Sugar, stress and the mind-body connection | Sophie Hascher | #034 Mastering Change

When we talk about mental health, we often forget one major ingredient – sugar. In this episode of Mastering Change, neuroscientist Sophie Hascher joins us to explore how sugar addiction affects emotional wellbeing – and what happens when we start reconnecting to the body. Sophie shares research showing that people higher on the sugar addiction scale are much more likely to experience anxiety, depression and chronic stress. She explains how sugar impacts the brain’s reward system and why we need to look beyond willpower and into biology. “When we talk about mental health, we need to include the body – the mind, brain and biochemistry all work together.” We discuss the benefits of reducing sugar, how the nervous system begins to recalibrate, and why drugs like Ozempic may reduce appetite but miss the deeper causes of imbalance. Sophie offers a grounded, evidence-based perspective on healing that goes beyond restriction – one that’s about understanding the whole system and coming back into relationship with yourself. We also explore: How sugar affects dopamine, mood and focus The connection between sugar, anxiety and depression Why mental health isn’t just in the mind, but in the body The limits of Ozempic and why there’s no “silver bullet” for healing Practical ways to reconnect with your body’s natural cues Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive topics related to addiction, food and mental health. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcastFollow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltdVisit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.