The core argument about sugar addiction is that sugar consumption leads to dopamine release, but it is debated as to whether it constitutes the same kind of dependency as drugs or alcohol due to lack of data. Additionally, while sugar has a greater impact on dopamine response than other foods, it has not been proven to hijack the reward center of the brain like drugs do.
In this podcast, Dr Carl Hart discusses his research on drugs, challenging the current societal beliefs around drug addiction and highlighting the role of co-occurring psychiatric disorders and socioeconomic factors. He advocates for the legalization of all drugs to allow responsible usage and access to controlled environments for those who need help.
A study on rodents shows that 96% of mice addicted to cocaine preferred sugar when given a choice, indicating the strong addictive power of sugar.
The idea that sugar is as addictive as cocaine has gained popularity in recent years, but experts say that it's a tough claim to prove. While both sugar and cocaine activate the same reward centers in the brain, many other factors, such as dosage and frequency, make direct comparisons between the two substances difficult.
A therapist specializing in addiction treatment believes that addiction often stems from trauma and the individual's attempt to soothe and hide it. The repetition compulsion, the tendency to return to situations or emotional states resembling the traumatic experience, is a valid concept in helping to understand and treat addiction.