lecture 8

Question 1

arguments against food addiction?

Answer 1

• food does not have same psychoactive & addictive effects as drugs so cant use the same term of “addiction”
• key features of substance addiction doesnt translate well to food consumption (the resemblance between the 2 is descriptive, not evidence based)
• lack of neurobio evidence showing brain changes linked to food addiction
• validity of scales like food addiction scale is questionable
• theres a lot of overlap w already established diagnoses like obesity & BED

Question 2

arguments in favor of food addiction?

Answer 2

• the obesity rates have increased immensily even w ppl that have the intention of being healthy
• combination of macronutrients may be addictive
• overlap in brain systems: neuroscience studies show that overeating & obesity are associated w same brain areas as drug addiction
• behavioural similarities: compulsivitiy -> cause both addiction & food addiction continue despite ngative consequences