David continues to inspire change in our field as he challenges the limits of existing care models and substantially enhances our capacity to deliver care that is nuanced and person-centered rather than dogmatic.
Chief Medical Officer, SunCloud Heath
David is one of the most talented and innovative dietitians that I have ever known or had the pleasure of working with.
Affiliate Professor, Medical University of South Carolina
David Wiss is a committed clinician who brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and expertise to help clients find their best path to healing and wellness through nutrition.
Carolyn Costin Institute
David’s nuanced approach to understanding and treating eating disorders and addiction helps patients understand their experiences from a unique perspective and receive treatment tailored to their individualized needs.
Assistant Research Professor, Drexel University
Dr. David Wiss is a pioneer in understanding the integral ties between the fields of mental health and nutrition.
Adjunct Assistant Professor, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health
David is not afraid to carve his own path, which is refreshing and keeps the field progressing. He utilizes his expertise in public health, mental health, psychology, and nutrition to communicate novel work that can be trusted as being thoroughly researched.
Chief Nutrition Officer, Within HealthAbout David Wiss PhD
Dr. David Wiss is an independent thinker unafraid to challenge the status quo in the nutrition field. Dr. Wiss pioneered the field of nutrition for addiction recovery and is a world-renowned expert in disordered eating. His mental health research bridges gaps between neurological, psychological, behavioral, and nutritional sciences.
Dr. David has treated over 1,000 patients in the last twelve years using a food-positive functional medicine approach through his practice, Nutrition In Recovery. Dr. Wiss has developed innovative methods for using nutrition to improve mental health without feeling like a “diet.” Dr. Wiss believes gut health is the key to brain health and wants to show you how to heal yourself and help your clients.
Services
Dr. David Wiss brings his twelve years of experience as a mental health nutritionist to patients, treatment facilities, institutions, academics, and the press.
Treatment
Individual and family counseling, functional medicine, group facilitation
Consulting
Professional supervision, staff training, expert opinion/quote
Speaking
Academic conferences, podcasts, wellness workshops
Collaboration
Joint efforts on research, statistical analysis, manuscript writing
Research
With over 20 peer-reviewed journal publications, Dr. Wiss is dedicated to disseminating his findings and progressive perspectives at the intersection of nutrition and mental health.
Adverse childhood experiences, ultra-processed food intake, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, ultra-processed food addiction, and eating disorder 
This research provides compelling evidence for the influences of increased UPF consumption and UPFA symptoms on the…
Dietary restraint and food addiction
Food addiction cases should always be conceptualized in a psychosocial context, including life history and current mental…
Ultra-processed foods and mental health: Where do eating disorders fit into the puzzle?
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) like pastries, packaged snacks, fast foods, and sweetened beverages have become dominant in the…
Training
Dr. Wiss is available to provide trainings to your staff or organization on mental health nutrition, addictions, disordered eating, and more.
Podcasts
If you would like to feature Dr. Wiss on your podcast, please send a message and we will gladly discuss a collaboration with you.
Blog
Capturing the larger systemic issues in the field, these blogs point to public health solutions. There exists great opportunity to integrate nutrition into behavioral health.
Expanding the Dialogue in Eating Disorder Treatment: A Call for Integration
Understanding Commercial Determinants of Health: Moving Beyond Social Factors
I’ve witnessed Dr. David Wiss guide individuals on transformative journeys toward holistic wellness, personally observing him bridge the gap between nutrition, spirituality, and mental health with unmatched compassion and insight.
Co-Founder and Co-Medical Director, Skylight Psychedelics
Dr. Wiss isn’t afraid to keep it real and has been a solace of comfort for me in the field, trusting he will meet our patients with a level of critical thinking and discernment unique to him.
Private Practice
As a scientist and practitioner, David Wiss has a level of genius that combines rigorous research, creative applications of knowledge, a deeply caring counseling presence, authenticity, and truth-telling.
Philosopher of ConsciousnessFrom The Socials
🧠🥗 FINDING THE SWEET SPOT IN NUTRITION & MENTAL HEALTH
Ever notice how too many rules eventually lead to rebellion while complete lack of structure creates chaos? There’s a better way!
Nutrition for mental health isn’t about rigid rules OR complete freedom—it’s about finding that sweet spot of guiding principles that support your wellbeing while allowing flexibility.
As we teach in @wisemindnutrition: “Rules appear to be very much pass/fail whereas principles introduce more nuance and interpretation, embracing growth and evolution over time.”
If you haven’t tried setting some intentions and food logging in Wise Mind Nutrition, now is the time.
Remember: “Consistency with food leads to consistency with life” but this doesn’t mean perfection. It means developing sustainable patterns that nourish both body AND mind.
💬 What’s one balanced nutrition principle that works for YOU?
#WiseMindNutrition #MentalHealthNutrition #DBTSkills #NutritionForMentalHealth #MindfulEating
🚨 NEW PUBLICATION ALERT! 🚨
This one is deeply personal.
Back in 2020, when I transitioned to a virtual practice, I submitted this project to the UCLA IRB—because if I was collecting data online, why not analyze it?
📊 300+ patients later, the data was ready. Five years later… here it is in print!
This study explores how trauma, PTSD, and ultra-processed food addiction (UPFA) contribute to ED symptoms among adults seeking nutrition counseling.
🔑 Key Findings:
🔹 PTSD symptoms fully mediated (99.4%) the link between ACEs & ED symptoms.
🔹 UPFA explained 46% of the PTSD → ED association.
🔹 Ultra-processed food intake played a role in the pathway from trauma to disordered eating.
💡 Why this matters: This research highlights a blind spot in trauma-informed ED treatment that needs more attention.
📖 The best part? It’s OPEN ACCESS! No paywalls—just science.
Special thanks to @erica.m.lafata for taking this journey with me!
Drop a 🙌 for the full article link & let me know your thoughts below!
#Research #OpenAccess #TraumaInformedCare #FoodAddiction #NutritionScience
Eat for your brain! 🧠🌈
Research (PMID:32220019) shows that polyphenols—potent compounds found in colorful plant foods—may significantly benefit brain health and cognitive function over the lifespan!
🫐 Anthocyanins in berries
🍊 Flavones in citrus fruits
🍫 Flavanols in cocoa and tea
Different colored foods contain different polyphenols, so nutritionists recommend you “eat the rainbow” (Skittles don’t count!)
Brain benefits include:
* Reduced neuroinflammation
* Protection against oxidative stress
* Improved blood flow to the brain
* Enhanced neural signaling
Simple ways to boost your intake:
* Add berries to your breakfast
* Brew a cup of green tea
* Sprinkle herbs and spices on meals
* Include colorful veggies with every meal
* Enjoy a square of dark chocolate
This isn’t about eliminating foods or following a strict diet—it’s about adding nutrient-dense options that support your brain health! It’s a no-brainer…
What’s your favorite polyphenol-rich food? Share below! ⬇️
Mine this week is purple cabbage and radicchio.
#brainfood #mentalhealth #polyphenols #guthealth #brainhealth #nutritionformentalhealth #eattherainbow
🚨 Your daily tea might be brewing more than just flavor—it could be steeping BILLIONS of microplastics! ☕⚠️
A new study (PMID:39542373) found that tea bags made from polypropylene, nylon, and cellulose release massive amounts of plastic into your drink. 😳 Some particles even penetrate human cells, raising health concerns!
💡 How to sip smarter:
✔️ Opt for loose-leaf tea with a stainless steel infuser
✔️ Choose plastic-free tea bags (paper or cotton-based)
✔️ Use filtered water to reduce microplastic intake
Your tea should be soothing—not toxic. Share this post to spread awareness! 💚♻️
#Microplastics #TeaLovers #FoodSafety #HealthyLiving #PlasticFree #EcoFriendly
🚨 New Study: Your Cookware May Be Adding Microplastics to Your Meals! 🍽️⚠️
A new study reveals that plastic and non-stick cookware could contaminate food with thousands of microplastics yearly. Researchers found that standard kitchen tools—like plastic utensils, chopping boards, and nonstick pans—release tiny plastic particles into food, especially as they age and wear down.
🔬 Key findings:
✅ Old & new plastic cookware shed 2,409-4,964 microplastics per year into home-cooked food
✅ Non-stick pans & silicone utensils contribute to contamination
✅ Non-plastic cookware (stainless steel, glass) did not release microplastics
💡 What you can do:
✔️ Avoid scratched or worn non-stick pans
✔️ Switch to stainless steel, ceramic, or cast iron
✔️ Use wood utensils instead of plastic
The health risks of ingesting microplastics are still unclear, but reducing exposure is smart. ♻️💙
#Microplastics #ToxicCookware #HealthyLiving #FoodSafety
Valentine’s Day 2025 marks 5 years since our first kiss ❤️
Came to the same restaurant to reflect on how much we’ve grown. Love heals and changes people at the deepest possible level 🥰
Second pic is the night when pheromones were exchanged in the fall of 2019 at a wedding. Texting started after that 😘
Third pic is the beginning of the lockdown in March 2020. We did that whole year together and every minute since 🏡
I love you so deeply @miracleworkher we have only begun the building process. Thanks for being my spiritual partner in life. You are the sexiest woman I’ve ever known and I’m the luckiest man in the world to be your hubby.
#valentines #valentinesday #couplegoals
Dear @robertfkennedyjr congrats!!!
I stood by you when you were on the left, when you ran independent, and when you landed on the right 🇺🇸
I have never publicly endorsed anyone but I believe in you with every fiber of my being!
We have had the same mission for over a decade: to find out the truth about health when corporate interests are disentangled 🤑
It’s very meaningful work you are doing and I will stand by you, defend you, and promote the mission, no matter the social cost and consequences 🫡
Today is a turning point in the health of our nation. I couldn’t be more excited and more proud! LFG 🌱
#MAHA
How much do mental health disorders cost the US each year?
A shocking $300 Billion. While staggering, the amount of suffering experienced by Americans cannot be quantified.
There are 6 commodity industries that are linked with depressive symptoms: alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, ultra processed foods, gambling, social media and fossil fuels.
So many individuals struggle to improve their mental health even with treatment interventions and lifestyle changes.
Is it time for these industries to have some accountability for their contributions to the problem?
#CDOH #publichealth
