Science finally caught up with what I’ve suspected for years: sugar is definitely, conclusively addictive, and causes permanent brain changes.  It has the same negative effect on the brain as heroin or cocaine!

At the annual American College of Neuropsychopharmacology meeting in Scotsdale, Arizona this week, findings from a study conducted by head researcher Bart Hoebel, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Princeton, were presented. “Our findings with lab rats show that intermittent access to sugar can lead to changes in brain and behavior similar to those caused by drugs of abuse,” says Hoebel.  Sugar binges, (eating huge amounts of sugar when very hungry) specifically, can cause the brain to secrete high levels of dopamine (a “feel-good” brain chemical), causing dependency or severe symptoms of withdrawal if the sugar intake is changed.  Just like a drug or alcohol addiction.

Sugar bingeing can also act like a “gateway” drug, making the person highly susceptible to trying other dopamine-producing drugs of abuse, according to the research.

Take a look at a news report on MSN written by Amanda Gardener, a HealthDay reporter, and download “Does Sugar Have Addictive Properties,” the detailed press release in pdf form from ACNP, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.  This could be valuable reading for you.

We’ve all known empirically that sugar is addictive, those of us who have struggled with its siren call and were sure we’d gone through withdrawal without it.  Now we know conclusively that sugar bingeing changes our brain function in a highly negative way.  Therefore, be informed, warned and extremely careful with sugar.

Be assured, though, there are other non-addictive, non-brain damaging ways to lose weight, stay healthy and feel great.  Keep reading this column for lots of ideas.