Detoxing the Mind & Body: Addiction Recovery Through Nutrition, Connection & Humanity with Dr. Fred Moss S02E24

Why Nutrition, Connection, and Compassion Matter in Addiction Recovery In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, host Christina Veselak speaks with Fred Moss, psychiatrist, mental health advocate, author, and founder of the Welcome to Humanity movement. Dr. Fred Moss brings a radically human perspective to addiction, mental health, and recovery. Rather than viewing emotional pain or addictive behaviors as signs that something is "wrong," he reframes them as part of the shared human condition. This conversation invites listeners to release shame, labels, and pathology, and instead explore healing through nutrition, detoxing from toxic inputs, authentic communication, and human connection. Together, Christina and Dr. Fred explore the concept of the three-legged stool of recovery—biochemistry and nutrition, connection with others, and meaning or spirituality—and how imbalance in any of these areas can contribute to suffering, addiction, and disconnection. Dr. Fred explains why the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, but connection, and why healing does not require diagnosis, medication, or permission. This episode highlights the critical role of nutrition in emotional wellness, while expanding the definition of detox to include not just food, but also relationships, media, environments, and internal narratives that shape how we experience ourselves and the world. Key Topics Covered in This Episode Addiction as a response to pain and disconnection, not moral failure Why emotional suffering does not mean something is wrong with you The three-legged stool of recovery: nutrition, connection, and meaning Detoxing the mind and body beyond food alone How ultra-processed foods and poor nourishment impact cravings The role of protein and whole foods in brain and emotional health Why labeling and pathologizing human pain increases isolation Healing through authentic communication and finding your true voice Why connection is the true antidote to addiction Meet Our Guest Dr. Fred Moss is a renowned mental health advocate, keynote speaker, and psychiatrist with a passion for helping people find their authentic selves. He is the founder of the Welcome to Humanity movement and the True Voice Mastermind, where his work centers on the power of communication, connection, creativity, and self-expression as primary forces for healing. Dr. Fred is the author of Creative 8: Healing Through Creativity and Self-Expression and Find Your True Voice!, and a longtime contributor to Psychology Today. His recent work includes the True Voice Course, which helps people rediscover their voice and share their message with the world, and Healing the Healer, a virtual course and mastermind designed to support transitioning healers. Through his work, Dr. Fred challenges conventional psychiatric models and invites a more humane, relational, and nutrition-aware approach to mental health and recovery. Quotes from This Episode "Communication, connection, being with others, creativity, self-expression, and listening are at the core of all healing—not just in mental health, but in all healing." – Dr. Fred Moss "There's a decision the user has to make… the agreement that something is wrong with them. It's in the agreement, not in the substance." – Dr. Fred Moss "The essence is, as things are, you and I are whole and complete right now." – Dr. Fred Moss "All you have is what you have—and you, as you are, are whole and perfect." – Dr. Fred Moss "Mental health is subject to the conversations we use to describe it." – Dr. Fred Moss To Connect with Dr. Fred Moss Website: https://drfred360.com Welcome to Humanity: https://welcometohumanity.net The Undoctored Reset: https://undoctoredreset.com Social Media: @drfredmoss Key Takeaway Addiction is not a failure or a defect—it is a response to disconnection, unmet needs, and biochemical imbalance. Healing begins with nourishment, human connection, and compassion. Discover More Unlock a world of resources at https://aminoacidtherapy.com/ where you'll find expert insights, transformative training, and actionable tools to support your recovery journey. Whether you're looking for professional courses like our Level 1 Core Training Learn more at https://feedtherecoveringbrain.com Support Our Mission Check out our nonprofit initiative, Eating Protein Saves Lives, at https://eatingproteinsaveslives.org/ Learn how we're improving lives and communities through better nutrition, the science of amino acid therapy, and our simple yet powerful message: Eat protein every 4 hours. Also, if you're just starting out or want a solid foundation, check out Eat: A Guide to Radiant Recovery Using Food and Amino Acids to Repair the Addicted Brain and Reduce Cravings by Christina Veselak. It's a clear, powerful intro to the core concepts. Grab your copy here: https://www.eatforrecovery.com/ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is ...