Today, I am blessed to have here with me Bitten Johnson. It has been 27 years since Bitten started her journey into food addiction, which she now calls “Sugar Addiction.” Over the years Bitten has had the good fortune to collaborate with many professionals and treat thousands of people worldwide. Through these collaborations, Bitten have developed a deep understanding of the brain disease addiction and she has developed a unique treatment method called Holistic Addiction Medicine. Bitten has trained many professionals in her native country and now it is time to bring Holistic Medicine for Addiction (HMA) to you. All addiction begins in the brain, regardless of the drug, so Bitten works with ASAM’s definition of Addiction Interaction Disorder which aims to correct the dysfunctions of the brain’s circuitry. The word addiction comes from the Latin word “addicere” which means being a slave to something. Addictions are powerful and lead to hundreds of deaths every day. Bitten is a registered nurse, addiction specialist and ADDIS®/SUGAR® authorized (addiction screening, assessment and diagnostic tools) and currently offer courses and training for professionals. Today there are many very skilled counselors all over the world to whom Bitten refers any clients that contact her. Bitten’s mission is to bring knowledge and experience to others so that more people are able to diagnose and treat this fatal disease, addiction, in order to free people from this painful illness and to decrease shame and stigma. In this episode, Bitten talks about becoming an expert on sugar addiction. Once you realize that addiction is something going on in your brain, you can start to heal. Bitten explains how you can tell the difference between someone who is an addict and someone who is a harmful user. Later, we talk about how sugar addicts can start the keto diet and whether or not you need to stay away from natural sweeteners. Tune in as Bitten explains why an “LSD” trip can be a fantastic tool on your journey to health. Order Keto Flex: http://www.ketoflexbook.com -------------------------------------------------------- / / E P I S O D E S P ON S O R S PureForm Omega Plant Based Oils (Best Alternative to Fish Oil): http://www.purelifescience.com Use ben4 for $4.00 off. Upgraded Formulas Hair Mineral Deficiency Analysis & Supplements: http://www.upgradedformulas.com Use BEN10 at checkout for 10% off your order. Paleo Valley beef sticks, apple cider vinegar complex, organ meat complex & more. Use the coupon code KETOKAMP15 over at https://paleovalley.com/ to receive 15% off your entire order. Text me the words "Podcast" +1 (786) 364-5002 to be added to my contacts list. [00:45] How Bitten Became An Expert on Sugar Addiction Growing up, Bitten was obsessed with sugar cubes, chocolate, and ice cream. In nursing school, Bitten learned that you suppress your appetite if you smoke. So that's why she started smoking. Then, Bitten became an alcoholic. Addiction is about the brain and how your brain reacts to substances. At age 33, Bitten fell in love with addiction medicine. Bitten knew that she was using ice cream and chocolate the same way she would use alcohol. [13:00] Addiction Is All About What Is Happening In Your Brain You can be addicted to something with just small amounts. Addiction is all about what is going on in your brain. You don’t have to eat a lot or drink a lot to be an addict. As time goes on, you will increase how much you are drinking or eating. Each drug that comes into your life, you become addicted to faster and faster. [15:10] How To Identify Whether or Not Your Addiction Is Real There’s a difference between harmful use and addiction. You need to figure out which one you have because there will be different treatments. Harmful users are emotional eaters. They eat when they are sad, happy, stressed, etc. There are all kinds of reasons why people will overeat. Ask a harmful user, “why?” There will be an answer. You can’t ask “why” to addict because it's a primary illness; it doesn't have a cause. Instead, you need to ask addicts how you can help them. Some problems that addiction will cause: Eating alone Poor economy Poor health Poor relationships Mood swings Loss of energy [28:45] How To Start Living a Ketogenic Lifestyle if You’re An Addict The keto diet is the best diet for broken brains and for addicts. You will need tremendous support going from junk foods to keto foods. Screen yourself for sugar addiction on Bitten’s website here: https://www.bittensaddiction.com/en/addiction/sugar-addiction/ Remember, addiction is a serious brain illness. The more symptoms you have, the longer you've had it, the more severe it is. So, it’s critical to find support before starting the journey to keto. [39:15] It’s Not What You Think: Take An LSD Trip To Improve Your Health To increase insulin sensitivity, you have to walk a long slow distance (LSD). An LSD trip is one of Bitten’s favorite tools. If you’re going from junk food to keto, you need tools in your toolbelt. One great tool is LSD walks. Promise yourself that you will take long walks and eat your keto foods. [55:35] Do Addicts Need To Stay Away From Natural Sweeteners? If you’re having a hard time with sugar, natural sweeteners can be useful. However, anything sweet will be a trigger for addicts. Seeing things and smelling things are also triggers. It’s not about willpower; it’s all about the involuntary reaction in your brain. AND MUCH MORE! Resources from this episode: Check out Bitten Johnson’s Website: https://www.bittensaddiction.com/ Follow Bitten Johnson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bittensaddiction/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BittenJonsson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bittensaddiction/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjACTQb2C2J6yRhd7dcX5rw Join the Facebook Group Sugarbomb in Your Brain: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1682784168624569/ Watch Ben on Bitten’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJcSaTpCO84 Join theKeto Kamp Academy: https://ketokampacademy.com/7-day-trial-a WatchKeto Kamp on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUh_MOM621MvpW_HLtfkLyQ Order Keto Flex: http://www.ketoflexbook.com -------------------------------------------------------- / / E P I S O D E S P ON S O R S PureForm Omega Plant Based Oils (Best Alternative to Fish Oil): http://www.purelifescience.com Use ben4 for $4.00 off. Upgraded Formulas Hair Mineral Deficiency Analysis & Supplements: http://www.upgradedformulas.com Use BEN10 at checkout for 10% off your order. Paleo Valley beef sticks, apple cider vinegar complex, organ meat complex & more. Use the coupon code KETOKAMP15 over at https://paleovalley.com/ to receive 15% off your entire order. Text me the words "Podcast" +1 (786) 364-5002 to be added to my contacts list. *Some Links Are Affiliates* // F O L L O W ▸ instagram | @thebenazadi | http://bit.ly/2B1NXKW ▸ facebook | /thebenazadi | http://bit.ly/2BVvvW6 ▸ twitter | @thebenazadi http://bit.ly/2USE0so ▸clubhouse | @thebenazadi Disclaimer: This podcast is for information purposes only. Statements and views expressed on this podcast are not medical advice. This podcast including Ben Azadi disclaim responsibility from any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. Opinions of guests are their own, and this podcast does not accept responsibility of statements made by guests. This podcast does not make any representations or warranties about guests qualifications or credibility. Individuals on this podcast may have a direct or non-direct interest in products or services referred to herein. If you think you have a medical problem, consult a licensed physician.