NourishED Programs, Events & More
NourishED Research Summit
NourishED Mindfulness Skills Course
Upcoming Events & Workshops
The NourishED Research Summit offers a three-day virtual conference experience for whole-health researchers, clinicians, activists, advocates, policymakers, and YOU! This event features presentations that cover topics such as neurobiology, mental health, trauma and adversity, public health policy, and treatment innovation for eating disorders, including Binge Eating Disorder. Additionally, participants can enhance their understanding through a Mindfulness Skills Course designed for everyone. Join us!
Upcoming Events & Workshops
NourishED Mindfulness Skills Course
Upcoming Events & Workshops
Explore NourishED’s calendar of upcoming learning opportunities, including the virtual NourishED Research Summit (Sept 13–14), immersive mindfulness skills courses, and tailored workshops aimed at addressing topics such as Binge Eating Disorder. Whether you’re joining as a non-member, partner, or participant, each event is designed to advance understanding, foster connection, and support personal and research-driven growth.
NourishED Mindfulness Skills Course
NourishED Mindfulness Skills Course
Mental Health Screening & Resources
The NourishED Mindfulness Skills Course is a 12-session program focused on mindfulness, offered in two formats: (1) live/group sessions and (2) asynchronous (self-paced). This course is fantastic for providers looking to enhance their knowledge about mindfulness-based interventions, especially in relation to issues like Binge Eating Disorder, and for individuals seeking non-clinical support for their mental health. Additionally, all courses are donation-based, making it accessible for everyone. Don't miss the opportunity to learn more at the upcoming NourishED Research Summit.
Mental Health Screening & Resources
Mental Health Screening & Resources
Mental Health Screening & Resources
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) has a prevalence rate of 20-30%, yet it remains undetected and undiagnosed in 95% of cases. This disorder often coexists with mental health issues, including adversity, trauma, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidality, with a comorbidity rate of 90%. Many individuals resort to binge eating as a coping mechanism to mask untreated symptoms. For those seeking support, consider exploring the Mindfulness Skills Course and attending the NourishED Research Summit. Additionally, free screening tools and mental health resources are available here.
Publications & Impact
Mental Health Screening & Resources
NourishED Research Internship Program
Thanks to the support of our community, we have been able to make a significant impact over the years, particularly in areas such as Binge Eating Disorder and mindfulness practices. This occurs at many levels, including our high-impact-factor publications and the Mindfulness Skills Course, which help to shape ongoing research and clinical care. Learn more about our NourishED Research Summit and publications.
NourishED Research Internship Program
Mental Health Screening & Resources
NourishED Research Internship Program
Our internship program equips aspiring researchers with the knowledge, training, mentorship, and experience needed to drive innovation in conscious, whole-health research, including areas such as Binge Eating Disorder. Participants will gain competencies in scientific inquiry and literacy, as well as preclinical, clinical, and contemplative approaches to research and care. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to engage with initiatives like the Mindfulness Skills Course and the NourishED Research Summit.
Participate in NourishED Research (Participant Page)
Participate in NourishED Research (Participant Page)
Participate in NourishED Research (Participant Page)
We prioritize research on Binge Eating Disorder that includes the 95% of adults who never receive a formal diagnosis or self-recognition, the 60-90% who never pursue or receive standard treatment, and individuals from all race, ethnic, religious, sex, gender, and socio-economic statuses. Our findings will be presented at the upcoming NourishED Research Summit, which also features a Mindfulness Skills Course aimed at supporting those affected.
NourishED Research Projects
Participate in NourishED Research (Participant Page)
Participate in NourishED Research (Participant Page)
All NourishED Research Projects share a common goal: to enhance the collective awareness, understanding, and clear-seeing (Prajna) of clinical and nonclinical adults dealing with binge eating disorder, as well as other issues related to health disparity and self-efficacy. This includes initiatives like the Mindfulness Skills Course and contributions from the NourishED Research Summit.
Research Resouces
Participate in NourishED Research (Participant Page)
Research Resouces
Explore our research hub featuring a free qualitative research micro-course, ethical research guidelines, internship opportunities, and access to publications and upcoming NourishED Research Summit materials—everything you need to support informed, inclusive, and community-based research, including resources related to Binge Eating Disorder and our Mindfulness Skills Course.
NRFi Research: Binge Eating Disorder
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
🔎 Binge eating disorder (BED) is a mental health diagnosis, recognized in the APA's Diagnostic Manual (DSM-5/TR)(1).
🩺 Binge eating disorder is characterized by:
✔️ Rapidly eating objectively large amounts of food
("More than others would in similar situations").
("Past the point of being uncomfortably full").
✔️ Associated with loss of control and distress.
✔️ Accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame.
✔️ Without compensation (e.g., purging).
✔️ Occurs in ~2-hr windows, weekly, for ≥ 3 months.
📈 22% of adults will experience BED in their lifetime (2).
❤️🩹 90% of folks with BED experience trauma, substance use, anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes, and/or heart disease that significantly impair quality of life and often prompt binge eating as ways to mask or cope (3,4,5,6,7,8).
To help manage symptoms, participants are encouraged to explore strategies such as those offered in a Mindfulness Skills Course, which can be beneficial for individuals dealing with Binge Eating Disorder. Additionally, the NourishED Research Summit provides valuable insights into effective treatment approaches and support for those affected by BED.
Binge Eating Disorder Treatment
Standard guideline treatments for Binge Eating Disorder (BED) include (9): 🧠 Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). 💊 Pharmacotherapy (antidepressants, Vyvanse). 🥗 Behavioral weight loss.
Standard treatments have (6-9): 🔎 Low treatment rates (38.3%–43.6%). 🔎 High recurrence rates (49%–64%). 🔎 High rates of treatment dissatisfaction. 🔎 High rates of early discontinuation of care.
Interventions with increasing use & support (6-8,10): Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT). 🧘♀️ Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs), including courses that enhance mindfulness skills. 🤝 Community-Based Approaches (Twelve Step). 📚 Guided Self-Help Approaches (G-SH). 📱 Virtual Platforms (Noom, Brightline). 💉 GLP-1 Inhibitors (Ozempic, Wygovi).
Studies find that 55 - 95% of folks with BED (3-8): ❌ 95% Don't know they have an eating disorder. ❌ 95% Never receive a formal diagnosis. ❌ 95% Don't recognize the need for treatment. ❌ 56% - 87% Never access standard treatment. ❌ 85% Lack access to healthcare. Additionally, the NourishED Research Summit highlights the importance of addressing these gaps in treatment and awareness.
The "SWAG" Stereotype in BED
🚨 The "SWAG" stereotype ascribes all eating disorders to Skinny, White, Affluent Girls with food restraint (3-4,7-8). 🚨
The SWAG demographic:
🔎 Saturates treatment-seeking populations.
🔎 Saturates research samples that:
🤔 Recruit from treatment centers.
🤔 Inform our understanding of binge eating disorder and possible treatment solutions, including insights from the NourishED Research Summit.
🔎 Represents <5% of folks with binge eating.
🚨 This dangerous stereotype results in misunderstanding about what binge eating disorder truly is and contributes to under-screening and low treatment success rates. Incorporating mindfulness skills courses could help improve outcomes (3-4,7-8). 🚨
Put the SWAG Stereotype to BED
🤔 Did you know ... that (3-4, 7-8):
🏳️🌈 BIPOC & LGBTQ2+ individuals face 2- & 3x higher risks and prevalence rates of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) compared to their WCHA* peers.
🛒 Approximately 52% of users at food pantries meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, most commonly binge eating disorder.
⚖️ Food insecurity and reliance on government assistance can double or triple the risk of developing binge eating disorder.
❤️🩹 Adverse childhood experiences and trauma—including abuse, neglect, and PTSD—are highly prevalent in individuals with BED, significantly increasing their risk.
🔎 These findings indicate a different pathology than that associated with the
SWAG Stigma in Healthcare
🚨 The SWAG stereotype and other forms of stigma have serious repercussions for the diagnosis and treatment of Binge Eating Disorder (BED).
🏳️🌈 BIPOC and LGBTQ2+ folks (3-4, 7-8):
• ❌ Experience 2- & 3x higher risks and prevalence rates of BED.
• ❌ Are 50% less likely to be screened for an eating disorder.
• ❌ Are 50% less likely to receive a diagnosis or care.
• ❌ Are represented in less than 10% of research samples.
To address these disparities, initiatives such as the Mindfulness Skills Course and the NourishED Research Summit are essential in promoting better understanding and care for affected communities.
Binge Eating Disorder is a Social Justice Issue
🌱 At NourishED, we view research, such as our findings on Binge Eating Disorder, as just the first step. 🌱 🤝 We place equal value on translating research findings into clinical practice, which is why we offer a Mindfulness Skills Course to help individuals apply these insights. 🤝 🎥 Check out this 30-min keynote presentation our Director, Brenna Bray, PhD gave at the recent NourishED Research Summit during the International Conference on Alternative Medicine and Integrative Healthcare (AMIH2025).
NourishED Mission: Your Health in Your Hands
The NourishED Research Foundation (NRFi) is committed to catalyzing breakthroughs in understanding, awareness, prevention, and access to healing, particularly for individuals facing eating disorders such as Binge Eating Disorder. We also focus on clinical and lived experiences related to health self-efficacy, health equity, and health disparity. Our initiatives include the Mindfulness Skills Course, designed to enhance personal well-being. At NourishED, we strive to empower you to take control of your health, culminating in events like the NourishED Research Summit that brings together experts and advocates in the field.
NRFi Research Priorities I
We prioritize community-based research that can identify and test new treatment options for Binge Eating Disorder. These options are designed to be free or low cost, remote or community-based, socioculturally and demographically sensitive and inclusive, non-stigmatizing, trauma-informed, empirically and biomedically sound, and easily accessible to those in need. Additionally, our initiatives, such as the Mindfulness Skills Course and the NourishED Research Summit, aim to further support individuals looking for effective solutions.
NRFi Research Priorities II
Our research prioritizes the 50-95% of adults with eating disorders, including those with Binge Eating Disorder, who: Never receive a formal diagnosis (95%). Lack self-recognition (95%). Are not represented in research (90%). Lack access to healthcare (85%). Lack access to standard treatment (85%). Fail to respond to conventional treatments (65%). Experience trauma, stigmatization, and invalidation, including from healthcare professionals (80-95%). This aligns with discussions from the Mindfulness Skills Course and insights shared at the NourishED Research Summit. (See supporting citations in Bray et al., 2022-5).
Hi there!
Welcome to NourishED! We're a 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization that uses uses research to improve awareness, prevention, treatment outcomes, and lived experiences of eating disorders and other mental health disparities. We're so glad you're here!