Sugar addiction!!!

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  • vingogly
    vingogly Posts: 1,785 Member
    edited December 2017
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    ninerbuff wrote: »
    hqy2010 wrote: »
    This video explains the effect of sugar on the brain very well:
    https://www.sciencealert.com/watch-this-is-how-sugar-affects-your-brain
    Petting puppies and smiling babies can do the same.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

    Ditto with sex, gambling, and many other things.

    At present, extreme abuse of sugar would be diagnosed as Binge-Eating Disorder and be treated accordingly. People who want to label their use of sugar an "addiction" need to understand that sugar abuse does NOT qualify as an "addiction" from a medical perspective, it's not treated like a substance addiction, and labeling it as an "addiction" doesn't make it one.

    Here are the DSM-5 criteria for Binge-Eating Disorder:
    Recurrent and persistent episodes of binge eating
    Binge eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:
    Eating much more rapidly than normal
    Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
    Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
    Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating
    Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating
    Marked distress regarding binge eating
    Absence of regular compensatory behaviors (such as purging).

    In contrast, here are the DSM-5 criteria for Substance Use Disorders:
    Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than you're meant to.
    Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to.
    Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance.
    Cravings and urges to use the substance.
    Not managing to do what you should at work, home, or school because of substance use.
    Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships.
    Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of substance use.
    Using substances again and again, even when it puts you in danger.
    Continuing to use, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the substance.
    Needing more of the substance to get the effect you want (tolerance).
    Development of withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by taking more of the substance.

    The criteria for diagnosing Binge-Eating Disorder closely fits what people are describing as "sugar addiction" and if you compare the diagnostic criteria to those for substance-related and addictive disorders (see above) you'll see there isn't a lot of overlap.

    The reward system in animals evolved to ensure the continuation of the species. What's particularly characteristic of substance use disorders are impairment of functioning, and continuing to use in the presence of extreme negative life consequences like legal consequences, financial consequences, disruption of relationships, denial of the extent of abuse, and health. The only non-substance addictive disorder listed in DSM-5 is gambling disorder.

    I've yet to see someone bankrupt or serving prison time because of their abuse of sugar. I've seen plenty of people bankrupt or serving prison time because of substance abuse or gambling, however.

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