William Davis, MD, is a preventive cardiologist whose unique approach to diet allows him to advocate reversal, not just prevention, of heart disease.
He is the founder of the 
Although it is a central premise of the whole Wheat Belly argument, I fear that some people haven’t fully gotten the message:
Modern wheat is an opiate.
And, of course, I don’t mean that wheat is an opiate in the sense that you like it so much that you feel you are addicted. Wheat is truly addictive.
Wheat is addictive in the sense that it comes to dominate thoughts and behaviors. Wheat is addictive in the sense that, if you don’t have any for several hours, you start to get nervous, foggy, tremulous, and start desperately seeking out another “hit” of crackers, bagels, or bread, even if it’s the few stale 3-month old crackers at the bottom of the box. Wheat is addictive in the sense that there is a distinct withdrawal syndrome characterized by overwhelming fatigue, mental “fog,” inability to exercise, even depression that lasts several days, occasionally several weeks. Wheat is addictive in the sense that the withdrawal process can be provoked by administering an opiate-blocking drug such as naloxone or naltrexone.
But the “high” of wheat is not like the high of heroine, morphine, or Oxycontin. This opiate, while it binds to the opiate receptors of the brain, doesn’t make us high. It makes us hungry.
This is the effect exerted by gliadin, the protein in wheat that was inadvertently altered by geneticists in the 1970s during efforts to increase yield. Just a few shifts in amino acids and gliadin in modern high-yield, semi-dwarf wheat became a potent appetite stimulant.
Wheat stimulates appetite. Wheat stimulates calorie consumption: 440 more calories per day, 365 days per year, for every man, woman, and child. (440 calories per person per day is the average.) We experience this, sense the weight gain that is coming and we push our plate away, settle for smaller portions, increase exercise more and more . . . yet continue to gain, and gain, and gain. Ask your friends and neighbors who try to include more “healthy whole grains” in their diet. They exercise, eat a “well-balanced diet” . . . yet gained 10, 20, 30, 70 pounds over the past several years. Accuse your friends of drinking too much Coca Cola by the liter bottle, or being gluttonous at the all-you-can-eat buffet and you will likely receive a black eye. Many of these people are actually trying quite hard to control impulse, appetite, portion control, and weight, but are losing the battle with this appetite-stimulating opiate in wheat.
Ignorance of the gliadin effect of wheat is responsible for the idiocy that emits from the mouths of gastroenterologists like Dr. Peter Green of Columbia University who declares:
“We tell people we don’t think a gluten-free diet is a very healthy diet . . . Gluten-free substitutes for food with gluten have added fat and sugar. Celiac patients often gain weight and their cholesterol levels go up. The bulk of the world is eating wheat. The bulk of people who are eating this are doing perfectly well unless they have celiac disease.”
In the simple minded thinking of the gastroenterology and celiac world, if you don’t have celiac disease, you should eat all the wheat you want . . . and never mind about the appetite-stimulating effects of gliadin, not to mention the intestinal disruption and leakiness generated by wheat lectins, or the high blood sugars and insulin of the amylopectin A of wheat, or the new allergies being generated by the new alpha amylases of modern wheat.
This blog was a huge encouragment. I thought I was going crazy! I’ve had some digestive issues and haven’t been able to feel “normal” energy levels since I had my baby a year ago. I decided to give up wheat and processed sugar, and I’m on day 3. I feel HORRIBLE! Anxiety, can’t sleep, shaky, not hungry but not full, just feeling icky and empty. I have a headache and am in a complete fog. I googled “wheat withdrawals” and found your blog. So glad to know it’s worth it and I’m not alone! I had no idea about the altered wheat, I always just though “people have eaten wheat for thousands of years it must be fine!” Thanks for making this info available.
Hi Dr. Davis;
I too, am feeling the exact withdrawal symptoms as others—before I read the Wheat Belly Cookbook, I was convinced the rice and oats were good substitutes, but I wasn’t feeling any better—in fact, when January hit, my body started to actively rebel against most anything I ate (gas/bloating, stomach pain, skin problems, depression, etc). I truly believe that this book and the information in it, will change the world. I am 42 and have struggled with lifelong weight fluctuations, thyroid issues, chronic skin problems, digestive issues, depression, fatigue—you name it!
Even though I have changed my diet significantly over the years, and have managed to maintain a lower weight through cutting back junk food, dairy, and white bread, and by exercising, it always felt like I was missing a large piece of the puzzle. I had suspected that wheat was the problem, and had clued in a while back to never buy a loaf of my favourite whole grain bread, as I would scarf it down in TWO days, always hungry for more than one slice at a time! Now, I truly get it and understand the addiction, and why I was always hungry after eating a so-called “healthy” meal with whole grains.
I am encouraged to continue through the withdrawal pains knowing that truly great health is on the other side. My skin is clearing up, my moods are more even, and my insomnia is abated significantly.
I haven’t yet tried any of the recipes as I am in the process of moving to a new apartment (and my own kitchen!) but am looking forward to trying the baked goods, especially!
To anyone else struggling with the same symptoms—HANG IN THERE! I just try to focus on the positive changes in your body that are happening already and that “cheating” in any way, shape or form will bring back the nightmare health issues.
Thanks, Chantelle. You were likely close to discovering the answer yourself, just by listening to your body.
Your new wheat-free and healthy life starts in your new apartment!
Day 4- is diarrhea normal part of withdrawal?
Yes it is normal. I had it during the withdrawal period.
Thank you for your book. I’ve been struggling to get off of wheat for a few weeks now. I think I have gotten past the worst of the withdrawals. After what I’ve been through mentally and physically, I am convinced without a doubt I was addicted and that wheat was acting like a drug to me. Since quitting it, I have obsessed, been angry and depressed, had body pain, extreme leg restlessness, fatigue, mental fogginess, etc., just all kinds of crazy withdrawal symptoms. I am beginning to feel so much better now in so many ways I just can’t write them all down. Again, thank you for book. I’m telling everyone about it, my family and friends.
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I began the wheat free diet a few days ago, and have experienced a fibromyalgia attack including muscle spasms and joint pain. Is this normal, and how long will it last?
Like you Jean, I am also very interested in the answer to this question. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Lyme disease. I have been wheat free for 5 days and all my symptoms,all over pain, restless and painful legs, foot pain and walking have become worse. I am 50 lbs overweight and need to lose that weight but right now I am feeling miserable, more than usual. On the plus side I do feel like my cravings are lifting, like I can actually do this wheat free lifestyle which is really encouraging because I have been a binge eater for over 25 years. But what about the worstening of my symptoms? How long will it last? And, thanks Dr. Davis for the great book, its a huge eye opener.
It sure sounds to me, Sandy, that you are going through opiate withdrawal, i.e., withdrawal from the gliadin of wheat. It is worse for people with pain or fibromyalgia, but I have witnessed marked improvements in many of these conditions once the withdrawal process is over.
Jean and Sandy,
Wheat-free people on other sites say that the pain can be re-directed by altering your blood flow. If the pain is in your legs, you can do something strenuous with your arms, and the pain will go there instead. If it is in your jaw (from chewing nuts alot), you can do foot excercises and it will go to your shins. I can’t vouch for it, it was just something someone said. In case it helps. Soon much more will be known.
just wondering if you could outline some of the health effects of feeding wheat to animals? I am a farmer, and raise both pigs and chickens, we feed organic feed, but now I am concerned about the wheat in their rations? should I be?
Well, one good thing about feeding (non-ruminant) livestock wheat: It makes them fat!
Otherwise, this issue is unclear, Graham, to my knowledge. I can tell that the observation has been made in house pets repeatedly: Neurological, endocrine, skin, and behavioral disorders in dogs and cats, just as with humans. It is not clear whether this develops in birds and pigs, but I would not be one bit surprised that health problems they endure may be, at least in part, due to consumption of high-yield, semi-dwarf cultivars of wheat.
Dr. Davis,
I have a family member who never had headaches before giving up wheat, now it is weeks of continual headaches they have had.
If a family member of yours had the withdrawal symptoms you mention in this thread, or the headache that wheat-free people mention, for a very long period of time that began with the giving up of wheat, how long would someone you care about have to have those symptoms before you would take them to a doctor? I know how long I would wait, but I am not a professional, and don’t know much about this diet.
Dr. Dravis,
I am a 20 year old female who is three days in going wheat free. I have read a lot of these comments about the “detox symptoms” and am relieved to know that I am not going crazy! But, the biggest problem I have is in my stomach. I have been feeling pretty nauseous most of the time, and I have these rumbles too. Is there anything I can do to make me feel better? It’s miserable to go to my job and worry about getting sick and feeling crummy.
Oops! I ment to say Dr. Davis.
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Dr. Davis,
I am allergic to coconuts and many of your recipes involve coconut oil. What substitute would you recommend for this? I am most interested in making the flax seed wraps, but am not sure what oil to use instead.
I’ve read your book (am now re-reading different parts) and just eliminated wheat two days ago. Starting to experience some withdrawal symptoms, but so excited to begin this lifestyle!!
Thanks for the information!
Diane
In case Dr. Davis doesn’t get to you… I would look for another oil that is high in medium chain triglycerides, as this is what is so good about coconut oil: Palm kernel oil is 3rd highest in MCTs, coconut the highest. So try that.
Note: palm kernel oil is not the same as palm oil, which is high in polyunsaturated fats and thus not good for you.
Good Luck!
Ok,
So I tried getting off wheat and it’s really really hard for me. I can’t seem to get past a few hours without going into a panic and finding a cookie, or just allowing a little piece of bread with a meal. Like maybe if I cut down, it will be ok. Sorry but I’m terrified of letting it go, it’s everywhere! I’m trying again with this new knowledge in the hopes of succeeding through the first week! Wish me luck!
This means that you have a powerful addiction to this opiate, Alison.
Accept that you have an addiction and accept that there is only one path to being freed from its bonds!
I have quit wheat since 5/24/13 when I saw the Dr. on Dr. Oz show
no wheat, little sugar, but I still feel bloated and nasty, , no weight loss???
is this normal?
This nearly always means that there is something wrong with gastrointestinal health, Carol.
The most common solution starts with supplementing a high-potency probiotic, e.g., 50 billion CFUs per day for several weeks. Many people fail to normalize bowel flora promptly; a probiotic simply accelerates the repopulation with healthier bowel microorganisms.