Episode Summary
Sugar comforts, rewards, and tempts us when we’re down. But what happens when that comfort begins to control us?
In this episode of Drea’s Couch, Drea shares her personal love-hate relationship with sugar and explores a growing scientific debate: is sugar truly addictive, or have we simply underestimated its power?
Through personal reflection and current research, she unpacks how sugar affects mood, brain chemistry, and long-term health—and asks the question we all need to face:Is our relationship with sugar worth the risk?
Key Takeaways
* The Emotional Hook: Why sugar feels comforting when we’re stressed or sad.
* The Neuroscience: How sugar activates the brain’s reward system, similar to social bonding or drug use.
* The Scientific Debate:
* The Guardian highlights psychologist Ashley Gearhardt’s findings on compulsive sugar-seeking behavior.
* PsyPost reports that researchers from Jilin University say sugar addiction may meet behavioral addiction criteria.
* NIH research links excessive sugar intake to cognitive decline.
* The Health Impact: Regularly drinking sugar-sweetened beverages raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to The BMJ.
* The Reflection: Occasional indulgence is fine, but overconsumption can have long-term consequences.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: “It can excite or soothe me…”01:35 – Sugar and Emotion: Why we crave it when we’re low.03:10 – How Sugar Affects the Brain: Insights from Dr. Nicole Avena.06:25 – Is Sugar Addictive? Comparing findings from The Guardian, PsyPost, and NIH.11:10 – Health Impacts: The hidden link between sugar, cognition, and diabetes risk.14:40 – Reflection: Can we control our sugar habits—or does sugar control us?16:30 – Drea’s Closing Thoughts: “You decide.”
Mentioned Sources and Further Reading
* The Guardian – Your brain sees sugar as a reward. But does that mean it’s addictive?
* Nicole Avena: How Sugar Affects the Brain (TED-Ed)
* NIH: The Impact of Free and Added Sugars on Cognitive Function
* PsyPost: Sugar addiction is real, according to these scientists
* BMJ: Sugar-sweetened beverages and Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Connect with Drea
Substack: dreascouch.substack.comSpotify: Listen on SpotifyApple Podcasts: Listen on Apple PodcastsInstagram | X | TikTok: @dreascouch
If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who’s rethinking their relationship with sugar.
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