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Food Addiction Research Paper

1646 Words7 Pages

The existence of food addiction has been debated for years in both popular media and in scientific literature. On one hand, a significant body of research indicates that brain areas, neurochemicals and behavior implicated in drug addiction are also associated with the consumption of some foods. However, various studies looking at behavior have shown contradicting results. The following paper will provide an overview of current scientific literature regarding food addiction, taking into account studies involving neuroimaging, behavioral analysis, and neurochemical signs of addiction. First of all, some background information is required to understand the content of this paper. According to the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual Volume V, addiction …show more content…

First of all, studies have shown that some foods can lead to behavioral effects linked to addiction. Colantaoni et al. (2002) demonstrate that when mice were fed excessive amounts of sugar repeatedly, they would show withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms were precipitated by depriving food and administration of Naloxone. Withdrawal symptoms were examined by observing the mice’s paw tremor, head shakes, teeth chattering, and performance on an elevated plus maze test. Furthermore, when the mice’s acetylcholine levels increased and extracellular dopamine levels decreased. Because these behavioral effects and neurochemical imbalances are similar to those of a state of opioid withdrawal, the researchers concluded that the rats could develop a dependence on …show more content…

As previously mentioned, several studies (Colantauni, 2002; Tomasi, 2013; Gearhardt 2011) all demonstrate that similar areas of the brain are activated with food addiction and in substance abuse. These brain areas include the anterior cingulate cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex, and amygdala. Colantauni et al. (2012) also find similar neurochemical activity in intermittent consumption of sugar and drug addiction. All of this is compelling evidence because it indicates that food addiction may have the same mechanisms as other substance addictions. Burrows et al. (2017) found a correlation between binge eating disorder and food addiction; because binge eating disorder is considered a legitimate disorder in the DSM V, the correlation between the two may lend validity to the idea that food addiction is

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