The Psychology of Sugar

By: Jayita Bandargal 

We all celebrate happy occasions with sweets: pastries on a birthday or anniversary, plum cake on Christmas, laddus distributed when someone accomplishes something. A sweet moment deserves a little sweetness in ur belly too. Never hurt anybody anybody right? But too much can quite literally change your behavior patterns, cognitive thinking, and physical abilities. 

Introduction 

Sugar is a sweet carbohydrate. The breakdown of carbohydrates in our body gives glucose, which is crucial to life (in moderate amounts). However, the types of sugar consumed centuries ago are now poles apart. Every store-bought item contains sugar, chemicals, and preservatives. They do much more harm than good. Our focus will be on sugar and its negative effects on our mental health. 

Sugar and Dopamine 

According to many publications, sugar can be as addictive and cause the same effects as that of drugs and substances (Avena et al., 2007). Intake of sugar is linked with the release of dopamine (Wellness Retreat Recovery, n.d.). Dopamine, as we all know, is the feel-good hormone. Our brains have been wired to seek out high calories for survival. Now with easy access to almost everything, it is not needed. Hence, when we consume high calories and release dopamine, it encourages us to repeat the action once more to feel happy. As we keep doing this, our threshold for dopamine increase from sugar keeps increasing to a point where it becomes an addiction. Very similar to substance addiction. Due to the high reliance on dopamine, the production of serotonin (mood and memory regulator) decreases which is linked to depression (Rutledge, 2021). This increases the dependency on sugar to feel better about yourself which in turn leads to a vicious cycle. 

Psychological effects of sugar 

The immediate sugar rush is followed by an even sooner sugar crash (Avena et al., 2007). This crash makes us feel low, moody, and easily irritable. The fluctuation of the hormones released and frequent mood changes can result in depression (as mentioned above). After-sugar effects are commonly associated with negative emotions. These negative emotions are highlighted in people suffering from anxiety when sugar is consumed. In this modern era, we have replaced contentment and the feeling of achievement with instant gratification. One way of feeling this is by consumption of sugar. Recent research has linked sugar with Alzheimer's and dementia (Perlmutter, 2023). High levels of sugar decrease neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to change its structure and function to retain information) (AbleTo, n.d.). 

Conclusion

Sugar can quite literally be a drug if not consumed in the right amounts. We cannot omit sugar from our daily lives. It is still essential for bodily functions. It just has to be noted that it is as dangerous and helpful. A little sweetness never hurt anybody. Just be careful to eat in moderation. 

References 

Avena, N. M., Rada, P., & Hoebel, B. G. (2007). Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 32(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2007.04.019 

Wellness Retreat Recovery. (n.d.). Sugar and dopamine: The link between sweets and addiction. Retrieved from 

https://wellnessretreatrecovery.com/sugar-and-dopamine-link-sweets-addiction/ 

Rutledge, T. (2021, May). Sugar may be stealing your happiness. Psychology Today. Retrieved from 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-healthy-journey/202105/sugar-may-be-stealing-y our-happiness 

Perlmutter, A. (2023, March). What sugar can do to your brain? Psychology Today. Retrieved from 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-modern-brain/202303/how-sugar-and-sweetener s-may-affect-your-brain 

AbleTo. (n.d.). 3 ways sugar impacts mental health. Retrieved from 

https://www.ableto.com/resources/3-ways-sugar-impacts-mental-health/#:~:text=Sugar%20inten sifies%20these%20symptoms%20by,outcomes%20commonly%20associated%20with%20anxie ty.