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Sugar addiction like drug abuse, study reveals

GaleHawkins
GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
in Debate Club
telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/13/sugar-addiction-like-drug-abuse-study-reveals/

Is the science strong enough to settle this debate one day?
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Replies

  • SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage
    SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage Posts: 2,668 Member
    Oh Gale. I love the articles you post. Always in for a good old MFP debate :smile:
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,316 Member
    A MSM article. Enough said. MSM pretty much always gets the story wrong, I don't doubt this is the case here. Looking forward to watching the discussion progress.
  • johnwelk
    johnwelk Posts: 396 Member
    This study was done in rats. We can end the discussion now.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,316 Member
    edited April 2016
    johnwelk wrote: »
    This study was done in rats. We can end the discussion now.

    Oh great, a rat study.

    Correct me if I am wrong since I just skimmed the study, but basically this showed that rats have a preference to consuming something that is pleasurable, and if you give them a drug to make is less pleasurable they decrease that behavior? What is so surprising about that. I didn't see it in my skim through, but did they compare the levels of the stimulation of these substances to the levels stimulated by nicotine or other drugs in similar rats? If not, this does nothing except say pleasurable activities are preferentially chosen and give some idea in terms of neurotransmitters as to why. That does not seem to be ground breaking or even surprising. Now if they showed the stimulation of these substances was at a level that we the same or higher than other known addictive substances, that certainly calls for further study to confirm the results.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    tincanonastring wrote: »
    This makes me wonder what happens when you google "Why isn't sugar addictive?"

    https://google.com/search?q=Why+isn%27t+sugar+addictive&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS611US612&oq=Why+isn%27t+sugar+addictive&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    richln wrote: »
    Here is the actual study:
    http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0150270

    Thanks for the link to the actual scientific study. While I know in my case my 40 years of craving for carbs faded in a few weeks after I stopped eating sugar and all form of grains but it would still be nice to know why.
  • CrabNebula
    CrabNebula Posts: 1,119 Member
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6n3Yc08cww&nohtml5=False
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    richln wrote: »
    Here is the actual study:
    http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0150270

    Thanks for the link to the actual scientific study. While I know in my case my 40 years of craving for carbs faded in a few weeks after I stopped eating sugar and all form of grains but it would still be nice to know why.

    But fat has the same effect on the brain, basically. Not surprising, as it's pleasurable too. (Fat+carbs or fat+salt seem to have the strongest effects.)
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    richln wrote: »
    Here is the actual study:
    http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0150270

    Thanks for the link to the actual scientific study. While I know in my case my 40 years of craving for carbs faded in a few weeks after I stopped eating sugar and all form of grains but it would still be nice to know why.

    But fat has the same effect on the brain, basically. Not surprising, as it's pleasurable too. (Fat+carbs or fat+salt seem to have the strongest effects.)

    Isn't there also something about the timing of the chemical release being different with food than it is with drug addiction?
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    edited April 2016
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    tincanonastring wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    tincanonastring wrote: »
    This makes me wonder what happens when you google "Why isn't sugar addictive?"

    https://google.com/search?q=Why+isn%27t+sugar+addictive&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS611US612&oq=Why+isn%27t+sugar+addictive&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

    loss_for_words.gif


    Why don't you ever post any of those for debate?

    Most nutritional articles are more like religion and politics than based on lab science that gives technical points that have merit to discuss. You want to discuss what to discuss go ahead start that thread.

    Fair enough.

    What are your thoughts on this study-based article suggesting that food addiction is behavioral based and not about specific foods?

    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140909093617.htm
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    tincanonastring wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    tincanonastring wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    tincanonastring wrote: »
    This makes me wonder what happens when you google "Why isn't sugar addictive?"

    https://google.com/search?q=Why+isn%27t+sugar+addictive&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS611US612&oq=Why+isn%27t+sugar+addictive&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

    loss_for_words.gif


    Why don't you ever post any of those for debate?

    Most nutritional articles are more like religion and politics than based on lab science that gives technical points that have merit to discuss. You want to discuss what to discuss go ahead start that thread.

    Fair enough.

    What are your thoughts on this study-based article suggesting that food addiction is behavioral based and not about specific foods?

    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140909093617.htm

    The scientist in me can agree with those findings. I had a hard two weeks when I left sugar and all grains cold turkey Oct 2014. It could have just been a reaction of microbe die off that had been sending chemicals to my brain demanding I eat more carbs. I will never know in my case.

    I do understand why people state they had a withdrawal from sugar/carbs. The chemical/emotional pathways I do not understand.

  • abatonfan
    abatonfan Posts: 1,120 Member
    Or is all food potentially addictive?
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22641965

    Is it the food that stimulates dopamine release like heroin, or is it the heroin that stimulates dopamine release like food (with the food-dopamine release being a survival mechanism).
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    tincanonastring wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    richln wrote: »
    Here is the actual study:
    http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0150270

    Thanks for the link to the actual scientific study. While I know in my case my 40 years of craving for carbs faded in a few weeks after I stopped eating sugar and all form of grains but it would still be nice to know why.

    But fat has the same effect on the brain, basically. Not surprising, as it's pleasurable too. (Fat+carbs or fat+salt seem to have the strongest effects.)

    Isn't there also something about the timing of the chemical release being different with food than it is with drug addiction?

    Yes, I believe so. I was comparing fat and sugar and ignoring the drug bit. Another difference that seems to me pretty compelling is that the pleasure that encourages us to eat (and have sex) makes sense from an evolutionary perspective, it should be how we work--to find pleasure in sustaining ourselves and reproducing. Drugs co-opt that pathway so that we lose interest in the behaviors that keep us alive and focused in on the drugs in a distorted way.
  • unawind
    unawind Posts: 46 Member
    DrEnalg wrote: »
    Pleasurable activities activate the pleasure centers of the brain. Drugs and eating sugar are pleasurable, which is why people do them.

    So is listening to Mozart, watching a beautiful sunset, or getting a good backrub or a hug from a loved one. I would wager all of these things activate the pleasure circuits in the brain "similar to drugs of abuse." Don't know why this is even surprising or even that interesting.

    Unfortunately there are not entire industries, vending machines or supermarket aisles dedicated to selling back rubs, hugs, kittens or winning bingo. :(
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    unawind wrote: »
    DrEnalg wrote: »
    Pleasurable activities activate the pleasure centers of the brain. Drugs and eating sugar are pleasurable, which is why people do them.

    So is listening to Mozart, watching a beautiful sunset, or getting a good backrub or a hug from a loved one. I would wager all of these things activate the pleasure circuits in the brain "similar to drugs of abuse." Don't know why this is even surprising or even that interesting.

    Unfortunately there are not entire industries, vending machines or supermarket aisles dedicated to selling back rubs, hugs, kittens or winning bingo. :(

    There are massage parlors and spas all over the place. The entire music industry. The internet is structurally supported by the pleasure of watching cats. There are several Native American tribes whose sole support is selling the thrill of winning at the blackjack tables. I could argue that selling ALL the things that cue the pleasure response and hook us into wanting more & more without even realizing it is the primary focus on all industry.

    Here on Long Island, you can't get through a day without radio, TV, billboards, posters, etc convincing you your life would be better if you bought a soda, got a massage and facial, took a bus up to Connecticut to gamble, and purchased an over-priced pure-bred cat and/or dog then go have a craft brew while listening to a live band.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    richln wrote: »
    Here is the actual study:
    http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0150270

    Thanks for the link to the actual scientific study. While I know in my case my 40 years of craving for carbs faded in a few weeks after I stopped eating sugar and all form of grains but it would still be nice to know why.

    But fat has the same effect on the brain, basically. Not surprising, as it's pleasurable too. (Fat+carbs or fat+salt seem to have the strongest effects.)

    Yeah, I'm all about fat+salt. I can eat a bite-size Milky Way, or a small serving of ice cream and be happy. But chips, fries, bacon, cheese I could eat until I puke. I love lobster because of the dish of melted salted-butter.

    Now I'm hungry...
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    richln wrote: »
    Here is the actual study:
    http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0150270

    Thanks for the link to the actual scientific study. While I know in my case my 40 years of craving for carbs faded in a few weeks after I stopped eating sugar and all form of grains but it would still be nice to know why.

    But fat has the same effect on the brain, basically. Not surprising, as it's pleasurable too. (Fat+carbs or fat+salt seem to have the strongest effects.)

    Yeah, I'm all about fat+salt. I can eat a bite-size Milky Way, or a small serving of ice cream and be happy. But chips, fries, bacon, cheese I could eat until I puke. I love lobster because of the dish of melted salted-butter.

    Now I'm hungry...

    oh-yes.gif
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,316 Member
    unawind wrote: »
    DrEnalg wrote: »
    Pleasurable activities activate the pleasure centers of the brain. Drugs and eating sugar are pleasurable, which is why people do them.

    So is listening to Mozart, watching a beautiful sunset, or getting a good backrub or a hug from a loved one. I would wager all of these things activate the pleasure circuits in the brain "similar to drugs of abuse." Don't know why this is even surprising or even that interesting.

    Unfortunately there are not entire industries, vending machines or supermarket aisles dedicated to selling back rubs, hugs, kittens or winning bingo. :(

    So we should stop selling food?
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    rileysowner wrote: »
    unawind wrote: »
    DrEnalg wrote: »
    Pleasurable activities activate the pleasure centers of the brain. Drugs and eating sugar are pleasurable, which is why people do them.

    So is listening to Mozart, watching a beautiful sunset, or getting a good backrub or a hug from a loved one. I would wager all of these things activate the pleasure circuits in the brain "similar to drugs of abuse." Don't know why this is even surprising or even that interesting.

    Unfortunately there are not entire industries, vending machines or supermarket aisles dedicated to selling back rubs, hugs, kittens or winning bingo. :(

    So we should stop selling food?

    It would probably reduce obesity.

    Unintended consequences might be a kitten, however.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,316 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    rileysowner wrote: »
    unawind wrote: »
    DrEnalg wrote: »
    Pleasurable activities activate the pleasure centers of the brain. Drugs and eating sugar are pleasurable, which is why people do them.

    So is listening to Mozart, watching a beautiful sunset, or getting a good backrub or a hug from a loved one. I would wager all of these things activate the pleasure circuits in the brain "similar to drugs of abuse." Don't know why this is even surprising or even that interesting.

    Unfortunately there are not entire industries, vending machines or supermarket aisles dedicated to selling back rubs, hugs, kittens or winning bingo. :(

    So we should stop selling food?

    It would probably reduce obesity.

    Unintended consequences might be a kitten, however.

    Was this one of those MFP replacements for what they deem inappropriate words? I saw that yesterday and had some laughs searching for it in posts. Some of the situations it makes it worse than if the original word was left in.

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