Listen to episode 26:
Is sugar addictive?

July 11, 2021

In this solo episode, I talk about different points of view on whether sugar is an addictive substance. I have my opinion, but what do other sources say about the addictive nature of sugar?

In my opinion, it's not the plant itself that's the problem. It's what's been done to it: the refining and processing and concentrating of the original plant to make its essence into a potent powder, sugar and flour alike.

Scientific studies have shown that rats and mice choose sugar over cocaine. Do we humans really behave the same as lab rats?

And what about people who have an "addictive personality"? Is that really a thing?

It's no secret that all those hyper-palatable processed foods make us want more and more - they affect our taste and our brain so fast that they can literally hook us. How? Listen to the episode!

I also talk about cravings, leptin resistance, and how sugar and flour affect the dopamine receptors in the brain and hijack impulse control.

So why isn't sugar recognized yet by the DSM-5 as an addictive substance, whereas caffeine is?

And what happens when you don't eat sugar and flour? How does our behaviour and our relationship with our food and with ourselves change? I've lived it for the last 6 years: it's a wonderful sense of peace and freedom.