Special Offers

Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight

From the New York Times bestselling author of The End of Overeating comes an illuminating understanding of body weight, including the promise—and peril—of the latest weight loss drugs. This program features an introduction and epilogue read by the author.

The struggle is universal: we work hard to lose weight, only to find that it slowly creeps back. In America, body weight has become a pain point shrouded in self-recrimination and shame, not to mention bias from the medical community. For many, this battle not only takes a mental toll but also becomes a physical threat: three-quarters of American adults struggle with weight-related health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. We know that diets don’t work, and yet we also know that excess weight starves us of years and quality of life. Where do we go from here?

In Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine, former FDA Commissioner Dr. David A. Kessler unpacks the mystery of weight in the most comprehensive work to date on this topic, giving listeners the power to dramatically improve their health. Kessler, who has himself struggled with weight, suggests the new class of GLP-1 weight loss drugs have provided a breakthrough: they have radically altered our understanding of weight loss. They make lasting change possible, but they also have real disadvantages and must be considered as part of a comprehensive approach together with nutrition, behavior, and physical activity.

Critical to this new perspective is the insight that weight-loss drugs act on the part of the brain that is responsible for cravings. In essence, the drugs tamp down the addictive circuits that overwhelm rational decision-making and quiet the “food noise” that distracts us. Identifying these mechanisms allows us to develop a strategy for effective long-term weight loss, and that begins with naming the elephant in the room: ultraformulated foods are addictive. Losing weight is a process of treating addiction.

In this landmark audiobook, one of the nation’s leading public health officials breaks taboos around this fraught conversation, giving listeners the tools to unplug the brain’s addictive wiring and change their relationship with food. Dr. Kessler cautions that drugs, on their own, pose serious risks and are not a universal solution. But with this new understanding of the brain-body feedback loop comes new possibilities for our health and freedom from a lifelong struggle.

Eye-opening, provocative, and rigorous, this is a must-listen for anyone who has ever struggled to maintain their weight—which is to say, everyone.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

Value: $0.00
(as of Jun 16, 2025 03:22:45 UTC – Particulars)

From the New York Occasions bestselling writer of The Finish of Overeating comes an illuminating understanding of physique weight, together with the promise—and peril—of the most recent weight reduction medication. This program options an introduction and epilogue learn by the writer.

The battle is common: we work arduous to reduce weight, solely to search out that it slowly creeps again. In America, physique weight has develop into a ache level shrouded in self-recrimination and disgrace, to not point out bias from the medical group. For a lot of, this battle not solely takes a psychological toll but additionally turns into a bodily risk: three-quarters of American adults battle with weight-related well being situations, together with hypertension, coronary heart illness, and diabetes. We all know that diets don’t work, and but we additionally know that extra weight starves us of years and high quality of life. The place can we go from right here?

In Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine, former FDA Commissioner Dr. David A. Kessler unpacks the thriller of weight in essentially the most complete work up to now on this subject, giving listeners the ability to dramatically enhance their well being. Kessler, who has himself struggled with weight, suggests the brand new class of GLP-1 weight reduction medication have supplied a breakthrough: they’ve radically altered our understanding of weight reduction. They make lasting change attainable, however in addition they have actual disadvantages and have to be thought of as a part of a complete strategy along with vitamin, habits, and bodily exercise.

Essential to this new perspective is the perception that weight-loss medication act on the a part of the mind that’s liable for cravings. In essence, the medication tamp down the addictive circuits that overwhelm rational decision-making and quiet the “meals noise” that distracts us. Figuring out these mechanisms permits us to develop a method for efficient long-term weight reduction, and that begins with naming the elephant within the room: ultraformulated meals are addictive. Losing a few pounds is a technique of treating dependancy.

On this landmark audiobook, one of many nation’s main public well being officers breaks taboos round this fraught dialog, giving listeners the instruments to unplug the mind’s addictive wiring and alter their relationship with meals. Dr. Kessler cautions that medication, on their very own, pose severe dangers and aren’t a common answer. However with this new understanding of the brain-body suggestions loop comes new potentialities for our well being and freedom from a lifelong battle.

Eye-opening, provocative, and rigorous, this can be a must-listen for anybody who has ever struggled to take care of their weight—which is to say, everybody.

A Macmillan Audio manufacturing from Flatiron Books.