What is the addictive chemical found in cheese?

January 14, 2026 •

3 min read

In 2015, a University of Michigan study suggested that certain foods could trigger addictive-like eating behaviors, with pizza topping the list. While not a true addiction, the craveable nature of cheese can be attributed to the chemical called casein, a protein found in all dairy products.

Quick Summary

The craveable quality of cheese comes from casein, a milk protein that breaks down into opioid-like compounds called casomorphins during digestion. These compounds interact with the brain's reward system, causing a release of dopamine and leading to feelings of pleasure.

Key Points

Casomorphins are the chemical culprit: The opioid-like compounds called casomorphins, which come from the milk protein casein, are what cause the mild, reward-driven cravings for cheese.
It's not a true addiction: The effect is significantly less potent than narcotics, and there are no documented cases of true dependency or withdrawal from cheese.
High concentration amplifies effects: Cheese is essentially concentrated casein, which means it contains a higher dose of casomorphins than liquid milk.
Dopamine fuels the craving cycle: Casomorphins trigger the release of dopamine in the brain, creating a pleasurable feeling that reinforces the desire to eat more.
Fat, salt, and processing play a role: The combination of high fat, salt, and processing in many cheese-laden foods intensifies their craveable nature, not just the casomorphins.
Evolutionary roots: The system evolved to bond infants to their mother's milk, but now influences our adult food preferences for high-reward foods.

Understanding Casein and Casomorphins

Casein is the primary protein found in milk and dairy products, including cheese. During cheese-making, the milk is curdled, and the casein becomes highly concentrated. This means that a small amount of cheese contains a much higher concentration of casein than a glass of milk. When we eat cheese, our digestive enzymes break down the casein into smaller protein fragments called casomorphins.

The Dopamine Connection

Casomorphins have an opioid-like effect because they can cross the blood-brain barrier and attach to dopamine receptors in the brain. This interaction triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. The resulting feeling of satisfaction and enjoyment is what drives the cravings for cheese. While the effect is mild compared to narcotics, this reward response can create a cycle of seeking out the pleasurable food.

The Evolutionary Purpose of Casomorphins

This chemical response is not an accident; it serves an important evolutionary purpose in mammals. In infants, the mild opioid effect of casomorphins from mother's milk helps create a strong bond between mother and baby and ensures the infant is motivated to keep nursing. This evolutionary mechanism is part of a healthy biological process designed to ensure survival during infancy. In adulthood, however, the same mechanism can lead to a preference for and craving of high-fat, high-reward foods like cheese.

Why Processed Foods Intensify Cravings

A 2015 study published in the journal PLOS One found that highly processed foods and those high in fat were more likely to be associated with addictive-like eating behaviors. Cheese is often a key ingredient in many highly processed, high-fat foods, such as pizza, cheeseburgers, and mac and cheese. The combination of concentrated casomorphins, high fat content, and added salt makes these foods extremely palatable and hard to resist. The study found that while cheese alone ranked 16th on the list of problematic foods, items like pizza (which contains cheese) topped the list.

Factors Influencing Cheese Cravings

Besides casomorphins, several other factors contribute to the craveable nature of cheese:

High Fat and Salt Content: The combination of fat and salt is a powerful driver of food cravings. Cheese is typically high in both, which triggers our reward centers.
Umami Flavor: During the ripening process, microorganisms break down proteins and fats in the cheese, creating a rich umami flavor that we find deeply satisfying.
Sensory Specific Satiety: This refers to the decrease in appetite for a food that has just been consumed, while the appetite for other foods remains high. A cheeseboard, for example, offers a variety of flavors and textures, encouraging continued eating.

Casomorphins vs. Opiates: A Comparison

While casomorphins have an opioid-like effect, they are vastly different from true addictive drugs like heroin or morphine.


Feature	Casomorphins	Addictive Opiates
Potency	Significantly less potent.	Highly potent with strong neurological effects.
Effect	Triggers a mild dopamine reward, resulting in cravings.	Causes intense euphoria and pain relief.
Withdrawal	No documented cases of true dependency or withdrawal symptoms.	Characterized by severe physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.
Health Impact	Not considered dangerous, and cheese offers nutritional benefits.	Poses serious health risks and can lead to dependency and overdose.
Source	Naturally occurring peptide from casein in milk.	Derived from poppy plants or synthetically produced.

Conclusion

In summary, the "addictive chemical" in cheese is a peptide known as casomorphin, derived from the milk protein casein. When digested, these compounds trigger a mild dopamine release in the brain's reward centers, contributing to the pleasure and cravings many people associate with cheese. However, it is crucial to understand that this is not a clinical addiction, but rather a mild reward response that, combined with the high fat and salt content of many cheese-containing foods, makes it particularly craveable. Enjoying cheese in moderation as part of a balanced diet is perfectly healthy.

Tips to Manage Strong Cravings

Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can sometimes help curb food cravings.
Focus on Whole Foods: Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and lean protein into your diet to feel fuller and reduce cravings for processed foods.
Find Healthy Substitutes: Nutritional yeast, with its cheesy, nutty flavor, is a popular alternative for adding a savory taste to dishes without dairy.
Practice Mindful Eating: Pay attention to when and why you are craving cheese. Are you bored, stressed, or truly hungry?
Explore Plant-Based Cheeses: Many high-quality vegan cheese options exist today, made from ingredients like nuts and coconuts, that can satisfy a craving without casein.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, this is a misinterpretation of scientific findings. While casomorphins do act on the same brain receptors as drugs, their effect is extremely mild and does not cause a true, clinical addiction with dependency or severe withdrawal.

The protein responsible is casein, which is the main protein found in milk and dairy products. During digestion, casein is broken down into smaller opioid-like peptides known as casomorphins.

Cheese-making concentrates the casein from milk. It takes a large amount of milk to produce a small amount of cheese, resulting in a much higher concentration of casein and subsequently more casomorphins.

Yes, casomorphins are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to interact with opioid and dopamine receptors in the brain, leading to a mild reward response.

The concentration of casein can vary between different types of milk (e.g., cow's vs. sheep's). However, no definitive research shows that certain types of cheese are significantly more addictive than others.

To manage cravings, you can try incorporating healthier fats and savory flavors into your diet. Using nutritional yeast for a cheesy taste, exploring plant-based cheese alternatives, or simply practicing mindful eating can help.

It is not unhealthy to have cravings for cheese, as long as it is consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Cheese contains beneficial nutrients, but also high fat and salt, so a balanced approach is key.