The fact that some of these drugs can cause addiction raises the logical possibility that some foods might also cause addcition. Neural systems that evolved to motivate and reinforce foraging and food intake also underlie drug-seeking and self-administration. This may translate to some human conditions as suggested by the literature on eating disorders and obesity. The evidence supports the hypothesis that under certain circumstances rats can become sugar dependent. Neural adaptations include changes in dopamine and opioid receptor binding, enkephalin mRNA expression and dopamine and acetylcholine release in the nucleus accumbens. These behaviors are then related to neurochemical changes in the brain that also occur with addictive drugs. “Bingeing”, “withdrawal”, “craving” and cross-sensitization are each given operational definitions and demonstrated behaviorally with sugar bingeing as the reinforcer. Four components of addiction are analyzed. This review summarizes evidence of sugar dependence in an animal model. Sugar is noteworthy as a substance that releases opioids and dopamine and thus might be expected to have addictive potential. “Food addiction” seems plausible because brain pathways that evolved to respond to natural rewards are also activated by addictive drugs. The experimental question is whether or not sugar can be a substance of abuse and lead to a natural form of addiction.
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