Can Food Heal Your Mind? A Conversation on OCD, Gut Health & Mental Wellness with Sophia Dawson
- Amy Neilson
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
Can Food Heal Your Mind? A Conversation on OCD, Gut Health & Mental Wellness with Sophia Dawson
In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Sophia Dawson, senior psychologist and founder of Holistic Psychology, to explore one of the most powerful yet overlooked tools in mental health care: nutrition.
Together, we dive into Sophia’s research into nutritional psychology, with a particular focus on OCD, intrusive thoughts, and how ultra-processed foods, gut health, and nutrient deficiencies may influence mental well-being more than we’ve been taught to believe.
This isn’t your typical chat about food groups—it’s a deep dive into the mind-body connection, and the everyday choices we make that either fuel or drain us. From decoding food labels to challenging outdated beliefs about restrictive eating, we cover the emotional, psychological, and physical impacts of how we eat—and how that relates to our long-term mental health.
We also explore the healing potential of whole foods, the risks of the Western diet, and why small, consistent changes are far more powerful than any short-term “fix.” If you’ve ever felt curious about how food might be affecting your mood, energy, and clarity—this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways
Nutrition is a powerful, underutilized tool in mental health treatment
OCD is often misunderstood—intrusive thoughts are more common than we think
Gut health plays a major role in emotional well-being
The Western diet and ultra-processed foods are harming our mental clarity
We make over 35,000 food-related decisions a day—every one of them counts
Movement can be as effective as medication for mental health
“Hard now or hard later”—we choose which version of hard we live with
Whole foods nourish us—restriction is not the goal
Knowledge = empowerment when it comes to making food choices
Healing starts with curiosity, compassion, and connection
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