Alright... now for something academic...

UsedToBeHusky

This study identifies the correlation (because I know MFP's forum participants love their correlations) between pleasure, reward processes, addiction, and health.

http://www.nel.edu/pdf_/NEL250404R01_Esch-Stefano_p_.pdf

Yes... okay.

Sugar, food, sex, or just about anything that can generate pleasure through a sensory organ, can cause a release of the hormone dopamine, and has the potential to cause you to develop an addiction. But you would have to consume or participate in a whole lot of it in a short period of time to get to that point. Additionally, it can only be considered an addiction if you have come to the point that obtaining this particular item or activity causes some detriment to you or others.

Narcotics, alcohol, nicotine, and other artificial substances (meaning not food) do not require sensory organs to participate in the activity, and therefore, completely bypass the reward system and creates an automatic release of the hormone dopamine.

This means that people are far more likely to become addicted to narcotics (alcohol, nicotine, etc.) than to food, sugar or sex.


Summing up: Unless you are willing to kick puppies, drain your bank account, or beat up your grandmother for a cupcake, you probably aren't addicted to sugar/food.

milf_n_cookies

I can't even tell you how off base this is, but arguing such points on here is fruitless and often frustrating, so I'm just going back to pigtails and popsicles.

Thomasm198

Summing up: Unless you are willing to kick puppies, drain your bank account, or beat up your grandmother for a cupcake, you probably aren't addicted to sugar/food.

Um......what about kicking kittens and beating up my brother for a slice of pizza? :embarassed:

UsedToBeHusky

I can't even tell you how off base this is, but arguing such points on here is fruitless and often frustrating, so I'm just going back to pigtails and popsicles.

Exactly what is off base? This is a legitimately published work. Are you disagreeing with my interpretation of this study?

ninerbuff

This study identifies the correlation (because I know MFP's forum participants love their correlations) between pleasure, reward processes, addiction, and health.

http://www.nel.edu/pdf_/NEL250404R01_Esch-Stefano_p_.pdf

Yes... okay.

Sugar, food, sex, or just about anything that can generate pleasure through a sensory organ, can cause a release of the hormone dopamine, and has the potential to cause you to develop an addiction. But you would have to consume or participate in a whole lot of it in a short period of time to get to that point. Additionally, it can only be considered an addiction if you have come to the point that obtaining this particular item or activity causes some detriment to you or others.

Narcotics, alcohol, nicotine, and other artificial substances (meaning not food) do not require sensory organs to participate in the activity, and therefore, completely bypass the reward system and creates an automatic release of the hormone dopamine.

This means that people are far more likely to become addicted to narcotics (alcohol, nicotine, etc.) than to food, sugar or sex.


Summing up: Unless you are willing to kick puppies, drain your bank account, or beat up your grandmother for a cupcake, you probably aren't addicted to sugar/food.

BING. In for this.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

elenathegreat

I can't even tell you how off base this is, but arguing such points on here is fruitless and often frustrating, so I'm just going back to pigtails and popsicles.

In for chiming in with pointless contradictions, and then dancing away like a five year old...

wolverine66

NUH-UH!!!!!!!!!11!!11111!!








so, there.

Morninglory81

Are you saying it is less likely to become addicted to sugar/food or that it is impossible?

UsedToBeHusky

Are you saying it is less likely to become addicted to sugar/food or that it is impossible?

I'm saying less likely. It is entirely possible... but it would take a whole lot in a short period of time.

In other words, only true binge-eaters fall in this category. I'm not talking about people that consume a whole bunch of calories in one sitting, but the people that can empty out their fridge in an hour.

Mustang_Susie

Your definition is a bit vague and simplistic

Addiction:
Medical: compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful- compare habituation

Habituation:
1
: the act or process of making habitual or accustomed
2
a : tolerance to the effects of a drug acquired through continued use
b : psychological dependence on a drug after a period of use—compare addiction
3
: a form of nonassociative learning characterized by a decrease in responsiveness upon repeated exposure to a stimulus- compare sensitization

Sensitization:
: the action or process of making sensitive or hypersensitive <allergic sensitization of the skin>
2
: the process of becoming sensitive or hypersensitive (as to an antigen); also : the resulting state
3
: a form of nonassociative learning characterized by an increase in responsiveness upon repeated exposure to a stimulus

wolverine66

I think "addiction" is often a misused term (like "OCD") that ascribes a serious issue to mild-moderate behavior so one can partially absolve him/herself from responsibility for that behavior.

but what do I know? I just have a couple art degrees.

UsedToBeHusky

Your definition is a bit vague and simplistic

Addiction:
Medical: compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful- compare habituation

Habituation:
1
: the act or process of making habitual or accustomed
2
a : tolerance to the effects of a drug acquired through continued use
b : psychological dependence on a drug after a period of use—compare addiction
3
: a form of nonassociative learning characterized by a decrease in responsiveness upon repeated exposure to a stimulus- compare sensitization

Sensitization:
: the action or process of making sensitive or hypersensitive <allergic sensitization of the skin>
2
: the process of becoming sensitive or hypersensitive (as to an antigen); also : the resulting state
3
: a form of nonassociative learning characterized by an increase in responsiveness upon repeated exposure to a stimulus

Well I only paraphrased the definition provided in the study.

Morninglory81

Are you saying it is less likely to become addicted to sugar/food or that it is impossible?

I'm saying less likely. It is entirely possible... but it would take a whole lot in a short period of time.

In other words, only true binge-eaters fall in this category. I'm not talking about people that consume a whole bunch of calories in one sitting, but the people that can empty out their fridge in an hour.

And you are only talking physical addiction not psychological correct?

UsedToBeHusky

Are you saying it is less likely to become addicted to sugar/food or that it is impossible?

I'm saying less likely. It is entirely possible... but it would take a whole lot in a short period of time.

In other words, only true binge-eaters fall in this category. I'm not talking about people that consume a whole bunch of calories in one sitting, but the people that can empty out their fridge in an hour.

And you are only talking physical addiction not psychological correct?

Addiction is both. You actually can't have a physical addiction without a psychological addiction, and if you have a psychological addiction without the physical addiction, then you are referring to compulsion, which is not addiction.

Addiction is physiological.

soldier4242

I think "addiction" is often a misused term (like "OCD") that ascribes a serious issue to mild-moderate behavior so one can partially absolve him/herself from responsibility for that behavior.

but what do I know? I just have a couple art degrees.

I agree. I keep hearing about people being addicted to just about anything these days. I think if you too someone who claimed to be addicted to gaming and compared them to someone with a true addiction like crack you would see what I mean. I don't think it is accurate to label anything and everything an addiction.

Juliejustsaying

NUH-UH!!!!!!!!!11!!11111!!








so, there.

^THIS!! and I only get off when the puppy screams...so don't tell me I'm not addicted!



IN for just being annoying.

UsedToBeHusky

I think "addiction" is often a misused term (like "OCD") that ascribes a serious issue to mild-moderate behavior so one can partially absolve him/herself from responsibility for that behavior.

but what do I know? I just have a couple art degrees.

I agree. I keep hearing about people being addicted to just about anything these days. I think if you too someone who claimed to be addicted to gaming and compared them to someone with a true addiction like crack you would see what I mean. I don't think it is accurate to label anything and everything an addiction.

I mean... one could argue that it is all just semantics, but I think using the term "addiction" so freely diminishes the accomplishments of those who have actually overcome a true addiction.

nomeejerome

I was always taught the brain does not know the difference between drugs, food, sex etc., it only knows "hey, that feels dang good, lets do that again." (through the release of neurotransmitters) After time, if the behaviors are repeated it can become habit, which through repeating behaviors can lead to addiction, which affects all aspects of a persons life. They are unable to function appropriately through daily living and neuropathways are altered, which makes addiction extremely difficult to break.

UsedToBeHusky

I was always taught the brain does not know the difference between drugs, food, sex etc., it only knows "hey, that feels dang good, lets do that again." (through the release of neurotransmitters) After time, if the behaviors are repeated it can become habit, which through repeating behaviors can lead to addiction, which affects all aspects of a persons life. They are unable to function appropriately through daily living and neuropathways are altered, which makes addiction extremely difficult to break.

That is correct... but the difference is how the pleasure sensation is transmitted to the brain and the rapidness with which the dopamine is released. If sensory organs are used in the transmission of the sensation of pleasure, then the electrical impulses must travel through the nervous system to generate the release. As it travels, the sensation deintensifies and the brain is subjected to a moderate release of dopamine. However, you do not drink alcohol for the taste, nor do you inject heroin for the pain of the stick, therefore, the reward response is far more immediate and dramatic. Addiction is far more likely under those circumstances.

A binge-eater that succumbs to the compulsion of eating, over time, desensitizes the sensory organ (in this case the tongue) and eats not for the taste of the food, but for the act of eating itself. This is the point that food becomes an addiction.

Mustang_Susie

Its more complex with more variables.
Certain drugs produce more intense chemical alterations and are therefore more addictive than others.
Think meth vs. beer.
Also, an addiction to a narcotic occurs only after the person is no longer experiencing pain.
The narcotic can no longer find the pain receptor and then only produces the CNS side effects instead of along with blocking the nerve transmission of pain to the brain.
There are also different half lifes with narcotics that affect duration and liver detoxification.

UsedToBeHusky

Its more complex with more variables.
Certain drugs produce more intense chemical alterations and are therefore more addictive than others.
Think meth vs. beer.
Also, an addiction to a narcotic occurs only after the person is no longer experiencing pain.
The narcotic can no longer find the pain receptor and then only produces the CNS side effects instead of along with blocking the nerve transmission of pain to the brain.
There are also different half lifes with narcotics that affect duration and liver detoxification.

Okay... but I'm not comparing specific drugs to other drugs. I'm comparing drug addiction to food addiction.

I still stand by what I said. An individual is far more likely to become addicted to narcotics/alcohol than sugar/food.

jonsey_s

My cats breath smells of fish.....

Mustang_Susie

I was always taught the brain does not know the difference between drugs, food, sex etc., it only knows "hey, that feels dang good, lets do that again." (through the release of neurotransmitters) After time, if the behaviors are repeated it can become habit, which through repeating behaviors can lead to addiction, which affects all aspects of a persons life. They are unable to function appropriately through daily living and neuropathways are altered, which makes addiction extremely difficult to break.

That is correct... but the difference is how the pleasure sensation is transmitted to the brain and the rapidness with which the dopamine is released. If sensory organs are used in the transmission of the sensation of pleasure, then the electrical impulses must travel through the nervous system to generate the release. As it travels, the sensation deintensifies and the brain is subjected to a moderate release of dopamine. However, you do not drink alcohol for the taste, nor do you inject heroin for the pain of the stick, therefore, the reward response is far more immediate and dramatic. Addiction is far more likely under those circumstances.

A binge-eater that succumbs to the compulsion of eating, over time, desensitizes the sensory organ (in this case the tongue) and eats not for the taste of the food, but for the act of eating itself. This is the point that food becomes an addiction.

But I do drink alcohol for the taste.
I do not like to get buzzed and I am not addicted

UsedToBeHusky

I was always taught the brain does not know the difference between drugs, food, sex etc., it only knows "hey, that feels dang good, lets do that again." (through the release of neurotransmitters) After time, if the behaviors are repeated it can become habit, which through repeating behaviors can lead to addiction, which affects all aspects of a persons life. They are unable to function appropriately through daily living and neuropathways are altered, which makes addiction extremely difficult to break.

That is correct... but the difference is how the pleasure sensation is transmitted to the brain and the rapidness with which the dopamine is released. If sensory organs are used in the transmission of the sensation of pleasure, then the electrical impulses must travel through the nervous system to generate the release. As it travels, the sensation deintensifies and the brain is subjected to a moderate release of dopamine. However, you do not drink alcohol for the taste, nor do you inject heroin for the pain of the stick, therefore, the reward response is far more immediate and dramatic. Addiction is far more likely under those circumstances.

A binge-eater that succumbs to the compulsion of eating, over time, desensitizes the sensory organ (in this case the tongue) and eats not for the taste of the food, but for the act of eating itself. This is the point that food becomes an addiction.

But I do drink alcohol for the taste.
I do not like to get buzzed and I am not addicted

Exactly. If you do something for the sake of pleasuring a sensory organ, then it is not addiction.

lilRicki

Its more complex with more variables.
Certain drugs produce more intense chemical alterations and are therefore more addictive than others.
Think meth vs. beer.
Also, an addiction to a narcotic occurs only after the person is no longer experiencing pain.
The narcotic can no longer find the pain receptor and then only produces the CNS side effects instead of along with blocking the nerve transmission of pain to the brain.
There are also different half lifes with narcotics that affect duration and liver detoxification.

it's called negative reinforcement, by taking the pain away you're negatively reinforcing the behavior of drug use.

This is all just pamphlet psychology. Many things go WAY deeper then just "suck it up you aren't addicted". The brain has only been studied for the last 50 years...there is no way we can pinpoint addiction across the board

nomeejerome

I was always taught the brain does not know the difference between drugs, food, sex etc., it only knows "hey, that feels dang good, lets do that again." (through the release of neurotransmitters) After time, if the behaviors are repeated it can become habit, which through repeating behaviors can lead to addiction, which affects all aspects of a persons life. They are unable to function appropriately through daily living and neuropathways are altered, which makes addiction extremely difficult to break.

That is correct... but the difference is how the pleasure sensation is transmitted to the brain and the rapidness with which the dopamine is released. If sensory organs are used in the transmission of the sensation of pleasure, then the electrical impulses must travel through the nervous system to generate the release. As it travels, the sensation deintensifies and the brain is subjected to a moderate release of dopamine. However, you do not drink alcohol for the taste, nor do you inject heroin for the pain of the stick, therefore, the reward response is far more immediate and dramatic. Addiction is far more likely under those circumstances.

A binge-eater that succumbs to the compulsion of eating, over time, desensitizes the sensory organ (in this case the tongue) and eats not for the taste of the food, but for the act of eating itself. This is the point that food becomes an addiction.

I guess I am just thinking along the lines of addiction being such a complex process and the body and brain having the mind blowing ability to adapt to circumstances. As much as it pains me to use this word....detox. (wait! I'm using appropriately in the context of this thread ) When a person is detoxing off of heroin, there are physical adaptations that occur during the process, which is why methadone is used to counteract. However, in a person who is addicted to food there is a less severe physical response. Having said that, I do not take away from the struggles from either group. There is so much that is involved in the assessment process of diagnosis that it is difficult to sum up in one document. But........................

I do understand the essence of the thread. :flowerforyou:

ldrosophila

My addiction has ruined my life and controls my thoughts. If I continue down this pass I can expect an early death or a debilitated life.

Not sure the point of your post, but some struggle day to day to avoid killing oneself to the cycle of addiction.

Mustang_Susie

I was always taught the brain does not know the difference between drugs, food, sex etc., it only knows "hey, that feels dang good, lets do that again." (through the release of neurotransmitters) After time, if the behaviors are repeated it can become habit, which through repeating behaviors can lead to addiction, which affects all aspects of a persons life. They are unable to function appropriately through daily living and neuropathways are altered, which makes addiction extremely difficult to break.

That is correct... but the difference is how the pleasure sensation is transmitted to the brain and the rapidness with which the dopamine is released. If sensory organs are used in the transmission of the sensation of pleasure, then the electrical impulses must travel through the nervous system to generate the release. As it travels, the sensation deintensifies and the brain is subjected to a moderate release of dopamine. However, you do not drink alcohol for the taste, nor do you inject heroin for the pain of the stick, therefore, the reward response is far more immediate and dramatic. Addiction is far more likely under those circumstances.

A binge-eater that succumbs to the compulsion of eating, over time, desensitizes the sensory organ (in this case the tongue) and eats not for the taste of the food, but for the act of eating itself. This is the point that food becomes an addiction.

But I do drink alcohol for the taste.
I do not like to get buzzed and I am not addicted

Exactly. If you do something for the sake of pleasuring a sensory organ, then it is not addiction.

But I used to be addicted while enjoying the taste at the same time.

Mustang_Susie

My addiction has ruined my life and controls my thoughts. If I continue down this pass I can expect an early death or a debilitated life.

Not sure the point of your post, but some struggle day to day to avoid killing oneself to the cycle of addiction.

You're on the right path to win the battle.
I wish you success and health

nomeejerome

My addiction has ruined my life and controls my thoughts. If I continue down this pass I can expect an early death or a debilitated life.

Not sure the point of your post, but some struggle day to day to avoid killing oneself to the cycle of addiction.

You have recognized it and not many people can do that. You are right, there are so many people who struggle every single day and I hope you continue to fight for your life.

UsedToBeHusky

My addiction has ruined my life and controls my thoughts. If I continue down this pass I can expect an early death or a debilitated life.

Not sure the point of your post, but some struggle day to day to avoid killing oneself to the cycle of addiction.

Implying I am not familiar with the struggles of addiction. The point to this post was to point out the trivial way in which the word 'addiction' is used to justify a lack of will power and self-control. I have 8 years of sobriety, myself. The fight against a true addiction is nothing like giving into the compulsion to eat a bag of M&M's and that is the point of this post.