How to Stop Cravings: It's Not Just About Willpower

Let's dive into cravings today, because it's something I see come up a lot. I often see people in Facebook groups attributing their cravings to Candida or parasites, thinking these little critters are making them crave certain foods.

While that could be the case, in my experience, that's not usually what's going on. I work with many clients on gut health, and from what I've seen with them and in my own journey, other, much more common factors are at play.

My Own Battle With Cravings

I used to have massive cravings. Back in my younger days, all I wanted was junk food, candy, sugary cereals. Then, in my teens, I went through periods of trying to be anorexic. I never actually got there; I could never lose the weight and fully achieve that. I tried so hard to restrict, but the cravings would always take over, and I'd end up binging. I even became bulimic for a while.

Eventually, I said, "Enough's enough. I'm done with this." And what I realized, for myself and for many others, is that cravings, dysfunctional eating, and body image issues often stem from neurotransmitter imbalances.

The Neurotransmitter Connection

This can manifest in different patterns. In my case, I'm prone to very high dopamine levels, which means I'm driven, motivated, and focused. But when those dopamine levels drop, I crave that same feeling – that reward, that pleasure. And what gives you a quick hit of dopamine? Sugar, processed carbs, drugs, alcohol, shopping...

So, when my dopamine crashes, I crave those things. It's not about willpower; it's a biochemical drive.

Then there's serotonin. When serotonin is low, you often crave carbs. Why? Because carbs help you make serotonin. And serotonin is your "feel-good" neurotransmitter; it helps with mood, sleep, and relaxation.

GABA is another one. Low GABA often leads to cravings for... well, anything! You just want to eat. GABA is your calming neurotransmitter; it helps you manage anxiety.

The Long-Term Approach

So, here's the thing: you're not going to fix these neurotransmitter imbalances overnight. It's a long-term journey. It took me years to understand and address mine, and I still have to be mindful.

If you're dealing with intense cravings right now, there's no quick fix. It's going to take time, so please give yourself grace if you slip up. It's part of the process.

Balanced Eating is Key

One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to restrict. They go on super low-carb diets, or they try to cut out sugar completely. And what happens? They crave those foods even more.

You need to eat a balanced, whole-food diet. You need to eat enough protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs. Your brain needs those nutrients to function properly and produce those neurotransmitters.

The Power of Mindset

And mindset is HUGE. If you're constantly telling yourself you can't have something, you're going to want it even more. You need to shift your perspective. Instead of "I can't have that," think, "I choose not to have that because it doesn't serve my goals."

Skipping meals is also a big no-no. It throws your blood sugar off, which messes with your hormones and... you guessed it... your neurotransmitters!

Patience and Persistence

The bottom line is, addressing cravings takes time and a holistic approach. It's not just about willpower or cutting out entire food groups. It's about supporting your brain, your body, and your mindset. It's about getting the right labs done, and don't just jumping straight into to gut work. You've got to support your brain, your detox pathways, and all of these other things.