Diet, Drugs and Dopamine

"Weaving personal stories with superbly accessible science, this is an important and illuminating book." Chris van Tulleken More and more of us are struggling with our weight - and as Dr. David Kessler, a physician and former head of the US Food and Drug Administration, shows, it's not our fault. In fact, it's more the wonder that we don't put weight on. Kessler explains that obesity is not just a disease of the body, but also one of the brain. The problem is the addictiveness of ultra-formulated foods, which change our brain chemistry, creating compulsive cravings and effectively robbing us of the ability to feel full. As someone who has himself battled with weight, Kessler trials the new class of weight loss drugs and shows that while these drugs can help control appetite, they also pose serious risks. In this landmark book, he gives us the tools to unplug the brain's addictive wiring and change our relationship with food. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled to maintain a healthy body weight - which is to say, everyone.

David A. Kessler is the bestselling author of The End of Overeating. He served as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration under George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Dr. Kessler is a paediatrician and has been the dean of the medical schools at Yale and the University of California, San Francisco. He is a father of two and lives with his wife in Washington, DC.