ADDICTION

Studio Shodwe
ADDICTION IS A CHRONIC (LIFELONG) CONDITION
THAT INVOLVES COMPULSIVE SEEKING AND
TAKING OF A SUBSTANCE OR PERFORMING OF AN
ACTIVITY DESPITE NEGATIVE OR HARMFUL
CONSEQUENCES. ADDICTION CAN SIGNIFICANTLY
IMPACT YOUR HEALTH, RELATIONSHIPS AND
OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
SUGAR AND DRUG
ADDICTION
 POINTS TO PONDER

Genetic
Adolescent Predisposition
Dopamine Exposure to and Sugar
Response Sugar Exposure

2 4 6

1 3 5

Satiety Drug vs. Food Changes in

Mechanisms Addiction Motivational
Aspects
HOW CAN SUGAR BE
ADDICTIVE ?
 IMPAIRED CONTROL:

• Use Larger Amounts Than Intended: Rats show an escalation in sugar

intake, reaching higher amounts than initially consumed. This pattern
resembles a binge and mimics behaviors seen in drug self-
administration.
• Craving: Rats trained to consume sugar exhibit behaviors resembling
craving seen in drug addiction, including resistance to extinction,
incubation, and an increase in consumption following deprivation
periods.
SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT:
Unable to assess using animal models.
 PHARMACOLOGICAL
CRITERIA:
• Tolerance: Rats progressively escalate their sugar intake, indicating a
possible tolerance effect.
• Withdrawal: Signs of withdrawal have been observed in sugar-
dependent rats, including anxiety-like behaviors and symptoms
comparable to opiate withdrawal. Injection of naloxone in sugar-
dependent rats produces withdrawal-like symptoms, indicating
involvement of the endogenous opioid system in sugar dependency.
 CONTINUED USE
DESPITE RISK

Hazardous Use: Some studies suggest that rats trained for sugar
consumption show resistance to an aversive conditioned stimulus,
indicating a potential willingness to seek sugar despite risks. However, this
area remains controversial and requires further investigation.
ADDITIONAL ASPECTS OF
SUGAR ADDICTION ARE
COMPARABLE TO DRUG
ADDICTION
IN SUMMARY, THE STUDY INVESTIGATES SUGAR ADDICTION IN ANIMAL
MODELS BY COMPARING BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH SUGAR
CONSUMPTION TO CRITERIA OUTLINED IN THE DSM-5 FOR SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDERS. IT FINDS THAT RATS EXPOSED TO INTERMITTENT
SUGAR INTAKE FULFILL FIVE OUT OF ELEVEN DSM-5 CRITERIA,
SUGGESTING ADDICTIVE-LIKE BEHAVIORS AKIN TO DRUG DEPENDENCE.
The research showcases that animals dependent on sugar exhibit behaviors similar to
drug addiction, such as behavioral sensitization (heightened response to sugar and
drugs of abuse) and a potential "gateway" effect from sugar to alcohol use. Moreover,
neurochemical changes observed in sugar-dependent rats mirror alterations seen in
drug abuse models, indicating similarities in brain responses.
WHILE THESE FINDINGS IMPLY THAT SUGAR MIGHT HAVE ADDICTIVE
PROPERTIES AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONCEPT OF "FOOD
ADDICTION," THE TRANSLATION OF ANIMAL BEHAVIORS TO HUMAN
ADDICTION REMAINS A SUBJECT REQUIRING FURTHER
INVESTIGATION. THE STUDY SETS THE STAGE FOR UNDERSTANDING
POTENTIAL ADDICTIVE TENDENCIES RELATED TO SUGAR BUT
ACKNOWLEDGES THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL RESEARCH, ESPECIALLY
CONCERNING HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND ADDICTION.
 CONCLUSION
Sugar addiction is a debated area that shares similarities with substance use
disorders. While it parallels addictive behaviors seen with drugs, it's a
complex concept. Understanding it involves linking food science to
neuroscience and recognizing how processed foods affect decision-making
similarly to addictive substances.
Tools like the Yale Food Addiction Scale assess addictive-like eating
behaviors, but limitations persist in fully linking psychology and brain
circuitry while considering social factors influencing food consumption.
Despite meeting criteria akin to Substance Use Disorder, societal
perceptions limit comprehensive research. More exploration is needed to
understand sugar addiction's nuances and potential therapeutic
interventions.
 SUGAR ADDICTION: FROM EVOLUTION TO
REVOLUTION
DAVID
A. WISS 1 , NICOLE AVENA2 AND PEDRO RADA3 *
THANK YOU