Food for Self-Medication or a Security Blanket

Some drink to feel good and others eat. Some use pills and others eat. Food can be used to change feeling, a way of self-medicating.

Drugs hijack the natural reward system of humans. Smoking a joint feels like the relaxation similar to two hours in the gym. Heroin gives a pleasure similar to “runners high,” the euphoric state experienced during long distance running. But, like all mood-altering drugs, the pleasure is stolen. It has not been gained honestly through effort, achievement or challenge.

Processed food hijacks the taste buds, stealing pleasure without giving nutrition. In nature, foods that taste good are good for us. Sweetness is an indicator of calories. Saltiness is an indicator of mineral content. A bittersweet taste, like lemon, is a sign of cleansing acids and vitamins. We like food with fats and oils because they supply calories and essential fatty acids. Natural oils and fats are high in calories and fat-soluble vitamins. Healthy food has a wholesome taste, a pleasure intended to reinforce healthy behavior.

Food as a Security Blanket

Food can be used to medicate our feelings. Its pleasure gives a predictable lift. When we feel cranky, tired or lonely, food offers comfort, a comfort on which we can depend, a comfort that brings peace in an emotional storm. However, the reliance on food or any substance to feel better forms dependence.
The pleasure offered by mood-altering drugs and food can easily become a security blanket, insulating us from a harsh world. The pleasure becomes an emotional crutch that makes us weaker by leaning on it. Each time we use it, natural emotional responses deteriorate, and the addict becomes emotionally dependent on the pleasure to control mood.

When we are dependent on a chemical or food to feel good, our self-worth is eroded. We are no longer in control. We are dependent. An addict never feels good about needing a drug. There is a feeling of being powerless that destroys self-esteem.
Every time we are tired, upset or frustrated and use food to feel good, that behavior is being etched deeply into our neuropathways. Whether it be eating potato chips, gambling, sexual perversion, watching horror movies, or healthy activities like exercise or playing an instrument, the pleasure is creating triggers to repeat that behavior. Every time you enjoy a food that is unhealthy, use a mood-altering drug, engage in a perverse fantasy or enjoy being lazy, you are creating triggers. Triggers activate emotions, and become powerful urges to repeat that behavior.

After a lifetime’s worth of indulgent triggers and twisted behaviors, we are out of control. Tidal waves crash upon the shore of our soul. There is no peace. The storm is relentless and the pain is endless. Hope is darkened. Only a glimmer remains. But it is enough to see.

Place a huge CAUTION sign over your pleasures. Choose your pleasures with great care. The pleasure of dopamine can move us forward towards a healthy, fulfilling life or endless indulgence. Through discipline, we can receive dopamine’s pleasure from healthy activities and actions. We can feel good about doing the right thing while enjoying the benefits of a clear conscience and a healthy body.
Through discipline, you can control your neurotransmitters. Imagine being able to create nice, warm feelings … a “neurotransmitter high” without harsh drugs or side effects — just warm, dopamine-fuzzy feelings. Bet you’d be one happy person. In a few chapters you are about to discover how. We call it the Dopamine Diet Plan.
You can master our Cravings Defense System. When emotional and physical cravings rise up like a tag team punching from both sides you can hit back with a few uppercuts. Take no more beatings from Mr. Bigã. Be the aggressor. Fight back. Chase those cravings away with a scowl. Flex some muscles. Show no mercy. Take no prisoners. This is war!

Tag: ,

If a butterfly could talk of its experience of changing from a crawling insect into a multi-colored, graceful, flying creation, it would most likely be saying the words I felt in my heart. My healing through the 40 days of juice fasting gave back what drugs took away. Thanks for your support Tom. You were a good friend when I needed one.-Carl Wineberg
Transform Your Life Today!!!

At the end of the 17-day fast, a physical problem was gone. My doctor had told me I had a stomach reflex disease and would have to take pills for the rest of my life, but after the fast I no longer had that disease; I was completely healed. Thanks Tom, your books and support was fabulous.-Grace Lang
Transform Your Life Today!!!

I have lost over 30 lbs. to date, and have a new look as well as a new outlook on life. Not only did the fasting help me with my physical self, but my spiritual self will never be the same. The books were a total support and read them several times, especially when detoxing and feeling apathetic. I heard you have a new book coming out. Save my email, I want it.-Debbie Ried
Transform Your Life Today!!!

On the 27th of August 2001 I began a 30 day juice fast. I didn’t actually plan to do 30 days, it seemed impossible to even think of. I just began and thought I’d see where it went. Now I stand in amazement. You asked what I thought of your books. OUTSTANDING!!!-Gray Hodge
Transform Your Life Today!!!

This is the information I have been searching for. So clear, so commons sense, I wonder why I missed it. When I was younger, I was an athlete, but now.... 20 years later, oh no. But, you gave me new vision and inspiration. Second day of my juice fast and my wife is loves the recipe book. I would recommend these books to anyone how needs a life overhaul.-Juan Callion
Transform Your Life Today!!!

Ok, I now know just how messed up I am. The chapters on the emotions and eating hit home. I am planning a fast but, I know that I need to rebuild and cleanse my mind of all the toxic thinking and emotions that make me want to hide in the pleasures of food. I feel alive for the first time in many years. Keep on going, Tom you have helped me more than my words can express.-Suzie Bilinere
Transform Your Life Today!!!

Looking at Moreno Tuguinay now, I am amazed. The transformation from a sickly man to a beaming, positively hopeful one, free of all those health problems which have plagued him through the years is simply remarkable – and all achieved without taking any drugs, just juice fasting for a month. For a physician trained in conventional medicine, this is an eye opener.-Dr. Clare Lalwet
Transform Your Life Today!!!

When I started this fast I was taking about 20 pills a day, 4 different prescriptions. Now, after completing a 20 day fast, I am on no prescription medications. I have lost 25 pounds. And I have no swelling in my face, ankles or feet as before.-Steph White
Transform Your Life Today!!!

Claudine Lost 21 lbs. and Healed arm, Spiritual Renewal The result of the fast was amazing... my arm was healed miraculously. What a joy to feel no more pain.-Claudine
Transform Your Life Today!!!

Paul Erwin Lost 12lbs. and Increased Energy My increased vitality was brought home to me one morning after a nearly sleepless night as an on-call chaplain in our local hospital. Normally, I would have been exhausted, but instead I had an energetic and fulfilling day.-Paul Erwin
Transform Your Life Today!!!

Brian Chason Lost 28 lbs. and Increased Enegy and Stamina During the process I learned a few things, some of which I put into practice. Some of the changes that have taken place include clearer sinuses from a reduction in milk; a weight loss of 28 pounds, with eight inches lost from my waist. I really enjoy looking at myself in the mirror now!-Brian Chason
Transform Your Life Today!!!

Elaine Harrison Lost 40 lbs. and Healed Stiffness in the Spine. Specialists had told me that ” full flexibility could not be restored to the spine,” but after five days of fasting I could bend from my waist. Since I broke that fast, I have lived a hygienic-vegetarian diet for the last five years.-Elaine Harrison
Transform Your Life Today!!!

Elizabeth Davidson Healed a Raspy Throat, Drug Addiction, Cancer of the Cervix Remission The fast was ended with a light vegetarian diet. Later I learned she had had cancer of the cervix and tests showed it had gone into remission. Again, fasting had proven its miraculous abilities to cure.-Elizabeth Davidson
Transform Your Life Today!!!

Carl Wineberg Lost 140 lbs and Healed Water retention, Damaged Nerves, Liver and Kidney Damage, Self-esteem. My liver was swollen to the size of a football. I was a 270-lb., burned out drug addict... After 40 days of juice fasting, there was a metamorphosis from a sickly, unstable human into someone vibrant with health and well being. The swelling on my right side from my liver had disappeared completely. I'm off drugs permanently.-Carl Wineberg
Transform Your Life Today!!!

Debbie Ried Healed Water Retention and Lost 30 lbs. I had run out of hope of ever feeling better again. I have lost over 30 lbs. to date, and have a new look as well as a new outlook on life. Not only did the fasting help me with my physical self, but my spiritual self will never be the same. The headaches and the swelling due to water retention disappeared.-Debbie Ried
Transform Your Life Today!!!

Leave a Reply

(required)

Healthy Eating Habits

Eating healthy habits will reduce compulsive behavior.

Recent Comments

  • Eating Healthy Helps Compulsive Eating (3)
    • Keven Saarela: Interesting article. Well done and good luck with your very great work. I wish you have a luxury time...
    • Overcome Compulsion by Facing Failure (3)
      • Blake Rogers: i think that spiritual life is much more important compared to our earthly life.’*,
      • Tom Coghill: Yea go ahead. Just ad my name and a link to the original page.
      • buy ebooks: Hi mate would it be ok if we took some info from here to use on one of my websites? cheers mate
      • Compulsion or Addiction? (1)
        • Nestor Gerstein: Free Blowjob Porn Videos. Tons of hot Blowjob Porn Videos are waiting for you....
        • Addiction Fires Neurotransmitters in the Brain (1)
          • Antonina Uhrig: wow..nice that will be healthy :)
          • Compulsive Behavior and Pleasure Associations (1)
            • SLC Dentist: That is really interesting. It presented me a few ideas and I’ll be placing them on my website...
            • A 30-day Program to Combat Compulsive Eating (2)
              • Rapid fat loss: I really liked reading your post!. Quallity content. With such a valuable blog i believe you deserve...
              • Food Allergies Can Cause Cravings and Addiction (1)
                • Manuela Kaylor: In order to cure bloating you ought to find out the real cause behind it. If it is constipation,...

                  • Categories

                  • Popular
                  • News
                  • Links
                  • Tags

                  Blogroll

                  positive thoughts • routine • minerals • vitamins • healthy • raw food • salt • calories • food addiction • nutrition • food • negative thinking • sugar • pleasure • triggers • negative thoughts • temptation • addiction • revulsion • diet

                  Healthy Lunch Overcomes Compulsion

                  It is now midday. Your body is tired and you crave for a filling meal. You worked hard and you deserve a treat. You think of your unfinished chores and the load..Read more

                  Resolve to Overcome Compulsion

                  You will never score a goal in a basketball game by wandering aimlessly. Your opponents will easily grab the ball from you. To be a great basketball player, ..Read more

                  Scriptures To Overcome Compulsive Behavior

                  When my soul is in anguish and my heart is heavy, I know I can open the bible and my spirit will find some peace. It happens every time. It takes a while but, g..Read more

                  Compulsive Eaters

                  Compulsive eaters take in just about anything. Unconsciously, they eat foods that have no nutritional values. JUNK! Most compulsive eaters are unaware of their ..Read more

                  Healthy Breakfasts Help Compulsion

                  Start your day right. Have a healthy breakfast. Enjoy cholesterol- and saturated fat-free breakfast. The stomach has been asleep. Give it time to wake up. ..Read more

                  Eating Healthy Helps Compulsive Eating

                  You can overcome compulsive eating by eating healthy food. The more junk food you eat the more you crave it. When you eat healthy food, your body starts to cra..Read more

                  Compulsion or Addiction?

                  Is it a habit, an obsession, a compulsion or an addiction? Compulsion and addiction each involve a perceived lack of control by the individual facing them. H..Read more

                  Compulsive Liars

                  A lie could be summed up as a statement viewed by the receiver of the information as false. It has two major determining factors, the recipient of the informati..Read more

                  Leave The Past In the Past

                  Quit living in the past. We all have our pasts to deal with. We cannot fix it but we can let it go and decide to move on. Pick up yourself from the vicious c..Read more

                  Healthy Eating Habits that Prevent Compulsion

                  Your eating habits can increase or decrease compulsive eating. Here are some good habits that you need to develop: Healthy Eating Habit 1: Prepare with Flair ..Read more

                  Overcome Compulsion by Facing Failure

                  Overcome compulsion by facing failure head on with courage. There are many disappointments while fighting to overcome compulsive behavior. You might even end u..Read more

                  Snacking and Compulsive Eating

                  Snacking is healthy, if you snack on healthy food. It is better to eat several small meals a day rather than eat three large ones. You will feel less bloated an..Read more

                  Fruit Salads Relieve Compulsive Eating

                  Dessert is the last course of a lunch or dinner. Fruits are the most common desserts. Most of your meals should be fruit salads. They are easy to make, deli..Read more

                    Recent Posts

                    Copyright © 2010 | Powered by WordPress. Theme and Tech Support by FixWordpress