Understanding the Science of Food Addiction and Eating Behaviours with Dr. Tera Fazzino

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This week on the podcast Mikki speaks with Dr. Tera Fazzino, a translational research scientist whose work delves into the complex interplay between addiction, obesity, and eating disorders. With a PhD in Experimental Psychology and an MA in Clinical Practices in Psychology, Dr. Fazzino brings a unique lens to understanding eating behaviors and the neurobiology behind food consumption.

Together, Mikki and Dr. Fazzino explore the fascinating origins of her research career, including the pivotal moments that shaped her understanding of eating behaviour and weight management. They dive deep into the neurobiological factors that drive overeating and food addiction-like behaviours, unpacking how our brains influence the choices we make in a world of highly palatable foods.

Dr. Fazzino shares insights into the parallels between food addiction and other addictive behaviours, challenges common misconceptions about food intake, and discusses surprising findings from her studies on binge eating behaviours. They also examine the delicate balance between biological and psychological factors in weight management and consider what more we need to know about our modern food environment to help people make better food choices.

Finally, Dr. Fazzino offers practical, research-backed advice on how to optimise eating habits and break cycles of overeating—starting with actionable steps that anyone can take. This conversation is packed with invaluable insights into how we think about food, behaviour, and the systems that shape our choices.

Tera Fazzino is a translational research scientist whose work is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms that contribute to health risks through a combination of clinical and experimental methods. With a PhD in Experimental Psychology and an MA in Clinical Practices in Psychology, she brings a unique perspective to studying health risk behaviours and developing innovative research questions.

Her work focuses on the intersection of addiction, obesity, and eating disorders, exploring shared reinforcement processes that drive these behaviours. A key aspect of their research involves leveraging mobile technology to assess and intervene on health risk behaviours in real-time, within participants’ natural environments.

Dr Tera Fazzino: https://fazzinolab.ku.edu/people/tera-fazzino

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