Animal studies have found that similar to substance addictions, the consumption of certain types of food increases dopaminergic activity in the brain’s mesolimbic reward circuits, leading to increased intake over time, and ultimately, when animals are deprived of these foods, can precipitate symptoms of withdrawal.References

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1. Avena NM, Bocarsly ME, Hoebel BG. Animal models of sugar and fat binging: relationship to food addiction and increased body weight. Methods in molecular biology. 2012; 829, 351-365.

1. Avena NM, Bocarsly ME, Hoebel BG, Gold MS. Overlaps in the nosology of substance abuse and overeating: the translational implications of “food addiction”. Current drug abuse reviews. 2011 Sep; 4(3), 133-139.