Sugar however in its effects is considered to be 8 times as addictive as cocaine. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D., consuming large amounts of foods high in sugar while observing the brain on an MRI shows that sugar lights up the brain "like a Christmas tree," (Wise, 2014). In comparison according to research by Dr. David Ludwig, M.D., Ph.D, sugar lights up the same portion of the brain that is set off by cocaine or heroine (Wise, 2014). When sugar or cocaine is absorbed into the body they both cause the release of dopamine which is a feel good chemical within the body. Both consist of a wide range of physiological effects on the human body and cause many physical withdrawal symptoms. Overconsumption of both sugar and cocaine can potentially lead to …show more content…
This study was conducted by Serge Ahmed which showed that rats preferred sugar that was mixed with water over cocaine which was given intravenously. Studies showed that 94 percent of the rats that were allowed to choose on their own between sugar and cocaine, majority chose sugar (Bennett, 2011). The sugar quickly became a preference once offered especially to rats that were already addicted to cocaine. The rats were willing to work more for the sugar than they were for cocaine (Bennett, 2011). In order to test this theory researchers used cross-sensitization which involves being able to switch easily from one addiction to