The Reality of Food Addiction

Taken together, the data supports the notion that obesity and drug addiction may arise from similar neuroadaptive responses in brain reward circuitries.¹⁹ In another study, researchers posit that intense sweetness from food surpasses cocaine reward.

Our findings clearly demonstrate that intense sweetness can surpass cocaine reward, even in drug-sensitized and -addicted individuals. We speculate that the addictive potential of intense sweetness results from an inborn hypersensitivity to sweet tastants. In most mammals, including rats and humans, sweet receptors evolved in ancestral environments poor in sugars and are thus not adapted to high concentrations of sweet tastants. The supranormal stimulation of these receptors by sugar-rich diets, such as those now widely available in modern societies, would generate a supranormal reward signal in the brain, with the potential to override self-control mechanisms and thus to lead to addiction. ²⁰

In another interesting study, Oreo cookies were found to be as addictive as cocaine.²¹ In a different study, obese subjects showed greater activation in the bilateral hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus, but lean subjects showed more activation in the posterior insula portion of the brain.²² Some scientists have speculated that exorphins from food may have lead humans to initially adopt agriculture,²³ which was a more laborious and challenging way of life.

Cereals and dairy foods are not natural human foods, but rather are preferred because they contain exorphins. This chemical reward was the incentive for the adoption of cereal agriculture in the Neolithic. Regular self-administration of these substances facilitated the behavioral changes that led to the subsequent appearance of civilization.

Other studies have delved into the rewarding properties of both high caloric, and neurologically rewarding foods, such as chocolate.²⁴ Chocolate ‘cravers’ elicit completely different responses, neurologically, than ‘non-cravers.’

In addition to ‘craving,’ there is a host of activity seen within the human brain, in response to rewarding foods or food-based cues.²⁵ Activity is seen in the orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, insula, nucleus accumbens, dorsal striatum, and many other regions.

It’s fascinating that genetic vulnerabilities can increase predisposition to both obesity and drug addiction. This should come as no surprise to those who are well-versed in science. Oftentimes genetics and environment converge to cause dysfunction, both neurologically and physically.²⁶ As stated by researchers:²⁷

Neuroimaging studies in obese subjects provide evidence of altered reward and tolerance. Once obese, many individuals meet criteria for psychological dependence. Stress and dieting may sensitize an individual to reward. Finally, fast food advertisements, restaurants and menus all provide environmental cues that may trigger addictive overeating.

So how does one avoid addiction to food? The simplest method is to adopt a Paleo Diet. Then you will be avoiding processed foods, which are (by nature) addictive,²⁸ since food chemists utilize a technique termed ‘the bliss point’ to keep consumers coming back for more. You will also be avoiding the opioid peptides found in dairy,²⁹ as well as the opioid peptides found in grains.³⁰ Enjoy real foods, and watch your health soar, as your addictions to sugar and other rewarding chemicals,³¹ vanish.

Is Food Addictive from PaleoHacks

References

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