Dr. Chris Palmer

They are, unfortunately.

They are, unfortunately.

They are, unfortunately.

Right. So the rates of obesity and binge eating and addictive like eating are rising alongside the increasing dominance of ultra processed foods in the modern food environment. And there are several mechanisms as to how this works, some which act directly on the brain and some that indirectly act through hormonal signaling. So our body is very complicated and the brain is connected to the body.

Right. So the rates of obesity and binge eating and addictive like eating are rising alongside the increasing dominance of ultra processed foods in the modern food environment. And there are several mechanisms as to how this works, some which act directly on the brain and some that indirectly act through hormonal signaling. So our body is very complicated and the brain is connected to the body.

Right. So the rates of obesity and binge eating and addictive like eating are rising alongside the increasing dominance of ultra processed foods in the modern food environment. And there are several mechanisms as to how this works, some which act directly on the brain and some that indirectly act through hormonal signaling. So our body is very complicated and the brain is connected to the body.

And we used to learn in medical school that you have this blood brain barrier that you get across it. But that's not like the Berlin Wall. But in reality, it's it does leak. Right. And there are things that do cross.

And we used to learn in medical school that you have this blood brain barrier that you get across it. But that's not like the Berlin Wall. But in reality, it's it does leak. Right. And there are things that do cross.

And we used to learn in medical school that you have this blood brain barrier that you get across it. But that's not like the Berlin Wall. But in reality, it's it does leak. Right. And there are things that do cross.

Yeah, so ultra-processed food and sugar decrease our dopamine receptors and make us eat more compulsively. Much like addictive drugs, the highly processed foods, they trigger dopamine reward pathways and they invoke addictive-like behaviors, which have been well documented and include intense cravings, includes feelings of withdrawal when cutting down on ultra-processed food.

Yeah, so ultra-processed food and sugar decrease our dopamine receptors and make us eat more compulsively. Much like addictive drugs, the highly processed foods, they trigger dopamine reward pathways and they invoke addictive-like behaviors, which have been well documented and include intense cravings, includes feelings of withdrawal when cutting down on ultra-processed food.

Yeah, so ultra-processed food and sugar decrease our dopamine receptors and make us eat more compulsively. Much like addictive drugs, the highly processed foods, they trigger dopamine reward pathways and they invoke addictive-like behaviors, which have been well documented and include intense cravings, includes feelings of withdrawal when cutting down on ultra-processed food.

continuing to eat these things despite knowing the adverse consequences to it, and repeated attempts to try to quit. I'm describing addiction here, basically, and the consumption of larger quantities over time than intended.

continuing to eat these things despite knowing the adverse consequences to it, and repeated attempts to try to quit. I'm describing addiction here, basically, and the consumption of larger quantities over time than intended.

continuing to eat these things despite knowing the adverse consequences to it, and repeated attempts to try to quit. I'm describing addiction here, basically, and the consumption of larger quantities over time than intended.

Yeah, that's exactly right. So sugar is an addictive substance. It's not just something we say. It has a straightforward neurochemical basis in the brain, just like any other drug. And I think of sugar as a... It's a recreational food. It's not a food that's essential for survival. We make sugar through the process of gluconeogenesis, through other foods that we consume.

Yeah, that's exactly right. So sugar is an addictive substance. It's not just something we say. It has a straightforward neurochemical basis in the brain, just like any other drug. And I think of sugar as a... It's a recreational food. It's not a food that's essential for survival. We make sugar through the process of gluconeogenesis, through other foods that we consume.

Yeah, that's exactly right. So sugar is an addictive substance. It's not just something we say. It has a straightforward neurochemical basis in the brain, just like any other drug. And I think of sugar as a... It's a recreational food. It's not a food that's essential for survival. We make sugar through the process of gluconeogenesis, through other foods that we consume.

It's really about excess carbohydrates.

It's really about excess carbohydrates.