Does Food Addiction Really Exist

 

The Science of Addictive Food

Video taken from the channel: CBC News: The National


 

What Is The Evidence That Food Addiction Exists?

Video taken from the channel: University of California Television (UCTV)


 

Junk Food May Be Addictive as Drugs

Video taken from the channel: ABC News


 

Does food addiction exist?

Video taken from the channel: School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition


 

Treating Food Addiction

Video taken from the channel: The Doctors


 

Food Addiction and Eating Issues

Video taken from the channel: AllCEUs Counseling Education


 

Food Addiction: Why We Can’t Stop Eating

Video taken from the channel: Physicians Committee


First, drugs and food make us feel good in the same ways – we tend to think about drug addiction first and then wonder how food addiction might be like it, but, really, drugs take over reward. One thing is for sure: if food addiction is real, it cannot be a blanket blame for obesity. As Gearhardt says, “Most people don’t become addicted to any addictive substance.

For example, only about. First, drugs and food make us feel good in the same ways – we tend to think about drug addiction first and then wonder how food addiction might be like it, but, really, drugs. Does food addiction really exist? What is to be addicted?

Addiction is defined as a treatable, chronic medical illness involving complex interactions among genetics, brain circuits, and the environment. People who suffer addiction might become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Although we’ve been studying food addiction for decades, many believe the science is still in its infancy. Much of the research is either inconclusive or limited, and while food is fundamental for survival, drugs and alcohol are not. Dr.

Pamela Peeke devoted an entire book, The Hunger Fix, to the concept of food addiction. According to Peeke, food addiction is very real and dopamine rushes in the body can work exactly the same way with food, as with drugs like cocaine. Worried you may be addicted to food? Dr. Peeke comes to the rescue with her 3 pillars to combat food addictio.

One thing is for sure: if food addiction is real, it cannot be a blanket blame for obesity. As Gearhardt says, “Most people don’t become addicted to. Does food addiction really exist? This question was a big subject of controversy at the 2013 conferences of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP).

Two Sides of the Same Coin. Totally agree that junk food and caffeine are addictive. Your tolerance goes up really quickly. If I eat a tiny bit of chocolate after being healthy, it tastes horribly sweet and sickly. If I carry.

Scientists believe that food addiction may play an important role in obesity. But normal-weight people may also struggle with food addiction. Their bodies may.

List of related literature:

There have been several clinical accounts in which people claim to be “addicted” to certain foods, and this addiction manifests as excessive overeating, a feeling of distress when palatable food is not available, and craving of certain foods (Ifland et al. 2009).

“Handbook of Behavior, Food and Nutrition” by Victor R. Preedy, Ronald Ross Watson, Colin R. Martin
from Handbook of Behavior, Food and Nutrition
by Victor R. Preedy, Ronald Ross Watson, Colin R. Martin
Springer New York, 2011

Increasingly, animal models for the neurochemistry of food addiction (especially involving sugar) are proving the existence of a craving–bingeing–withdrawal–craving cycle.

“Principles of Addiction: Comprehensive Addictive Behaviors and Disorders, Volume 1” by Peter M. Miller
from Principles of Addiction: Comprehensive Addictive Behaviors and Disorders, Volume 1
by Peter M. Miller
Elsevier Science, 2013

The jury is still out on the nature (and even existence) of food addictions, but good scientific evidence does suggest that some people can get hooked on certain kinds of food (namely refined sugars and complex carbohydrates), much like other people can get hooked on nicotine or alcohol.

“The Catholic Table: Finding Joy Where Food and Faith Meet” by Emily Stimpson Chapman
from The Catholic Table: Finding Joy Where Food and Faith Meet
by Emily Stimpson Chapman
Emmaus Road Publishing, 2016

As discussed in the preceding chapter, the food addiction hypothesis is a fairly new concept, and unlike with obesity and binge eating disorder, there are currently no good estimates of the prevalence of food addiction in the population.

“Behavioral Addictions: Criteria, Evidence, and Treatment” by Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, MD, Laura Curtiss Feder, PsyD
from Behavioral Addictions: Criteria, Evidence, and Treatment
by Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, MD, Laura Curtiss Feder, PsyD
Elsevier Science, 2014

For example, it may be possible that an individual can be addicted to food without experiencing periods of discrete binges (i.e., chronically snack in a manner that is similar to a chain smoker).

“Food and Addiction: A Comprehensive Handbook” by Kelly D. Brownell, Mark S. Gold
from Food and Addiction: A Comprehensive Handbook
by Kelly D. Brownell, Mark S. Gold
Oxford University Press, 2012

Food addiction in this instance refers to a chronically relapsing disorder that causes impulse cravings that lead to unhealthy, or non-nutritious, day-to-day food choices.

“Health Care Ethics and the Law” by Donna K. Hammaker, Thomas M. Knadig
from Health Care Ethics and the Law
by Donna K. Hammaker, Thomas M. Knadig
Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2016

Like any other addiction, overeating is also an addiction and treatment for this requires psychological approach.

“A Textbook of Foods, Nutrition & Dietetics” by Begum R M
from A Textbook of Foods, Nutrition & Dietetics
by Begum R M
Sterling Publishers Pvt Limited, 2008

It is possible, however, thatthe modern food environment of developed countries has created food addiction as another secondary phenomenonof age­ old reward andmotivation mechanisms inthe brain.

“The Omnivorous Mind: Our Evolving Relationship with Food” by John S. Allen
from The Omnivorous Mind: Our Evolving Relationship with Food
by John S. Allen
Harvard University Press, 2012

Food addiction is what we call a process addiction.

“RECOVERY 2.0” by Tommy Rosen
from RECOVERY 2.0
by Tommy Rosen
Hay House, 2014

Can overeating be controlled so it isn’t a life-long problem?The answer is yes.

“Calm Energy: How People Regulate Mood with Food and Exercise” by Robert E. Thayer
from Calm Energy: How People Regulate Mood with Food and Exercise
by Robert E. Thayer
Oxford University Press, 2003

NOAH BRYANT

Hardcore strength training is what I am about. I am a personal trainer, author, and contributor to lots of different lifting and fitness magazines.

I was a 2x NCAA champion in the shoutput at USC and I represented the USA at the 2007 World Championships as well as the 2011 PanAm Championships.

Contact me to find out more about my personalized online training and how I can help you reach your goals.

Education: Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Public Policy, Planning, And Development @ University of Southern California

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39 comments

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  • There was a lot of helpful information in this video. I definitely have been dealing with food addiction and many issues with food for many years. I used to weight 430lbs and have lost 100lbs so far but a lot of that weight loss has been a struggle and I was even brought to the hospital after passing out when i didn’t eat or drink anything for five days because I thought I needed to punish myself for not losing enough weight. I’m still dealing with it everyday, which is one reason I came across your video. It frustrates me when people in my own family don’t support me by saying food addiction isn’t real or that I should “just” stop eating so much junk. If they knew what it was like inside my mind for just one day I think they would see things differently.

  • Food addiction is the HARDEST addiction to overcome. I have literally overcome it several times, even spent years at normal weights, but it always comes back again because you can’t just quit food and every time you eat food addiction tempts you to overdo it.

  • The video is wonderful so I wish I did not spend so much time wishing I could reach into the screen and remove that eyesore of a cap from his head ��

  • My current addiction is plain soy milk with cocoa powder and a few dates. I don’t think I’ve ever not had an addiction of some kind, and I feel like at this point my addiction is so relatively healthy, if that gets taken away I’ve got nothing. But clearly that’s just the addiction talking. 😉

  • Cocoa powder in my smoothie from time to time satisfies my chocolate cravings. I actually use carob powder more often than not, so I don’t break out in acne.

  • My ex husband is a food addict and it’s led to obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes…and he is very moody if he can’t eat junk food. Eats bacon and sausage daily… and peanuts too. I am fit and vegan so i am completely disgusted by it. He even comes home every single day for lunch and goes directly to the refrigerator. Forgets to refill the dogs water bowl. Obsessed with food. Probably because his mother encouraged eating food all the time… lovingly making recipes for him. He lives alone and refrigerator and pantry is PACKED with food in BULK hoarded from Costco. It expires before he can eat it all sometimes. I don’t understand any of this. It’s too much!!

  • Focus on a healthy lifestyle and the weight-loss will take care of it’s self. Success requires the discovery of a motivational trigger that you can maintain. I have forced myself to carry a small card (credit card-size) that has two sides. One side lists poisons (dairy, meat, sugars, pop, oils) and the other side lists medicines (fruit, vegetables, beans, seeds). Before I decide to eat anything, I look at the card and remind myself of whether it is a poison or medicine. Who wants to eat poison? Conclusion: find your motivation and stick to it for life.

  • My fiance says Im addicted to caffeine because I drink coffee ASAP. I have allergies so it does make me feel better. No solid food addiction though..

  • As someone who is clean and addicted to food, cigarettes, and alcohol I get uncomfortable in my chair when ever someone says “oh don’t worry, your addiction will go away!” no. This is not how it works. Addictions do not go away. They are always there. You do not vanish your addiction, you only learn how to live with it. Just because I am clea, does not mean I am not an addict anymore or that my addiction does not exist anymore. I am just a clean addict and not an active addict. So please do not use the term “your addiction goes away” because it relly doesn’t. You can learn how to live with it, which is a differant story, but it never fully goes away. I go to AA (Alcoholic anonymos), and OA (Obese Anonymous). I have done the 12 steps programs and I have also been in rehab for a year. Please do not share misleading information about the disease of addiction without knowing the first thing about it. I usually adore your context and will remain a subscriber for life, but you do not need scientific evidence that sugar addiction is “a thing”. That is how addiction works. An addict could also be addicted to a chair and a table doesn’t matter what it is as long as it fulfills the hole in their hearts. If someone tells you they are addicted to sugar (which basically means that they do not control sugar but sugar controls them.) than the first thing you need to do as a friend IS BELUEVE THEM. Not run and seek for proof and evidence. I anyone has reached a low in life when they come to admit to be addicted to anything, they probably know what they are talking about. Sorry if I came off as mean, but as an addict I have to take a stand when I see videos that talk about addiction as if it is not a disease but rather a mood that swings away eventually.

  • A plant based diet, which is based off of fruits, veggies, nuts, legumes and grains, will drastically help with obesity. It also can drastically lower and even eliminate diseases such as diabetes and arthritis and many others. I just wish that people would drop their meat and dairy products so that they can better their overall health and wellness.

  • Junk food its very tempting but I’m trying to break this habit & stay healthy as possible. People say it can fight the infection/virus away… I hope can’t wait to get rid of this virus soon smh

  • So i can get addicted to food that doesn’t taste that good but releases dopamine in my brain? I always go to McD when i feel sad and i don’t even like the taste of a BigMac that much but i keep buying it. ��

  • Dr. Neal Barnard is so strait forward. I enjoy every time I hear him speak. Thank you for this wonderful interview. I thought the information on the sugar to babes was very interesting. I agree we need to stop feeding people bacon. Pigs are so very smart and wonderful animals. There is a video that shows pigs swimming and one that shows a pig rescuing a goat out of a muddy river. Ice cream is very addictive to some people the fat and sugar with the diary is a triple threat. Thank for this wonderful information.

  • I am not addicted to a certain food, but I am addicted to eating period. It does mot matter if it is carrots or cereal, I just want to eat:( even if I am already full

  • Interestingly, is example of narcan taking away the pleasure of sugar, I had the exact same thing with vaping nicotine vs. smoking. For some reason, vaping took away the pleasure of smoking, so I used it to my advantage. Before I smoked, I would vape. Eventually I quit smoking, and then I was able to gradually decrease the nicotine dosage lower & lower until I was able to quit vaping & nicotine entirely.

  • I keep trying to start a diet and each time I fail because I will have a cheeseburger or other high calorie meal. It’s a repeated cycle where I went from 123 pounds to 180 within a year. ��

  • Stay completely AWAY from processed sugar and white flour… If you have an addictive personality, don’t knock it till you have tried it for a month. Probably is, people often lie when they say they are adhering to advice…

  • Eeeeeeeek! Thankfully, I am only addicted to my daily bowl of steamed broccoli and steamed cauliflower! OK, OK….I admit it….sometimes TWO bowls of it!

  • This was released at the end of 2016 and I watched this in 2020, 20k views and 23 comments. I think YouTube algorithm should recommends this kind of video to people who are watching stuff like food tour, street foods, and something like all you can eat restaurant.

  • I honestly can’t stop eating junk food. Sometimes I will go to the gym and eat well for three or four days but before long I am back snacking and phoning takeaways and eating chocolate and loads of ice cream etc. And when I start eating junk food I eat about 3000 calories at a time. I don’t think I can stop and I’m worried how my health is going to be in the next five years. I am only 33 just now but I have noticed on the last two years it is taking its effects big time

  • I needed these videos.
    I’ve been getting sicker and sicker with a congenital duodenal malrotation, and that along with my food addiction is literally killing me slowly.
    I will not last if I can’t beat this thing but I’m not sure I can do it. But these vids are helping. Thank you.
    I thought alcoholism was a bitch to beat.
    ������

  • Dr Barnard is so right about addiction not being a moral failing. It’s just dopamine hijacking. I wish everyone would look at it this way.

  • I am not addicted to any of those things mentioned in the video. There is one food I could always go for. No American has ever heard of it, and probably has idea of its ingredients. I love charmura pachadi. It is everybody’s favorite go-to snack in India. It contains: puffed rice, cilantro, onion, lemon/lime juice or green pickled mangoes, salt, sambar powder, grated coconut, and coconut oil. I can eat that everyday for the rest of my life and be extremely happy.

  • Man I’m a fruit addict. I gotta admit. If there is one type of food I find myself craving the most, it’s fresh whole fruit in the morning. EVERY MORNING!

  • Ive gotten down to a healthy weight but I’m such a fucking food addict. I don’t know how to not hyper focus on being healthy and all that does is make me think about food. Its a vicious cycle. I’m not addicted to crappy food either. Its EVERYTHING. Doesn’t matter… i’m not blaming corporations for making me want to overeat… in my opinion thats just shifting the “blame”. Addiction is not a moral failing no but blaming the producer or advertiser id the food is just… i dunno. I can over eat literally anything, salad whatever. Nobodies trying to manipulate me to like salad. Its my damn responsibility

  • I wonder if there is a difference between addiction and habit? for example that cup of coffee, could it be a habit, or is it an addiction and how can one tell the difference? I know for myself, I indulge in foods that are bad for me when I am under stress. Good post, I leaned somethings I wasn’t aware of. One question that just breaks me to the core, why are factory farms still in existence? I know more people are going vegan, and that’s great, but why can’t more animals be saved?

  • Why do we have addictions? I figure addictions had an evolutionary advantage for humans survival because everyone can become addicted although possibly each of us has different areas of more of less vulnerability.

  • The whole “higher power” idea is nothing but the result of religious propaganda. Have confidence in yourself, not some ubiquitous sky daddy.

  • Really insightful points. So if one is going to eat unhealthy weight gaining foods would it be better to eat sweets that are mainly sugar with low fat content as opposed to high carbohydrate fatty foods? As the latter are better at hijacking our reward systems?

  • To the people talking about the Vegetarian/Vegan diet and saying it is the way to go I ask instead of posting comment like “A plant based diet, which is based off of fruits, veggies, nuts, legumes and grains, will drastically help with obesity. It also can drastically lower and even eliminate diseases such as diabetes and arthritis and many others. I just wish that people would drop their meat and dairy products so that they can better their overall health and wellness.” Please some evidence and sources and only then could I be convinced?

  • as far as I’m concerned all of this is public knowledge and has been known for a while. so what do we do about it? how do we stop the cycle of addiction?

  • a warning to parents who give their kids junk food and high sugar and fructose sodas, you might as well give your kids heroin or cocaine, the effects are the same they will be addicts.

  • I’m addicted to eating generally healthy foods and not stuffing my face like a glutton….oops..should I have kept that to myself?

  • Really interesting presentation and represents the kind of problems that I see in young people. We probably need to work towards environmental control of Junk Food like we have with cigarettes and alcohol, and take a stand against the food industry (which is robbing our young people of their lives and health).

  • Addiction doesn’t strike out of the blue.
    1. it can come after years of eating cr@p, and one deluding themselves what a healthy diet is.
    2. from endocrine dysregulation, most often fueled by many poor lifestyle choices, including the pursuit of money/status and bad relationships.
    Either way, it’s the outcome of rubbish values, which have escalated dramatically in Western civilization over the last 40 years.

  • I find this very interesting as some of the vegan doctors like Neal Barnard, Alan Goldhamer, and Michael Gregor have actually discussed the biological mechanisms (mainly dopamine, it seems) that underlie salt, sugar, fat, and dairy consumption. They make the observation that these same mechanisms operate in the same way that they do in illicit drug use, like cocaine.

  • I’m addicted to cookies! But I eat healthy ones. I just bake a whole batch with healthy ingredients and sweetened it with date and I eat 2-3 pieces every evening with plain black tea. It’s so delicious and it is better than to eat store bought cookie every day ��

  • I can live w/o. fast food. I find unsatiable. But I LOVE my own cooking. I love the whole eating experience from marketing, preparing and completeing a delicious home cooked meal.
    Its hard for me to lose weight because of that.

  • 4:00 that stuff is not food.

    Food is as it comes from nature, in its whole natural state.

    No one has ever been addicted to food. Only that crap that comes out of a lab.