The cravings for high-calorie foods can be traced back to the biological needs of our ancestors, which were crucial to maintaining body fat during scarcity. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and poor oral health are some medical problems associated with excessive added sugar consumption. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward, is released in response to sugar consumption.
On the other hand, heroin and cocaine generate a high feeling by stimulating the nervous system to release this neurotransmitter which alters the brain’s chemical structures, leading to withdrawal and addiction. Based on clinical experiments, sugar withdrawal has been reported to be similar to withdrawal from other drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. Natural opioids called endorphins are released in response to sugar and are responsible for euphoria and relief from pain experienced after physical exertion.
A recent analysis found that withdrawal from sugar might contribute to low mood, weariness, and drowsiness throughout the day. Some people experience physical and psychological side effects when drastically reducing sugar intake. Individuals may experience these symptoms in varying intensities, lasting a day to a few weeks. Symptoms may include extreme cravings, which lead to binge eating. Afterward, they may have feelings of guilt, depression, and anger. While eating, endorphins may improve mood, but these effects eventually wear off.
Depressed Mood
Consuming too much sugar leads to an unnatural level of particular neurotransmitters in the brain. The neurotransmitter dopamine belongs to the monoamine family and is secreted in the hypothalamus. It’s synthesized in tyrosine and used to relay signals between neurons in the brain and the rest of the body. This neurotransmitter is also named the “pleasure hormone” because it is associated with developing addictions.
On the other hand, a neurotransmitter known as serotonin controls one’s emotional state. Sugar increases the chemical serotonin levels, giving a momentary pleasant feeling and making the brain want sugar. In some people, a high-sugar diet might trigger the production of feel-good chemicals called endorphins in the brain’s reward center, the nucleus accumbens. The pituitary gland releases endorphins, which affect the body’s perceived euphoria, stress, and pain.
Due to the decline of neurotransmitters during sugar withdrawal, there is an increased risk of depression and other mental health problems. Depressive symptoms such as fatigue, lack of ambition, diminished sex desire, and inability to concentrate are some symptoms associated with serotonin and dopamine levels. Low levels of endorphins can cause drastic mood swings and impulsivity, disrupt the circadian rhythm, and exacerbate or trigger mental disorders such as psychosis.
