538. The Willpower Myth with Jud Brewer

In today’s show, Professor Jud Brewer explains the neuroscience of habits, the neural pathways involved in forming habits such as emotional eating, and how to bring mindfulness into your food rituals. Jud is a neuroscientist, professor at Brown University School of Public Health, and author of a new book, The Hunger Habit. NEW! Check out the Commune Courses podcast for free audio excerpts of our top courses. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://cmn.to/courses-applepod or Spotify https://cmn.to/courses-spotify or search Commune Podcasts to find the show. Balance Weekend Retreat with Schuyler Grant & Jeff Krasno in Topanga, CA, April 5-7, 2024. This weekend retreat is all about practices that cultivate balance in your life. This will include movement (yoga and hiking), focusing the mind (meditation and breathwork), hot and cold therapy (ice plunge and sauna), and enjoying time together in community. Go to onecommune.com/retreat for more info. In this episode we cover:00:01:15 – What is mindfulness? 00:06:00 – How do our habits develop?00:11:00 – How does our emotional well-being influence our habit formation?00:26:00 – How effective is “willpower” when trying to change habits? 00:41:00 – How can we distinguish emotional hunger versus biological hunger?00:43:00 – How long does it take to form a habit?00:52:00 – What factors contribute to the unwinding of our habits?00:54:00 – What is mindful eating?01:00:00 – What role does kindness play in mindfulness and healthy habit formation?This podcast is supported by:VivobarefootUse code VIVOCOMMUNE15 and get 15% off www.vivobarefoot.comLivOn LabsGet free samples with any purchase at livonlabs.com/communeWakunagaVisit Wakunaga and use promo code COMMUNE 103 to request a sample.LMNTGet a free sample pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/COMMUNE