Emotional Eating Like Drug Craving

I just read this and found it very interesting (try to get through the technical stuff and then it makes sense). Finally, obesity/compulsive overeating is being recognized as an addiction. I have believed this for a long time. And sadly, WLS doesn't rid us of this addiction. I think counseling is a must to work on the "fat head syndrome" - Karen --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Emotional Eating' Like Drug Craving Brain Study: Desire to Eat in Obese People Similar to Drug Craving in Addicts By Daniel DeNoon, WebMD Medical News, Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD on Monday, October 02, 2006 Oct. 2, 2006 -- Obese people's desire to eat triggers the same brain action as addicts' desire for drugs, say researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The finding is based on seven morbidly obese people treated for up to two years with a gastric stimulator. The implanted device makes the stomach expand by giving tiny electric jolts to the vagus nerve. This, say Gene-Jack Wang, MD, and colleagues, signals the brain to make a person feel less hungry. The seven study participants lost an average 11.6% of their original body weight. At the time of the study, six of the seven still weighed at least 5% less than they used to. When the device is turned on, Wang and colleagues now report, it stimulates a part of the brain linked to emotional eating -- that is, eating to soothe emotional distress. The participants reported less desire for emotional eating when the device was turned on. "The brain regions activated by gastric stimulation overlap with those reported during craving responses in addicted subjects, supporting the commonalities in the [brain circuits] that underlie compulsive food intake and compulsive drug intake," Wang and colleagues conclude. The findings appear in the Oct. 17 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. SOURCES: Wang, G.-J. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Oct. 17, 2006; early edition published online Oct. 2, 2006. News release, Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Hi Karen, Yes, that is interesting, but as yo said, nothing we didn't all already know from experience! I have found though, that since surgery, my lack of tolerance for certain foods along with my fear of dumping has greatly decreased that addictive componant that tortured me as a pre op. I have some cravings now, but they are minimal and short lasting. I think the fact that I avoid most carbs in my diet helps to reduce the carb cravings. Obesity certainly is a much more complicated syndrome than most people realize, isn't it? Thanks for sharing, Amy

Hi Amy, Yes, obesity and compulsive eating are very complex. Granted: not everyone here is a compulsive overeater...but for those of us who are...it's a true addicition. I know for myself, I was totally out of control. And, when I did successfully lose weight, as soon as I took that one bite of a trigger food, I was off to the races. I agree with you 100% about carbs being a trigger for cravings. So are the sugary foods. I have to say: I am terrified of knowing whether or not sugar causes dumping, because if it doesn't...and I eat it, I am convinced I'll be a WLS failure. Why? because sugar is my drug, and I'm a sugar addict. Too much carbs has the same effect. In my adult years, I lost 100 pounds *3* times, only to gain it all back and more. But, when I was losing the weight, I totally avoided carbs and sugar. The diets were extreme: prtotein, veggies, some fruits...but nothing else. Yet, as soon as I tempted fate with that one bite of sugary/carby (not a word, but hey, it fits) foods...I was off - I lost control and gained the weight back. Anyway...I do believe much of the struggles post WLS are in our fat heads, but we need to remember that this is a mere tool, not a cure. Thanks for your input! -Karen