Gateway Drug: a habit forming substance, while not itself addictive, may lead to the use of other addictive drugs.

Now some of you might be staring at the title up above and think, "Did she just call sugar a gateway drug?" Sounds a bit far fetched...or is it? If you have parents who grew up in the 60's, 70's, even the 80's and 90's, the "gateway drug" has always been Marijuana! There have been countless conspiracy theories about why and how marijuana got such a bad wrap. But, let's save that for another blog. This is my break down of why I believe SUGAR is the biggest cover up of a gateway drug.

The theory of a "gateway drug" is: "Substances that, when consumed, give way to harder, more dangerous drugs. Nicotine or alcohol are believed to open the door to drugs such as meth, heroin, and cocaine." -Drugrehab.com My only thought reading the theory, "Why is sugar not on that list of substances that lead to more destructive drugs?" Some may think that is a bold statement, but let me explain...

The Similarities of Alcohol, Drugs & Sugar

Ever heard of a "sugar high"? Yup, we all have. A "sugar high" is when your brain releases a neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Dopamine is a "Feel Good" chemical that makes you feel all happy and warm. This is called, "the pleasure and reward effect". If one is habitual in eating sugar, the release of Dopamine starts to lessen in the blood stream, and your body doesn't like that. Your mind and body want to feel that warm and fuzzy feeling, so you crave even more sugar to get your next "high". This pattern just continues on and on. The more sugar you consume, the less affect it has. "To get your next "High" you MUST eat more sugar!" At least that's what your brain is telling you.

Sounds like an alcohol or dug addiction, right? A little freaky when it's broken down like that!! Alcoholics and drug addicts battle the same struggle to achieve their next "high". The mind of an addict constantly craves the next "high", and to "get there" the dose must increase, inevitably relying on the substance entirely. Here is where we need step in and declare, "substance abuse"!

 I see no difference between an alcoholic, drug addict, or sugar addict. (Not to mention sugar has been declared more addictive than cocaine by numerous studies conducted in scientific labs.) Yet, we as a society only focus on the "destructive affects of alcohol and drugs in our youth". What about the destructive affects of SUGAR?!!!

Affects of Sugar

Sugar will not inhibit you from driving a vehicle, cause you to text the person you dislike at a particular moment cause of "false courage", or cause you to eat an entire box of tacos from taco bell, but it will still destroy your blood sugar levels, glucose stabilization, and increase future health complications...let's just call it the slow and silent destroyer. No, you won't eat a candy bar and get diabetes the next day, however, if sugar is a regular part of your daily nutrition, here are some harsh side effects of sugar addiction:

 Chronic Diseases

Headaches

Various Cancers

 Obesity

 Diabetes

 Heart complications

 Dementia

 Alzheimers

 Higher risk of substance abuse with harder drugs and alcohol

 And many more...

There have been several studies that have shown that children that are addicted to sugar are more likely to become addicted to drugs and alcohol in the future.

The average American eats 150 to 170 pounds of refined sugar in one year! Let's break that down...150 pounds is equivalent to 1/4 cup of sugar a day! WHAT?!!! The "safe" number for women is 6 teaspoons a day; for men it's 9 teaspoons a day. That means we eat double on average!! Children should be eating even smaller amounts, and I have a hunch that they consume even more sugar on a daily basis than adults do!

Breaking The Addiction

It is not necessarily dropping sugar from your diet entirely. In fact, cutting it "cold turkey" could cause massive withdrawals, headaches, very similar to drug and alcohol withdrawal. The idea is to lessen the amount of sugar consumed.

Here are some tips to break the addictive cycle:

Nutrition! This seems to be a theme for my webpage, but it's a very important element to your mental health! Incorporate foods high in protein (this is not just animal protein). Add more veggies to your plate! Also, eat before you get hungry. When you have a full belly, you have less of a chance of having those cravings!

Plan! When you are heading out for a long drive, or going on a road trip, pack your snacks and food in the car! I do this...A LOT!! With three kids, I always here, "I'm Hungry!" (Even on a 2 minute car ride from school to home!) I always have snacks in the car! (Trail mix, nuts, apples, "That's It" bars-so good!) I also leave bowls of nuts and fruit out on counter tops and table tops in our house. I have very little or no "sweet treats" in our house. (See my post Treats...Not Part Of Your Daily Nutrition Plan).

Sleep! Did you know that the less you sleep the higher of an appetite you have? Ugh, so just sleep! Your systems need that time to digest, break down, and rest too...so let them!

Take Your Supplements! I love my vitamins! Omega 3 fatty acids assist in increasing serotonin levels, which helps improve your mood and curb your appetite. So eat up that fish oil, it will dull that sugar craving!I stand firm in my belief that knowing your deficiencies will alter your life. So go get your arm poked, and find out what your lacking!

Hitting Your Limit

So many people today are battling addictions. We as a society are looking to a "quick fix", a "high", or an "escape". The truth...those don't exist without some severe repercussions. If you, or a loved one, is constantly seeking that feel good sensation, put the work in for yourself. Seek out a project, a marathon, a new crafting hobby. Have your loved one sign up for something with you, do something together (sometimes having a familiar face makes signing up way more exciting!) Give yourself something to work for, something to look forward to. THAT is where you will find your "high"! Something that will enhance your life and the lives of those around you. Not a substance that your mind will become dependent on in order to feel any pleasure.

Refined sugars should be reserved for a "treat", not an every dietary NEED. Be the boss of your mind...tell it that you don't NEED it! You can find your "feel good moment" elsewhere.