Sugar addiction is a hidden epidemic affecting millions across North America and the globe, often more widespread than drug or alcohol addiction but far less recognized. In this episode, discover how sugar hijacks your brain’s reward system, why it’s so hard to quit, and how cravings are driven by both emotional and neurological factors. You’ll learn how to identify signs of sugar addiction in your own life, hear practical strategies to break free from its grip—so you can reclaim your health, energy, and peace of mind and hear inspiring stories from people who have broken free from this addiction.
The Sugar Addiction Cycle and How to Beat Your Addiction
PET brain scans provide a striking visual comparison of how sugar and cocaine affect the brain’s reward system. When individuals consume sugar, the same regions of the brain that are activated by drugs like cocaine—particularly those involved in pleasure and reward, such as the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex—light up with increased activity. These scans show that both sugar and cocaine trigger a surge of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
Over time, repeated exposure to sugar can lead to changes in the brain similar to those seen in drug addiction: the number of dopamine receptors decreases, making it harder to experience pleasure from everyday activities and driving a cycle of craving and overconsumption. In PET scan images, this is visible as a reduction in dopamine receptor availability in both sugar-addicted and cocaine-addicted brains, compared to healthy brains. This neurological overlap explains why sugar can be so habit-forming and why cravings for sugary foods can feel so powerful and difficult to control.
For more information, read “10 Signs of Sugar Addiction” on my BLOG.
HOW SWEET IT ISN’T: THE BITTER TRUTH ABOUT SUGAR’S NEGATIVE IMPACT ON HEALTH & HAPPINESS
How Sweet It Isn’t: The Bitter Truth About Sugar’s Negative Impact on Health & Happiness reveals the hidden dangers of sugar in our diets and its profound effects on physical and mental health. This eye-opening book explores the science behind sugar’s addictive properties, its role in chronic diseases, and the difference between healthy and unhealthy sugars. Packed with practical tips and empowering strategies, it’s your ultimate guide to breaking free from sugar’s grip and reclaiming your health and happiness.
Special Guest Story - Meet Shelley Goldbeck
In this episode, I share a story, written by my mother, Shelley Goldbeck, who is a fellow sugar addict in recovery. She shares how bad her addiction was, how it made her feel and what she did to release herself from the stranglehold of this addictive white substance we all know and love… sugar.
Shelley Goldbeck is a Thinker, Writer, Speaker who knows a little about many things: general specialist or a special generalist! She’s the founder of www.WholeRealFood.com, a site devoted to food education, one of her passions.
Shelley has a background in marketing, web site development and a history of common sense in business. She writes, publishes books, speaks on a variety of topics, writes and composes music and is an active member of the Cowboy Poetry community.
Shelley reads two books per week from a number of genres. Her interests include but are not limited to grandchildren, gardening, and golf; reading, writing and real estate; music and marketing; health issues, cooking and eating real food; politics and learning foreign languages.
Contact Shelley at www.ShelleyGoldbeck.com.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST
The Rockin’ Wellness Podcast is 100% listener supported. To show your support, you can choose to offer a one time or monthly donation.
Your support is great appreciated!
Please follow and share this podcast with anyone you feel would enjoy this podcast and leave a review on the platform you are listening on!