Purpose Wired: Brain Health And Eating Disorders with Dr Jeffrey DeSarbo

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What if recovery didn’t just mean stabilising symptoms, but rewiring the brain with purpose, novelty and intention? Dr Jeffrey DerSabo, award-winning neuropsychiatrist and medical director of ED180, joins us to explore why eating disorders are uniquely half medical and half psychiatric—and how care should change to match that reality. From the subtle language of “I feel fat” to the hard metrics of labs and DEXA scans, Jeffrey breaks down what comprehensive, team-based treatment looks like and why a coordinated physician–therapist–nutritionist model saves lives.

We dig into the neurobiology of a “bucket list” and why it’s far more than travel photos. Novelty and meaningful goals keep dopamine and serotonin healthier as we age, build cognitive reserve, and give patients the intrinsic “pull” to power through difficult treatment. Jeffrey shares the IPIG framework—Intrinsic, Purposeful, Intentional, Gratitude—as a practical compass for both patients and clinicians. He also opens up about clinician wellness, leading with calm in high-risk cases, and how to model balance so teams don’t carry work home in a way that burns them out.

COVID redrew the map for care. Telehealth expanded access, but complex eating disorders still benefit from in-person nuance; we talk about where virtual shines and where it falls short. Jeffrey is frank about rising self‑medication, spikes in anxiety and OCD, and the system-level barriers that slow progress: insurance authorisations focused on BMI, affordability gaps, and the pressure of venture-backed treatment centres. Through it all, he’s committed to education and access—sharing free resources, offering upcoming textbook PDFs to colleagues, and writing at bucketlistdoctor.com to multiply impact.

If this conversation sparks ideas for your own brain-health bucket list—or questions about ED180’s 180-day model—subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review telling us one intentional step you’ll take this week.



📄 Guest Biography

Dr. Jeffrey DeSarbo is a neuropsychiatrist and the Medical Director of ED-180 Treatment Programs in New York. With a background in both psychiatry and neuroscience, he specializes in treating eating disorders through an integrative lens that combines medical insight, brain science, and purposeful living. He is the author of The Neurobiology of a Bucket List and the upcoming Translation: Demystifying the Neurobiology of Eating Disorders. His work explores how meaning-driven choices and lifestyle changes can positively shape brain health, emotional regulation, and long-term recovery.


Contact Details

• Website: https://bucketlistdoctor.com
• 📘 Request a free PDF copy of Dr. DeSarbo’s upcoming book via his website.
• LinkedIn:   / drdesarbo  

About Dr Andrew Greenland


Dr Andrew Greenland is a UK-based medical doctor and founder of Greenland Medical, specialising in Integrative and Functional Medicine. With dual training in conventional and root-cause approaches, he helps individuals optimise health, performance, and longevity — with a focus on cognitive resilience and healthy ageing.


Voices in Health and Wellness features meaningful conversations at the intersection of medicine, lifestyle, and human potential — with clinicians, scientists, and thinkers shaping the future of care.


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