Trauma Is Driving Your Diet (Not Willpower) | Ultra-Processed Foods Explained

Why do so many people know what to eat… but still can’t follow through?

In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy breaks down the powerful connection between trauma, stress, and ultra-processed foods—and why willpower alone is not enough.

You’ll learn how the nervous system, PTSD, and chronic stress can rewire your relationship with food, driving cravings and behaviors that feel out of your control.

This isn’t about discipline. It’s about understanding the biology behind your choices.

Inside this episode:

• How trauma changes the way you make decisions
• Why ultra-processed foods create temporary emotional relief
• The brain chemistry behind cravings (dopamine, serotonin, endocannabinoids & more)
• Why “just stop eating it” doesn’t work
• How to create real change without shame or restriction

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle with food, this episode will change how you see it—and give you a path forward.

📍 Protea Medical Center | Tempe, Arizona

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📚 Citations & Research

PTSD & Complex PTSD

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2014). DSM-5 Criteria for PTSD. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/box/part1_ch3.box16/
• Larsen, S. E. (VA National Center for PTSD). Complex PTSD Overview https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/complex_ptsd.asp

Women, Trauma & PTSD

• Vogt, D., & Mangan, E. Research on Women, Trauma, and PTSD https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/specific/ptsd_research_women.asp
• Dworkin, E. R. et al. (2017). Sexual Assault & Psychopathology Meta-Analysis https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5576571/
• Dworkin, E. R. (2020). Risk for Mental Disorders After Sexual Assault

PTSD & Addictive-Like Eating

• Mason, S. M. et al. (2014). PTSD Symptoms & Food Addiction (JAMA Psychiatry) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/1904804
• Brewerton, T. D. (2021). Food Addiction, Trauma & Comorbidity
• Brewerton, T. D. (2017). Trauma & Eating Disorders https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11920-017-0806-6
• Gearhardt, A. N. et al. (2016). Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0

Stress & Food Choice

• Maier, S. U. et al. (2015). Stress Impairs Self-Control in Food Choice https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627315006273
• Yau, Y. H. C., & Potenza, M. N. (2013). Stress & Eating Behaviors https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4214609/

Relief Mechanisms (Biological Pathways)

• Adam, T. C., & Epel, E. S. (2007). Stress, Eating & Reward System https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031938407001278
• DiPatrizio, N. V. (2021). Endocannabinoids & Food Intake https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8067588/
• Fernstrom, J. D., & Wurtman, R. J. (1972). Serotonin Regulation https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5077329/
• Penckofer, S. et al. (2012). Glycemic Variability & Mood https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22324383/

Oral Self-Regulation

• Franco, P. et al. (2004). Pacifier Use & Autonomic Control
• Pinilla, T., & Birch, L. J. (1993). Infant Sleep & Oral Soothing

Dopamine & Craving

• Berridge, K. C., & Robinson, T. E. (2016). Incentive-Sensitization Theory https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5171207/
• Boswell, R. G., & Kober, H. (2016). Food Cue Reactivity https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26644270/

Ultra-Processed Foods

• Monteiro, C. A. et al. (2018). NOVA Classification