Dopamine addiction is real.
We all crave. And at times, we question why it’s so hard to resist the urge to eat something sweet or salty, and we often give in as well. Why do we get intense cravings at a particular time every day, and we keep on following a pattern of eating junk? Why does our brain start craving in the middle of work? And why can’t we stop ourselves from finishing the whole packet of chips or a chocolate bar?
Let’s understand the science behind craving and how we get addicted to Dopamine.
Craving:
Craving is the body’s way of seeking comfort. It is associated more with an emotional level than a physical one. Our brains scream to eat something sweet or salty or a comfort food in these situations.
1) Physical and emotional discomfort: We crave when we are hungry, thirsty, tired after intense exercise or after a long and busy day at work and while dealing with emotional stress (anger, nervousness, confusion, boredom, etc). Sleep deprivation can also increase craving.
2) Sickness/fever: In sickness, our immune system needs a boost of calories to get better soon, which leads to increased craving for sugar and carbs, to increase blood glucose quickly and provide a temporary surge. Sickness is a stressful situation where the body is out of its comfort zone, which can increase cravings.
3) Menstruation/Menopause: Cravings are primarily driven by hormonal imbalance, and it’s common for women to experience increased craving a week before periods and/or in the bleeding phase, and for women experiencing menopause.
Sweet/salty indulgence = release of Dopamine, a happy hormone:
Food high in salt and sugar releases the hormone dopamine, a happy hormone associated with pleasure, resulting in a boost that improves mood. It’s like a quick fix, and it’s probably the core reason why our body craves salty/sweet food whenever we’re out of our comfort zone.
However, it’s worth remembering that dopamine release gives temporary pleasure. It does not help resolve the problem that initially puts our body out of its comfort zone. It just provides pleasure. The real issue begins when we keep on seeking temporary boosts frequently, as in no time, our way to seek comfort can turn into dopamine addiction.
Dopamine addiction is high.
A study was conducted on mice to understand what dopamine addiction does to the brain. In a 2016 study, mice were given levers that they could press anytime they wanted. Pressing the button (lever) activates a special optical sensor that controls specific neurons in the brain, thereby activating the dopamine neuron. So, naturally, mice were becoming happy after pressing levers due to dopamine release. And they were so delighted that they kept pushing the button all the time. So much so that they forgot to eat and drink, which was essential for their survival. Dopamine obsession had made them forget their basic needs. Source : ScienceNordic
Adding to this, a new study reveals that our brain not only predicts reward but also its timing. The ventral tegmental area (VTA), the brain’s reward centre, which produces Dopamine, knows precisely when the reward is due and releases the feel-good neurotransmitter and hormone accordingly. If you have a habit of eating salty/sweet food at a particular time (e.g., after meals, with meals, first thing coming home, or late at night), you’ll know how your brain reminds you to eat at that time, and you start craving. Source : ScienceDaily
In a nutshell, all animals, including humans, really like Dopamine and eating sweet/salty food in an easy way to get a boost. However, it’s worth remembering that salty/sweet food can indeed satisfy our cravings and provide comfort, but it’s a short-term fix, as Dopamine doesn’t help resolve the problem. The bigger issue can begin if we continue this pattern.
The good part is that one can also increase Dopamine by exercising, meditating, following a passion like dancing, singing, or painting, by sleeping well, by practising gratitude, and by helping others. Worth trying.
Thank you.
Preeti Shah
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach