Pleasurable things such as food, sex, a glass of wine and certain drugs all raise levels of the reward chemical dopamine in our brain.
For many people, eating sweet foods like chocolate and ice-cream raises dopamine levels in a way that keeps them going back for more.
In other words, these people can become as hooked on food as alcoholics are on alcohol and smokers are on nicotine. Cravings can be difficult to control so its important to manage them and recognise them when they start.
One reason the craving to overeat may occur, is that the brain is deficient in dopamine receptors. In someone like this, it would take more food than normal to get the same hit of satisfaction. Dopamine is also a major player in the frontal cortex, the area of the brain that puts the brakes on destructive behaviour.
So being low in dopamine hits your weight control efforts because you are driven to eat more and it’s harder to stop once you start.
Let’s repeat that!!!!!!
So being low in dopamine hits your weight control efforts because you are driven to eat more and it’s harder to stop once you start.
Unfortunately, there is no way to test your brain to determine whether your dopamine levels are low.
But if you suspect that’s the case, you should try adopting new sources of pleasure.
For example, exercise appears to raise dopamine levels,so start exercising.
Go for a walk
Swim
Ride a Bike
Mow the Lawn
Dance
Don’t buy foods you simply can’t stop eating (ensure you don’t have them in the house)
Avoid high carbohydrates and sweet sugary foods because the high release of sugar into your system can make you crave bad foods even more.
If you do experience a craving, consider that the craving will act a bit like a wave.
The craving will come and it will get stronger and stronger and then PEAK and then the craving will gently subside and roll away.
Ride it out and when the craving is at its strongest, distract yourself until it passes, because it certainly will pass!