A study done by several students
and faculty at Connecticut College showed that Oreos are just as addictive as
cocaine! The idea came from a student by the name of Jamie Honohan, who wanted
to study human behavior and motivation as it relates to food. They hypothesized
that high-fat/high-sugar foods caused addictive behavior similar to that of a
drug. Cocaine produces an almost instantaneous euphoric effect when administered, but could Oreos produce a similar effect? To test this hypothesis, rats were placed in a maze and given a choice of
a rice cake (at one end) or an Oreo (at the other end). The same experimental
design was used again with the drug, on one end of the maze the rat would be
injected with saline and on the opposite end with codeine or morphine. The
results revealed that the rats spent as much time with the Oreo as they did
with the cocaine/morphine. The researchers explained they “also found that
eating cookies activated more neurons in the brain’s ‘pleasure center’ than
exposure to drugs of abuse.” Another interesting fact is that the rats didn’t
just eat the Oreo; they opened the cookie and went for the filling first. I
have to applaud these rats for knowing how to properly eat an Oreo, I mean is
there any other way?? On a serious note,
I’m not all that surprised by the rats’ response to the Oreos. I think that we
all have that one comfort food that we can’t give up because we’ve made an
association with the food and feeling good. What is your food drug?
This totally explains why every time I buy Oreos they're all gone before I can have one! This article is pretty cool and yet kind of scary. Reflecting back on the obesity rate in the US this don't surprise me, but it is concerning. My food drug is definitely Coke (soda, lol). It's all about the first drink, it gets me every time.
ReplyDeletePretty neat. The study gives credence to the idea that food is physiologically addictive and willpower alone may not be enough to fight the addiction.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly!!
DeleteI think it's awesome you wrote about this. I just finished writing my research paper on methamphetamine use and its relationship with psychosis. When learning about the nervous system and the dopaminergic pathways, it was here that they discussed the reward or pleasure center you discussed. Usually, when we enjoy our favorite meal or participate in risque activities, dopamine is sent from nerve cell to nerve cell until it reaches the nucleus accumbens (pleasure center) to reward us with the feeling of euphoria. The same thing happens when a psychostimulant such as cocaine or methamphetamine is introduced. So it makes sense to me that oreos would have the same affect as cocaine, plus and minus some key points.
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic!
Yeah, I actually just learned all about Cocaine in my Forensic Toxicology class, so I found it to be really interesting! It got me thinking about treatment for drug addictions compared to 'food addictions' and why more isn't being done to treat those that suffer with obesity.
DeleteI heard about these, but yet I have not stopped eating oreos. This makes sense we all have that food that we are addicted to that makes us have that pleasure center to be triggered. Is this the same reaction that we have when we eat chocolate?
ReplyDeleteYes, well for some. If your crazy and don't like chocolate it will obviously not produce the 'feel good' effects. So, moral of the story, eat chocolate and Oreos haha
DeleteSo this article kind of makes me rethink my definition of addiction. Usually when I here about an addiction, I think about an uncontrollable need for something, but I just don't see Oreos flying off the shelves. I myself have never been one who enjoyed oreos (yes I know I am weird), so maybe that is why I am skeptical about this.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that people can become addicted to dairy products. The casein in dairy is metabolized in the body producing a compound called casomorphin, which is structurally similar to morphine. It's no wonder people are always dipping their oreos in milk!
ReplyDelete