Humans are indeed compelled to eat food. Strongly compelled in fact. The lack of anorexigenic (peptides nervous signals that stops the behavior of eating AKA satiety) primarily drives the sensation of hunger just as increased blood osmolarity increases the sensation of thirst as well as increasing the release of ADH (vasopressin) while decreasing aldosterone. The compulsion to eat (hunger) is a behavioral component that is an outcome of physiological and not behavioral need.
Clearly carbohydrates are not drugs in the same way that heroin is. They are indeed nutrients. Yet they activate the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway (so called rewards or saliency pathway depending upon the neurobiologist you happen to be talking to…), in the same way heroin, nicotine, and alcohol do. To that end that, it has drug-like capacity. The neurobiologist perspective to addiction is that down-regulation of receptors MUST occur and that withdrawal syndromes occur. Heroin and opiates are addictive under that qualification as the opiate receptors downregulate via intracellular Ca++/phosphorylation events, decreased receptor expression and receptor withdrawal mechanisms. In a sense alcohol can also be considered addictive, but not because of brain chemistry, but rather because the liver gets better at processing the alcohol. So by this definition, carbohydrates may indeed be considered addictive because of the insulin receptor down regulation (AKA insulin resistance) that occurs with chronic hyperinsulinemia. Since insulin is considered an anorexogenic peptide, then you would need progressively more carbohydrate to induce satiety as more and more insulin is needed to bind to insulin receptors to achieve the same results. This particular description might well merit the term addiction in the down-regulation sense.
Addiction by a behavioral definition is different. It suggests that anything (drugs (carbs, alcohol, sex, gambling, food) that is patently ‘bad-in-excess” or to the point that it affects health or work or relationships and is difficult to stop would be an addiction by psychologists. In these cases there is neuronal reinforcement of the behavior by the compulsion. This neural plasticity is accompanied by specific changes in neurotransmitter release and receptor organization across the synapse. Indeed, increased numbers of synapses occur with such compulsions. Again this is a function of the behavior causing neuronal rewiring in the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway that supports the compulsion. In this manner and definition, carbohydrates by a psychological definition would also be considered addictive.
Addiction is a funny thing biologically and a not so funny thing in human life.
What this means to you is that there are two potential stories regarding carbohydrate so-called addiction. The act of the reward of eating sweet carbohydrates is a behavioral addiction. Once you get into this type of behavioral addiction, you’ll need to generate ways to change your environment around you: Support groups, removing grains and sugars from the pantry. Limiting intake but not necessarily removing all sugars. The main problem for you is that you really WANT to eat those sugars. The further in time you are from eating them, the easier it is for you to control.
You must develop a mind set that makes eating a conscious decision. Make the habit to think consciously about your food intake. Know that when you eat sweet, your brain WANTS to eat more of it. This is indeed the basis for the so-called yo-yo phenomenon.
Then there’s the insulin receptor resistance model of addiction In this case, your body thinks you HAVE to eat them to feel satiated. This is likely happening if you’ve become obese or morbidly obese. Not only do you WANT to eat carbohydrates, you literally have to eat more for the receptors to function normally. You HAVE to have them.
How do you stop this? You have to eat. Right?
It turns out the proteins and fats are much better are making you feel satiated. So especially if you’re obese, then this can be a lifesaver from overeating. Indeed, I suggest that you do in fact eat! You can eat green vegetables (which doesn’t include corn nor green beans, btw) almost in unlimited quantity. They won’t take care of those pesky carbohydrate cravings, but you’ll feel full soon enough. If you can just get to that, it’s far less likely that you’ll turn to the carbs and sugar. In fact, if you can just let 10 minutes go by, according to the models for cigarette cessation, the cravings will reduce dramatically. Eating some eggs, meat or vegetables will help you get control.
I know it’s a rough 10 minutes. Sometimes we all fail at this. I certainly do myself. So call a friend during that time. Tell them you’re reaching for a cookie! Just that act will help as well. This is why support groups can help some people with their addictions.
Its an ongoing struggle with eating! You can do this.
Dr D
appetiteregulation 