"I was really good at getting high, and really bad at being happy". Every addict needs to internalize this.

This just may be the best channel on KZfaq.

I don't eat a lot of carbs. But when I do, I turn into a whole other person. And that guy, that guy eats a shitload of carbs.

Wish I would have heard this 20 years ago.

Dr. Cywes is one of the few physicians, within the health space, that truly speaks to the addictive nature of carbohydrates. Even among physicians who are low carb proponents, few really delve into just how enslaved people are to this unnecessary substance. They just talk about getting rid of it, and how it is central to the etiology of insulin resistance. I would argue that since highly refined carbohydrates and sugars are nearly ubiquitous in our food supply, our environment is even more conducive to keeping people hooked on sugars and carbs than any other substance that we would classify as addictive. Alcohol and cigarettes are not sold in every fast food restaurant and vending machine. There are legal restrictions as to what age group can purchase these substances. Cocaine and heroin are prohibited. You can't just walk into a restaurant or vending machine and obtain some. If people were aware that carbs can be just as problematic for most people as these other drugs, as our abysmal diabetes and obesity statistics demonstrate, people would not look at that candy bar in the vending machine, or those cookies in the grocery store aisle as some innocuous treat. I am not advocating for a big brother nanny state regulation of sugars and refined carbs. What I am advocating for is better awareness. Kudos to Dr. Cywes for being the tip of the spear in bringing such awareness to the masses.

I'm a carb addict too - I'm 16 days carb sober.

You have changed my life Doctor Cywes. At 79 I’m healthy even though I have 4 autoimmune diseases. Put my RA onto remission 4 years ago. I’m carb addicted and once I put the first bite into my mouth that’s it for the rest of the day. Started intermittent fasting 2 months ago and eating keto I wish I’d done this years ago instead of battling my weight. I now weigh 63kg which is about right for me and I no longer suffer with gerd ! Thank you!

Started keto ✔ Started intermittent fasting every day ✔ Next up.... Find ways to make myself happy 😊 what a lovely message.. Thank you Dr. Cywes.

Everyone wants to improve their life by getting more stuff, getting more skills, getting more kudos, getting more likes, getting more love. Nobody realizes that true success is based not any getting anything at all but on giving up all addictions. And almost everything is an addiction, including getting more stuff, getting more skills, getting more kudos, getting more likes, getting more love. All those things, in their own way, are "carbs," the non-food kind of carbs.

If you as a mature adult were doing this, imagine what it is doing to the emotional & psychological development of children who are binging on carbs.

After baking chocolate keto clusters with all the “good stuff” in them, I came across your video. Result... threw them all in the trash and made a conscience decision to get my high from the gym, Thank you...keep making these videos, your saving lives😍🇨🇦😀💪🏻🥩

I agree with you, Doctor, that carb addiction is emotionally crippling and causes irritability, low self esteem, and can even cause mental illnesses, like depression. The body and mind are inseparable.👍

I’m a recovering carb addict; 14 months clean by following Keto Carnivore. I ate 90% carbs for 50 years. Thanks Dr for your videos which help me continue on. 14 months, no sugar, grains,starchy vegetables or seed oils!

Wow! Those endorphins have had me sucked in for many years! Sugar was my holy grail. Thanks to you and Dr. Ken Berry I have been on keto and IF for four months now, love how I feel. Thank you, thank you for helping so many.

Sugar and starch: my pain relieving, emotion blocking drugs for decades! Thanks Dr. Cywes.

Three years ago, I had been doing keto since February. Amer. Thanksgiving is in Nov. The mom there made the best bread stuffing EVER. I would eat it warm in a square in hand like a muffin. It was what i looked forward to. I had already determined that I was having some with my meal. I sat there with everyone else, hearing "wow, best stuffing, mom" and "even better than last year"... and it was meh. It did not "sparkle".. Angels did not sing around my head as I ate it. I asked someone later, "Was it good" and the answer was "same as last year. good".. and I realized that the only answer I had after going logically thru every reason as to why, was I was no longer addicted to carbohydrates. It was the 'drugs" that made me want it, it was my body that wanted it, not really me. Something else was controlling me. It was a sobering thought.

I love how you refer to carbs, sugar as crystal meth. Cracks me up every time! But so true...

I remember one time driving home from a christmas party ... having had zero alcohol ... feeling like I could easily be pulled over for drunk driving because of the amount of sugar I ate. It did sometimes impare my ability to function. And, my cousin had given me a tin of sugar cookes which are basically shortening and sugar. I ate them all on the way home even though I felt physically sick from the amount of sugar I had already had at the party. I feel pretty confident in saying that is not going to happen again.

"Understand the difference between being high and being happy" thank you!!! I've been clean for a month now and will not be relapsing again :)

You are a truly healing doctor. So honest and inspiring.

"Trade in getting high for the hard work and pleasure of being happy" really struck a chord with me, I rewound and listened to this multiple times as the meaning of the message sunk in. I love how you address the emotional reasons that drive why we seek out and abuse carbs the way so many of us do. Thank you for your videos!

Just had my first call with Dr. Cywes. watched this before the call and again after the call. So glad to be working on my carb addiction. 💕

I agree - when I start eating carbs I can't stop! It is a crime that our government still subsidizes the sugar "industry" pushes an unhealthy diet of carbs as a "healthy" diet, even allowing advertising that eating low fat, high carb is "good"! It's hard to stay disciplined with a lifetime of eating poorly. But I try. Good video and good philosophy .

Last year when my dad was very ill (he was actually dying, but we didn't know that then), I decided to find comfort in wearing my favorite (very soft) shirt, rather than in food. I've realized that comfort foods make me decidedly uncomfortable. 😔 The temporary high that they produce just isn't worth the cost for me.

This is profound and I need to watch it several more times to internalize. It's spot on and obvious upon reflection but oh so difficult to self diagnose. Dr. Cywes is a force for good.

As much as I loved "The Hacking of the American Mind," the 12 minute version was easier to digest. And as a carb addict, easy to digest is something I've become quite an expert on.

Hi Rob, 2020 has been a transformative year for me. I am 54 years of age and at last I have smashed my addiction to sugar. I no longer crave it; I have no desire, whatsoever, to put sugar in my mouth. The Keto and Carnivore lifestyles, and lifestyles they are, have returned my body and mind to health. I never thought I could break my addiction to pastry, cookies and cakes. I am so grateful to you, Dr. Ken Berry and Dr. Paul Saladino.

Truth! I need to replay this everyday. Recent stress and I fell into my old addiction for 2 weeks! Completely out of control roller coaster with the sugar fix followed by guilt, depression, etc. I even started hiding food like I did in the past. Consistent work in progress. Thank you for helping make people aware that it truly is an addiction.

I used to justify that feeding my carb addiction was merely satisfying my hunger so I could concentrate on more important things. But the excess carbs hindered my concentration and made me want more of them. It was an endless cycle. I have much better focus since I all but eliminated them from my diet.

perfectionism is a pathology; the remedy is constructive actions/behaviors. tremendous wisdom for life in this video.

Just wanted you to know, your videos just made so many things click in my brain and completely changed my outlook and life. Thank you so so so so much.

Man, were you preaching today! Thank you.

“ dysfunctional emotional management”.... yes!

The tongue tastes the flavors of happiness and contentment with the endorphins in the brain raised by the sugar and carbohydrates. oh my yes sugar is pure addiction. My mother born in 1920 considered excess sugar as poison. We had very little sugar in our family’s diet. No such thing as snacks in the 50’s or 60’s.

Have you read The Hacking of The American Mind by Dr. Robert Lustig? He explains the neuroscience behind what you're saying with happiness vs pleasure relating to dopamine and serotonin and addictions... :) Love your videos as always!

You were so honest and vulnerable. Thanks for sharing your experiences. It’s amazing how interconnected everything is. We like to compartmentalize. Mental health is separate from exercise is separate from nutrition is separate from our annual check ups and on and on but it’s all really interconnected.

3 years ago >>> 1/2 dozen of glazed doughnuts was real happiness. But since I dropped the carbs, sugar & starches, I become so much less aggressive and lost 25kg

Glad you liked my comment on FB: Thanks for explaining that carbohydrates are in the addictive drug category...I never thought of them that way, but they are.

My story as well. The addiction is about the immediate comfort when life isn't going anywhere near where I'd hoped it would. Your great honesty is helping so many wake up to the realities we all pushed down with one more handful of m&ms.

I have had a lot of stress lately and slipping into old habits of using food to make me feel better!! I am trying hard to get back on track

I noticed if I drink alcohol like vodka I feel a buzz but when its beer high in carbs it seems more pleasurable. I believe the high carbs is really what causes the enjoyable feeling not the alcohol aka carb addiction.

You're speaking my language! Thank you so much for discussing this vitally important subject! You're helping so many of us Dr. Cywes!

I agree 💯 percent with. I loved sugar, breakfast, dinner, and tea. Now I don’t touch the stuff. I’m haven’t eaten it now for two years. Don’t get me wrong, I still crave it sometimes. It’s hard but you get through it. Well done to you. Love your videos.

So needed this today Doc! Thanks for all your videos. Happiness is the key, not pizza. 😉

This is the absolute truth. Why is it that I was able to get this right for 5months and all of a sudden I am giving myself permission to eat crap again? Between my work and two young kids and husband, I am finding to so difficult to have that time of reflection or having time for a walk or other recreational activity that I can find pleasure in. This is a sucky thing to have this addiction.

The biggest problem with carbohydrates is that they are completely legal. Not only that but they are pushed by pretty much everyone that purports to have our interests in mind.

This was very timely, I am a carb/sugar addict and really didn't know it...but looking at it from this point of view it just makes sense. It IS a drug...!

I’ve been on keto for 11 months and I’ve lost a ton of weight but I’m still angry all the time. I can’t figure out why I am always angry and that’s my go to emotion.

Pleasure and contentment, two very different things. It's impossible to happy all the time though, but contentment is possible. Great content Doc :)

I'm sorry that I currently don't have cash to spare to support you and your work. But please take whatever support you can from the fact that following you - as well as doctors Berry and Berg - I have normalised/lowered my blood-pressure (20 mm down) in 10 weeks. That was primary goal. On the side I also dropped 8 kg so far. All in all an effort that has also made me FEEL better. I'm particularly drawn to you ability to take health issues to a higherlevel or wider scope. Evolutionary and even spiritually! I find you more inspiring than most psychologist and therapist that I have sessioned for 30 years! I don't know if I am pushing the idea, but I have had the thought that the stress- and depression breakdowns that I have suffered under all my life - including possible medium strenght ADD - might (all just?) be a result of a carb diet given to a premature, never-breast-fed scrawny infant. And continued for 60 years. Remedied with sugars, rarely alcohol, but currently with a little Ritalin and SSRI's. I don't know if I dare dream utopian of some sort of 'well-functioning-normality' in the future. You are welcome to comment if you have any incouraging words or data. But right now the weight-loss, though stalling for 3 weeks, - is enough to keep me on the keto. So far I can manage 4-5 days a week on fat coffee + OMAD IF / 2-3 days on 2MAD. But back to today topic. You message - already heard twice - is something that deeply resonates with my soul. And it is to be heard again (and again?) . As in inspiration to DO more, make more effort to open up to other kinds of (real?) happiness. I am deeply grateful for YOUR efforts, Rob.

This is why I love you doc, you get it and you’re helping others to get it too. Thank you so much for your message that it isn’t just about the food we put in our mouth. ❤️🥰❤️

Thankyou. I will think of this advice throughout my day. Keto, IF, and a garden to tend. A lifetime here of carb addiction and related illnesses to overcome. One day at a time.

Absolute truth for me. Absolute truth. The difficulty is avoidance. Taking a walk in nature promotes greater ability to avoid. Being creative in the moment rather than reaching for carbs promotes greater ability to avoid. Are there other things to do in the moment to help avoid the pull? Sugar is my evil and it is greater than all other desires within me. I want to break the cycle of being high in the short run vs being happy in the long run, but learning this skill is so very difficult. The Sugar Monster is alive and well and is stronger than I am at this moment. At nearly every moment of my time.

Thank you!

Over the last few years I observed that I became irritable and angry after eating sugar. I have been eating very low carb for 8 months now and feel much more stable.

Awesome! Yes a step back. Thank you

Really wise word. Thanks!

Yup I just love zoning out on my saxophone! Thanks for the reminder 🙏

My deepest respect for your courage= inner power!

WONDERFUL video. Thank you Dr Cwyes! I have been meditating - sitting in the sun on my balcony (so lucky it backs onto a forest), and recently LOL putting a Hawaiian music channel on the TV with underwater ocean in 4K. I’m a writer who hasn’t written in weeks - but getting better at sleep in day - so back to it because NOTHING gives me the happy as much as writing bad grammar like this sentence. 😉 Been keto for seven months - carnivore for weeks. Have not lost 1 pound. Don’t know if my new (6months) night shift is causing trouble BUT MY FATTY LIVER IS CLEAN!!! My carotids are clean (they were not five years ago). I refuse to take statins. Doc is freaking over 5.7 LDL. You are the BEST! THANK YOU!

Wish I knew you earlier in my life. But at least I can teach this to my 14 year old.

Your best video yet, and I have seen many of them. The clarity of "happiness is effort based" drives home all you have said before. The release of outcome metrics and trading it for effort based happiness is genius. You put a smile on my face that lasted most of the video with your 'pizza not as art' comment. Nothing in life is easy, but it gets easier the more you want it and receive the feedback from the pride of accomplishment, no matter how small. Thank you for your work to produce these videos.

I can relate so well to your message. Thanks to you and Dr. Berry I am doing things differently this time around. While I’m still not doing things perfectly, it’s the best I’ve ever done in my whole adult life (and I’m not beating myself up, which is a first). Thank you!!! 🙂

This was an absolutely incredible message!

Emotionally Attached👇 You couldn't even imagine a life without pasta, soda or candy. You might use the word "love" when you refer to certain refined or sugar foods. "I love pasta." "I love cookies."

You are right on the point. I struggle with this daily. I need to find something

However, at the time you did not know/understand this carbohydrate addiction. Most of us have clear vision looking back, but must live going forward. Totally agree with your analysis.

I love your HUMOR...dry or otherwise. Always makes me laugh! Thank you for the wonderful information once again! I feel that way each day on my 7 1/2 mile bike ride. Rain or shine, hot or cold! It is wonderful to be alone with myself!

Thank you for this video. Hope your wife and baby are doing well.

So I have an addictive personality and love to eat, food and drink is a great pleasure for me. Having stopped carbs and on OMAD for a month or 6 weeks I don’t think it compares to stopping alcohol, cigs, opiates whatever. In fact looking forward to having an unrestricted meal out when I’ve reached my target health goals. I have no worries that I will start comfort eating or slide into bread with everything. I buy the addiction model but it’s like comparing a coffee to a line of coke. Carbs are more the coffee end of the addiction scale, of course the long term damage abuse produces can be severe.

Profoundly inspirational words

Watching this video, I realized how I sooooo identified with it. Because I've been a lifelong carb addict, it took me a long time to recognize the enemy within. Often, when people get to know me (I'm a writer and memoirist) they say, "wow you've done so much in your life" or "is there anything you haven't done?" and they sincerely mean it. Watching your videos has finally enabled me to make the connection between emotional mgmt and addiction. In other words I recognized the tendency to turn to sweet foods like carbs and sugary foods was a response to stress and anxiety. At work it was the machine-lined walls of the break room and hitting the cafe for lunch. At home, there sat the fridge chock full of goodies. I made full use of them. Since adopting carnivore and now writing from home, it is no longer the temptation it once posed. My go to now is exercise, not a long, laborious workout but just picking a part of the body and working it. Great sense of achievement every time; and now my body let's me know when it's hungry. So easy to not to eat until your body says it's time. I also find when I'm interviewing someone, whether by phone or in person that I'm so much more relaxed and end up enjoying it so much more...and I think they do too.

Excellent video. "The act of effort....". Definitely food for thought.

Thank you Dr. Cywes for your powerful insights!

He's right. I know it. In 1998, I took a trip to S.E. Asia for a couple months. I had worse carb withdrawals than quitting nicotine, all for want of a sandwich! When I got back to N.A, I found out at the public library that the Rockafeller Foundation was funding and installing wheat farming globally.

I admit I’m addicted to veggies. I gave up wheat when allergy started 1985. Restarted it in 2019 but had no problems stopping again 1/21 since it was again starting problems. I ate rice bread and rice almost daily. Boy the pounds come on. But now don’t miss it. What I need now is to break the veggies at least to small ants at a time. I’m working on it.

I think there are people who are addicted to carbs, and people who just had a bad habit. I don't feel compelled to eat junk carbs (I eat low-carb whole food veggies with my meals.) I think it was about ten years ago I gave up sugar (but not carbs) but when I was diagnosed diabetic, I simply quit the excess carbs and really didn't feel the attachment to them. The only thing that happens to me is if I buy them, I won't stop eating them, so I don't buy them-particularly things like "keto snacks." The things I have to be wary of are nuts, cheese, and convenient snack items. So it's more of a snacking thing I have to work on, and usually at night.

Powerful. And empowering.

I slipped again last night. Roommate eats carb constantly and tries to share with me. She means well I know, but doesn’t understand. I need to get back on track starting this am with my butter coffee. Wish me well ( correction... I AM back on track this am with my butter coffee). I have no problem avoiding her cigarettes or alcohol or drugs because I don’t smoke or use those drugs, it’s so much harder with carbs because I used them for decades and thought it was ok. Also, just got an ad for liposuction, these are targeted ads I know. Stop looking at my flab!

What a brilliant message! Thank you!

This was my experience too. I lost 96 pounds but couldn't help the scale going back up. Hungry all the time, because that's what low cal plus carbs does. Now my weight is completely stable without counting calories, all by taking out starch and sugars. Easy!

Dr. C, this is the BEST! I would love it if you wrote a WHOLE BOOK about this topic! Or, start your own keto/self-awareness/carb recovery online support groups! You are touching many people with this message. You are contributing so much. THANK YOU. With love and support from Portland, Oregon.

Excellent ! I was just recommending your videos to others ... will share !

Woooooooow!! Incredibly powerful!!!!

I am trying to convert to keto. I also taking a 12 week course on Emotional regulation called DBT. I know I needed more tools. I am in 12 step for Coda. I have a therapist and doing EMDR. I grew up in dysfunctional family. I focus on being present doing stuff I enjoy with my husband. Learning how to have healthy relationships with myself and others.

Thank you so much for your videos. Watching this one after a night of binging on wine and pizza was a bit painful but exactly what I needed to hear. I hope to be able to set up an appointment with your soon.

Thank you!!!!!

So well said!

Awesome, 1000% agreed!!! God bless you

Thank you so much for this video!!!!!! It resonated so deeply with me- although I do feel carbs definitely cloud my judgement and thoughts.. certainly not like alcohol did and maybe it doesn’t cause “immediate harm” - but when I eliminate carbs my depression .. intrusive thoughts, anger and racing mind go away. When I eat carbs I’m anxious and struggle with daily decisions and tasks .. I battle being angry all the time and I get offended easily.. and it wreaks havoc in my relationships. And in spite of realizing all this - I still struggle. Thank you for explaining even deeper “removal and replacement”.. this helped me so much!!!

Thanks once again Dr Cywers. Your videos are marvellous. I watch one or two daily to keep me on the straight and wide new eating path I am now taking. I’d love some sort of menu planner if they’re in one, just to help making new meals without or with few carbs. Cheers from Australia.

Such wisdom! Thank you!

This is quite amazing to suddenly really understand about eating carbs being an addiction.

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Great....thank you!

Awesome, Thank you for this!

Trying to break the addiction to sugars is so hard !! I’m doing better than I was but I still struggle 😱and it’s an emotional response to stress !! I need to find something else to replace this addition.

WOW WOW WOW so much truth, subbed !

This is so accurate!

Thank you