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Diet, Drugs and Dopamine

The new science of achieving a healthy weight

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About this listen

 INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

'An important and illuminating book.' - Chris van Tulleken, author of Ultra-Processed People

For decades, the medical establishment has been giving us the wrong advice on what to eat; and when we put on weight we are made to feel it's our own fault.

In Diet, Drugs and Dopamine, Dr. David A. Kessler, a leading medic and former head of the US Food and Drug Administration, sets the record straight, sharing new evidence that obesity is not just a disease of the body, but also one of the brain.

He explains how processed food has changed our brain chemistry, creating compulsive cravings that not only cause us to eat more but rob us of the ability to feel full. As someone who has struggled with his weight all his adult life, Dr Kessler trials the latest weight loss drugs, and brings his unique perspective to evaluate their real impact. While these medicines, which work by suppressing appetite, will offer miracle results for some, they are not a cure-all.

Drawing on cutting-edge research on the many factors that influence weight - from neuroscience to nutrition - Kessler presents a new way forward. Eye-opening and empowering, this book is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled to maintain a healthy body weight - which is to say, everyone.©2025 David A. Kessler, MD (P)2025 Macmillan Audio Diets, Nutrition & Healthy Eating Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Weight Loss & Weight Control Nutrition Healthy Diet Mental Health Human Brain Health Medicine
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This is a bit of a sales pitch for diet drugs rather than a science based investigation of food and weight control, which I found disappointing compared to Ultra Processed People. Personally I did not enjoy the narration.

Ok but more about weight than science

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The book helped me to see the struggle of a lifetime with sugars on a different way

Eye opener

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David A. Kessler MD is not the narrator of this book, and only voices a short introduction. I returned it.

Not narrated by the author

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For those that are interested in this topic, the paper book may be better to understand the science. overall it was an interesting listen, but I had to skip a few chapters halfway as I knew the subject matter, or it was repetitive. In essence, this book is anti-ultra formulated food, pushes healthy eating and attempts to break the cycle of food addiction, as they call it. They mention the new weight loss injections a lot, highlighting the real pitfalls and lack of long term data, as well as acknowledging their benefits.

Interesting topic, in depth science, anti-UPF.

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If you only read one book in this genre, choose this one. I think everyone needs to know this information.

Mind opening

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