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

Follow Beyond Binge Eating

Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/

Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

Keep in touch with Kristina:

https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com

Connect with Bitten here:

https://www.bittensaddiction.com/sugar-bomb

Timestamps:

0:00 — Intro

2:42 — Bitten's own addiction story begins

6:29 — Meeting Terry Gorski & the pivotal alcoholic recovery study

8:55 — The sugar fight, in full context

10:11 — Discovering "food addiction" & building her practice

12:25 — Finding Anatomy of a Food Addict

13:02 — Starting the first professional group (1995)

13:17 — The five pillars of biochemical repair (overview)

20:53 — Pillar 1: Abstinence

22:47 — Pillar 2: Breathing

23:30 — Pillar 3: Sleep

24:13 — Pillar 4: Physical activity

25:35 — Pillar 5: Supplements

26:48 — Why healing takes time

30:47 — Craving management & the addiction memory circuit

42:58 — The "10 minutes, 10 hours, 10 days" exercise

46:15 — Relapse prevention & risk situations

51:48 — Book recommendation & closing reflections

52:37 — Getting started: the six-question self-check

53:00 — Where to find Bitten & her book

Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.