
← Beyond Binge Eating31 Aug · 51 min
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 life
Why 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 error
The "addiction memory circuit" and "euphoric recall" — why early exposure to sugar and carbs wires the brain so strongly, and why cravings never fully disappear
Her practical tools for craving management, including the "10 minutes, 10 hours, 10 days" written exercise and her daily morning recovery commitment
The difference between a slip, a lapse, and a relapse — and why understanding that progression matters for anyone in recovery
How to tell if you might have a sugar or carb addiction, using the 6-Item UNCOPE Questions for Sugar
Where to find Bitten's book and how to get in touch with her directly
More info about Dr. Kristina's upcoming carnivore wellness retreat: https://www.MeatandMovement.com
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