Food addiction has become a popular term, that some feel is thrown around carelessly. According to the manual used to diagnose mental disorders, DSM-5, addiction is “compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences, characterized by an inability to stop, failure to meet obligations, tolerance, and withdrawal.” Considering this definition, is food addiction the same as drug or gambling addiction? It is known that excessive food intake over time can lead to adverse health outcomes, but it is not known if food is addictive in the same way as a drug. A seminar given by Foods and Nutrition PhD student Carolina Cawthon provided some interesting research that attempts to shed light on this concept.
First, it should be noted that our body has several mechanisms to regulate food intake. Short-term regulation in the gastrointestinal tract sends signals to the brain that you are full. Long-term hormonal regulation responds to how many calories you have consumed. Both of these pathways together help you to maintain a relatively balanced food intake. However, eating for pleasure (reward) can override this balance and make you reach for that second serving or dessert even when your body is saying you are full. Triggering the reward pathway stimulates dopamine release, which makes you feel good. Over time sensitivity to dopamine declines, so the levels drop. A dopamine release is needed to reach baseline level and improve mood, so an individual wants to be exposed to the substance again and again to feel normal. This mechanism is how addiction occurs.
One reason food addiction has not been established is that it is difficult to conduct this research. One way is to monitor brain activity to see what areas of the brain are being stimulated as a result of the substance. For example, a study found that individuals who scored higher on a food addiction scale had brain activity similar to someone with dependence. It indicated that they were more motivated by reward and had less control to stop the behavior. Another study found that subjects who were obese had fewer dopamine receptors. Fewer receptors results in a lower dopamine response like what is experienced with addiction, suggesting that a similar mechanism may be present. It appears that food addiction and drug addiction are alike in some ways, but for now it cannot be determined if someone can become addicted to food.
Classifying food as an addictive substance could have important implications. First, it could emphasize therapy as a treatment for obese individuals to promote behavior change and weight loss. Raising awareness could also promote obesity prevention by demonstrating the consequences of continually overriding hunger cues. Finally, recognizing snack foods and sugar-sweetened beverages as addicting could provide more evidence for a tax on them to discourage consumption. For now, it is important to recognize that food addiction is distinct from substance addiction. However, it is always a good idea to practice mindful eating – following hunger and satiety cues – and not continuing to eat once you are full.