards certain foods. His thoughts on the whole abstainer versus moderator debate. The effect that eating at all times of day has on your ability to lose weight. How uncontrolled stress can effect our food intake behaviors. Stephan’s top tips and strategies for tricking the brain to feel fuller on fewer calories. “There are a lot of brain functions that we are not aware of and not in control of.” — @whsource [0:14:43.1] “There is no other diet that is better at fattening rodents than palatable human foods.” — @whsource [0:24:30.1] Guest Links:  Check out Stephan's website, stephanguyenet.com Connect with him on Twitter | FacebookGrab a copy of his new book, The Hungry Brain    SHARE YOUR LOVE FOR PMR AND YOU CAN ENTER TO WIN SOME GREAT PALEO SWAG! It's easy, simply post a review of PMR on iTunes and fill out our quick Registration Form and you'll be entered to win your choice of 4 great books and a Paleo Magazine vinyl decal! One winner will be randomly chosen each week.