Q. I feel so depressed and guilty after binge eating. What methods do you recommend to break this vicious cycle?

I truly understand how you feel; I once experienced sleepless nights of regret after eating impulsively due to stress. The sense of self-loathing can be overwhelming. However, please understand that this is not a flaw in your character, but rather a malfunction in your body's 'signaling system.' To break the cycle of binge eating, I recommend the following TKM-based approach: 1. Improving Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛): When the Spleen function is weak, nutrient absorption and transport are impaired. This leads the brain to send constant 'false hunger' signals, eventually resulting in binge eating. 2. Removing Phlegm-Fluid Retention (Dameum, 痰飮): An accumulation of metabolic waste, known as Dameum, stagnates metabolism. When the body feels heavy and lethargic, a compensatory psychological drive often leads one to seek stimulating foods. 3. Resolving Liver Qi Stagnation (Gan-gi-ul-gyeol, 肝氣鬱結): When the Liver's Qi becomes congested due to stress, emotional regulation becomes difficult. This triggers 'emotional hunger,' causing you to cope with stress through food. 4. Clearing Blood Stasis (Eohyeol, 瘀血): By resolving stagnated blood (Eohyeol) and improving circulation, physical vitality is restored, which helps alleviate psychological anxiety and depressive moods. The core of the solution is not to force yourself to endure hunger, but to identify and address the root cause of why your body is craving food. Instead of struggling alone, I encourage you to start a comfortable recovery process with a customized prescription tailored to your body's specific condition.