Tag: Behavioral addiction

According to regulatory bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO), sugar is not officially classified as a drug but rather a food ingredient. The controversial question, "is sugar technically a drug?" sparks significant debate, drawing on neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and public health data to examine its physiological and behavioral effects.

According to a 2021 review of nearly 200,000 subjects, food addiction may affect up to 20% of the population, leading many to wonder, can food be physically addictive? The answer is complex, but mounting scientific evidence suggests that for some individuals, certain highly palatable foods can trigger neurological and behavioral changes akin to those seen in substance use disorders.

First popularized on TikTok, the term 'fridge cigarette' has become a cultural shorthand for the ritual of cracking open a cold Diet Coke as a brief, stress-relieving pause. This comparison highlights the powerful psychological and behavioral similarities between reaching for a soda and taking a traditional smoke break.

According to a 2023 study by the University of Michigan, 13% of adults aged 50–80 meet criteria for addiction to highly processed food. Understanding how junk food causes addiction is the first step toward breaking its powerful hold by rewiring the brain's reward system.

According to one survey, four out of five adults reported taking dietary supplements at least occasionally, with the industry booming on promises of improved health. This widespread use leads many to question: can you become reliant on vitamins? The answer involves understanding the difference between a psychological dependence on the *habit* of supplementing and the potential, albeit rare, physiological effects of chronic, high-dose intake.