Buzz
With the exception of cannabis, we are frequently cautioned against the use of drugs due to their harmful effects. It’s a well-known saying that once you begin, stopping becomes a monumental challenge. However, what often goes unnoticed is that substances aren’t the sole culprits when it comes to addiction.
Some foods can be just as addictive, triggering similar chemical responses in our bodies as drugs do. This leads to a physical or psychological reliance, driving us to consume these foods repeatedly to satisfy our cravings.
10. Cookies
Eating a lot of cookies might appear to be a simple habit, but it could actually stem from an addiction. In a study conducted by Jamie Honohan of Connecticut College, rats were injected with either a saline solution, cocaine, or morphine. The rats were then placed in a maze with rice cakes and Oreos, allowing them to roam freely and make their own choices.
He observed that the animals gravitated toward the Oreos, showing a clear preference over the rice cakes. After consuming the creamy center of the Oreos, they exhibited heightened excitement, similar to their reactions when injected with drugs.
Honohan later analyzed proteins from the rats and found that their accumbens—often referred to as the brain’s “pleasure center”—was more stimulated by eating Oreos than by receiving cocaine injections.
9. Wheat
Wheat is an often-overlooked addictive food. One of its key characteristics is its high gluten content, which has popularized the term “gluten-free” as a marker for healthier wheat options. However, excessive wheat consumption is detrimental to health, regardless of its gluten content.
Modern wheat differs significantly from its historical counterpart. Over the past 50 years, genetic engineering has transformed it into what is now dubbed “FrankenWheat.” Packed with starch, gluten, and addictive proteins, it keeps consumers craving more.
When ingested, these addictive proteins break down into polypeptides, which bind to brain receptors, inducing a high and fostering addiction. These polypeptides also enter the bloodstream, where they are referred to as gluteomorphins—a term combining “gluten” and “morphine.”
Those addicted to wheat often crave sugary wheat-based treats like cookies and cakes. Surprisingly, wheat addiction can be treated with medications such as naloxone, commonly used to counteract heroin or morphine overdoses. Beyond addiction, wheat has been associated with cancer, obesity, heart disease, and various other health issues.
8. Meat
Meat is a natural and excellent source of animal protein, making it challenging to differentiate between someone addicted to meat and someone simply seeking its protein benefits.
Meat contains hypoxanthine, a stimulant similar to caffeine that creates a sense of satisfaction. Hypoxanthine shares many properties with caffeine, and aged meat contains higher levels of it. This explains why some individuals experience withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings for meat after abstaining from it for a period.
Meat also includes other addictive compounds such as guanylic and inosinic acids, which produce effects similar to hypoxanthine. Unfortunately, once addicted to hypoxanthine, individuals require increasing amounts of meat to achieve the same level of satisfaction.
7. Ice Cream
Ice cream stimulates the same brain regions as drugs do. Over time, individuals need to consume larger quantities to maintain the same level of stimulation. Without it, they may experience depression, akin to the withdrawal symptoms faced by drug addicts.
Kyle S. Burger and Eric Stice from the Oregon Research Institute investigated the impact of ice cream addiction on the brain. They monitored the brain activity of 151 teenagers, first showing them an image of a milkshake to gauge their cravings, then providing actual milkshakes during the brain scans.
The study revealed that teens who had consumed significant amounts of ice cream in the weeks prior were less excited by the milkshakes compared to those who had eaten little to no ice cream. This was determined by observing activity in the brain’s pleasure center during consumption.
Similar to the effects of hard drugs, the teenagers who consumed ice cream before the study required more milkshakes to achieve the same level of satisfaction as those who hadn’t eaten ice cream beforehand.
6. Cheese
Cheese is another highly addictive food that we often indulge in. It’s a key ingredient in many junk foods, including pizza, and may even explain why some people are so drawn to it. This is due to the presence of opiate-like molecules in cheese, such as casein and casomorphins.
Casomorphins, which are derived from casein, mimic the effects of morphine in the body. They bind to the same brain receptors as drugs like morphine and heroin, triggering the release of dopamine in a manner similar to drug use.
Cheese producers are well aware of these effects and use them to boost sales. While cheese won’t lead to severe addiction like hard drugs, it can still create a mild high and dependency, albeit to a lesser degree.
5. Sugar
Sugar, like many foods, can be beneficial or harmful depending on its consumption. However, unlike most foods, it has the potential to become addictive. Research from Queensland University of Technology revealed that sugar impacts the body similarly to cocaine, as both substances trigger dopamine release.
Over time, the amount of dopamine released decreases relative to the quantity of sugar or cocaine consumed, driving addicts to seek more. Without sufficient sugar to stimulate dopamine production, sugar addicts may experience depression, akin to the withdrawal symptoms faced by cocaine users. Stopping sugar intake can also lead to withdrawal symptoms similar to those seen in drug addiction.
A study by Dr. James DiNicolantonio found that sugar can be even more addictive than cocaine. Rats addicted to cocaine switched to sugar after their first taste. The connection between sugar and drugs is further highlighted by the FDA’s approval of varenicline, a drug used to treat nicotine withdrawal, for addressing sugar withdrawal.
However, an earlier study by Edinburgh University researchers argued that sugar addiction is more of a behavioral issue than a true addiction. They suggested that people consume sugar out of preference rather than dependency, asserting that it’s impossible to become genuinely addicted to sugar.
4. Coffee
The United States leads the world in caffeine consumption. On average, Americans drink three cups of coffee daily, not including caffeine from other sources like energy drinks and sodas. Why such high consumption? It may stem from addiction.
Coffee contains caffeine, often dubbed the 'world’s most popular and addictive drug.' It stimulates dopamine release, creating a pleasurable sensation similar to the effects of drugs. This leads to a dependency that can only be satisfied by consuming more coffee.
3. Chocolate
Chocolate, seemingly harmless, is another food as addictive as drugs. It contains sugar, fats, theobromine, and enkephalin—stimulants akin to caffeine in the cacao world. Theobromine, in particular, dilates blood vessels and lowers heart rate and blood pressure, inducing a relaxed state similar to the effects of certain drugs.
The impact of enkephalin requires further research, as most studies have been conducted on rats. Unlike rats, humans are less susceptible to its effects. Researchers found that rats consuming M&M’S experienced increased enkephalin secretion, activating brain opioid receptors similarly to heroin and morphine. This drove the rats to crave more chocolate to sustain the secretion.
2. Potato Chips
Ever wondered why it’s so difficult to stop eating potato chips? Studies suggest they are as addictive as hard drugs. Once you start eating them, it’s challenging to stop.
Similar to cheese, potato chips stimulate dopamine release, affecting the body in ways comparable to drugs. Research by Dr. Tony Goldstone of Imperial College London showed that images of potato chips and junk foods activate the same brain regions as pictures of alcohol do for drinkers or drugs for users.
1. Soda
Popular sodas like Pepsi and Coca-Cola are hard to resist due to their caffeine content, a highly addictive substance. Even if you avoid coffee, cola provides a caffeine fix. Studies show that 80% of Americans consume caffeine daily in some form.
The caffeine in cola travels to the bloodstream and brain, interfering with adenosine receptors that regulate nerve cell activity. This triggers a state of alertness and adrenaline release, typically associated with danger.
Once the body detects no real threat, it produces additional adenosine receptors to counteract the cola’s effects. By this point, the drinker is already addicted and must consume more soda to achieve the same level of satisfaction. Beyond caffeine, soda is criticized for ingredients like caramel coloring, phosphoric acid, and excessive sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.
A single can of Coca-Cola contains 10 teaspoons of sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, contributing to diabetes over time. Caramel coloring has been associated with cancer, and phosphoric acid, with a pH of 2.5, is highly acidic—closer to car battery acid (pH 1) than water (pH 7).
While phosphoric acid in soda doesn’t harm the stomach directly, the body neutralizes it using calcium phosphate from bones. Over time, this can lead to bone-related issues such as fractures and osteoporosis.
