Research on rats has found that sugar can trigger addiction-like behaviours, but comparisons to drugs like cocaine remain debated. While sugar can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as depression and behavioural changes when eliminated from the diet, experts continue to explore whether it meets the criteria for true addiction.
Drug-like effects
A review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine claimed that refined sugar has a similar effect on the brain as illegal drugs such as cocaine.1
Studies on rats have shown significant similarities between sugar consumption and drug-like effects, including bingeing, craving, tolerance, withdrawal, dependence, and reward. Some researchers argue that sugar alters mood and induces pleasure in a way that mimics drug effects such as cocaine. In certain experiments, rats even preferred sugar over cocaine, reinforcing the idea that sugar can strongly activate the brain’s reward system.
Aversion signal
The review looked at all the existing research about sugar and its potential addictive qualities.
Lead author of the review, James DiNicolantonio of Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, has said that, unlike salt, there is no ‘aversion signal’ to sugar – a built-in safety mechanism that protects us from eating too much salt. This isn’t present in sugar and so people can eat a lot of it and still want more. Whereas once people have eaten enough salt, they don’t want any more.
Withdrawal symptoms
DiNicolantonio has suggested that withdrawal symptoms from sugar stem from dopamine deficiency in the brain, potentially leading to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like symptoms and even depression.
Dopamine deficiency can be temporarily relieved by eating more sugar. DiNicolantonio claims that sugar can over-ride our self-control mechanisms – hence the term ‘sugar fix’.
Dietary energy
According to Public Health England2, sugar intake in England is nearly three times the recommended limit, with particularly high consumption among school-age children.
On average, sugar contributes between 12% and 15% of total energy intake, whereas the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition recommends that sugar should not exceed 5%.3
Excessive sugar consumption is linked to weight gain, which increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. But sugar also alters our mood and provides feelings of being rewarded and euphoria; hence the comparison to illegal drugs.
Reward system
While some researchers argue that sugar is addictive, others dispute this claim. A Harvard Gazette article explains that while sugar can trigger cravings and compulsive eating, it does not meet the strict clinical criteria for addiction like alcohol, nicotine, or opioids.4
Additionally, a study in Clinical Nutrition found no strong evidence from human studies supporting the idea that sugar addiction plays a role in eating disorders.5
Some researchers argue that addiction-like behaviours in rats occur only when sugar is restricted to short time windows; when given free access, these behaviours are not observed.
Nutritional value
Regardless of the addiction debate, experts agree that reducing sugar intake is beneficial for overall health. Sugar doesn’t offer anything from a nutrition perspective and excess sugar contributes to tooth decay, weight gain, and metabolic disorders. While some advocate for eliminating sugar entirely, others suggest focusing on nutrient-rich foods instead.
References
1 DiNicolantonio, J. J., O'Keefe, J. H., & Wilson, W. L. (2018). Sugar addiction: Is it real? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(14), 910-913. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097971
2 Public Health England. (2020). Sugar reduction: Report on progress between 2015 and 2019. Retrieved from Gov.uk
3 Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. (2015). Carbohydrates and health. Public Health England. Retrieved from Gov.uk
4 Hu, F. (2025, March 18). Is sugar addictive? Harvard Gazette. Retrieved from Harvard Gazette
5 Benton, D. (2009). The plausibility of sugar addiction and its role in obesity and eating disorders. Clinical Nutrition, 28(3), 293-298. Retrieved from ResearchGate