Overnight Guests and Detox, do they mix?

Just to add another layer of difficulty during "Detox Weekend", we had the pleasure of an out of town guest staying in our home. Crazy, I know but when I am ready to make a change it needs to happen Now, Right Now! Of course I can’t wait 2 days! Anyone who has an obsessive compulsive personality or is living with one, knows that any rational arguments with said crazy person on a rampage are futile. My husband didn’t even attempt it.

Our out of town guest turned out to be a Neuroscientist who’s life’s work is managing her own brain imaging and research lab. Of all the dream guests plunked on our porch, she would be my top pick for understanding chemical impacts of withdrawal on the brain. I had never met her before this weekend, so I gave her my limited liability boiler plate to sign and of course, my apologies upfront. As expected, she was very understanding. She never once commented on my nasty pickle breath or need to suck on bouillon cubes. She even explained why my Dr. was carefully prescribing certain levels of sodium, potassium and magnesium and their collaborative effects and necessary presence for proper brain function.

Our guest’s particular area of study is children with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome. I was extremely inspired by her work and vision for research in this space. However, bringing it back to “all about me” my thoughts wondered to what the brain of a sugar/carb addict would look like on the MRI? What does the brain show when the cycle of food obsession, binge, remorse and extreme guilt look like? Can it be mapped to an image? Do our brains look different from “normal brains”? Would this cycle show the rollercoaster I feel or would just a big plate of nachos show up on her screen? Given the alarming rate of growth in obesity in this country, I am sure this area of study is underway. If anyone knows of any, please let me know.