About Dr. John C. Umhau

Dr. John Christian Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE, FASAM is a board-certified physician in Addiction Medicine and Preventive Medicine whose career spans federal clinical research, public health leadership, regulatory medicine, and direct patient care. His work integrates neuroscience, nutrition, inflammation science, and evidence-based addiction treatment to address disorders of brain and behavior.

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With decades of experience in both government service and clinical practice, Dr. Umhau brings a systems-level understanding of how biology, environment, and behavior intersect in health and recovery.

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Areas of Focus

Dr. Umhau’s expertise includes:

• Evidence-based treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder using medication and behavioral strategy

• Nutritional neuroscience, including the role of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D in brain health

• Neuroinflammation and the gut-liver-brain axis in mood, craving, and behavioral regulation

• Preventive medicine approaches that integrate public health principles with clinical care

• Federal clinical research and regulatory systems, including NIH and FDA experience

 

Federal Clinical Research & Public Health Service

For over two decades, Dr. Umhau served as a Senior Clinical Investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health. His research examined the neurobiology of addiction, nutritional influences on brain function, and mechanisms underlying alcohol craving and behavioral dysregulation.

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As a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service, he also held leadership and medical officer roles, including service within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Division of Psychiatry Products. This experience provided direct exposure to the scientific and regulatory evaluation of psychiatric medications at the federal level.

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Across his research career, Dr. Umhau has contributed to the scientific literature in areas including omega-3 fatty acid biology, vitamin D and mental health, neuroendocrine stress mechanisms, and the biological foundations of addiction.

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Clinical Practice & Public Education

Dr. Umhau’s current work translates decades of research into practical clinical care and accessible education. Through his telemedicine practice, he provides evidence-based treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder, integrating medication strategies with nutritional and behavioral guidance.

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Dr. Umhau has also developed the Ten Good Rules framework to make clear, science-based information about recovery available to individuals, families, and communities. His goal is to reduce confusion, improve access to accurate information, and promote long-term health through informed decision-making.

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Talks / Lectures

• The inflammatory hypothesis of alcoholism and dietary factors which promote recovery from addiction

• Alcoholism: How can medications to reduce craving help?

• Using naltrexone for addictions

• The risks and benefits of The Sinclair Method

• Endorphins: Why addiction prone people are important for society

• Omega-3 essential fats and mental health

• Non-pharmacological treatments for mental health

• Sunlight, Vitamin D, the microbiome, and mental health

• The risk and benefits of sunlight exposure: A holistic view of the evidence

• The Biological basis of loss of control, impulsive behavior, and domestic violence

• Intermittent explosive disorder and the imperative for identification and treatment

• Telemedicine: A new practice path for the solo medical practitioner

• USPHS careers: Is there a future for you at FDA, IHS, or NIH?

• Radiation Hormesis: When is radiation be good for us?

• The development of PET imaging of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)​

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Mission

To advance the understanding and treatment of disorders of brain and behavior through science, clinical experience, and practical guidance — bringing clarity, rigor, and compassion to complex health challenges.