Food addiction is a serious and real biochemical difficulty of the brain that affects behavior and requires a multi-pronged therapy strategy. Specific diet programs are the foundation of treatment, with abstinence (complete avoidance of the trigger foods) essential. Although natural treatments aside from diet for food addiction get less attention, several approaches may help you to get through the first treatment phase.
Biochemistry!
Overall, to produce ideas which may help, it’s important to consider the biochemistry of the brain pathways involved in creating cravings and undergoing benefit. The pathways include what’s known as the mesolimbic system, which is based in part on the mind transmitter dopamine. Other receptors that modulate dopamine in that area include glutamate (excitatory) and GABA (inhibitory).
About Endorphines
Additionally, many foods stimulate release of natural endorphins, the morphine-like peptide hormones of the mind and body. Endorphins can lead to the calming effects of certain highly rewarding foods such as sweets and/or fats. Finally, the gut digests the proteins from particular foods such as wheat gluten or milk casein to morphine-like peptide hormones known as exorphins.
Natural Treatments
With that history in mind, let us look at 2 natural remedies aside from restrictive diets that might help people with food addiction get back in control of their eating behaviour:
Wild ginseng
Wild ginseng is an herb accessible over-the-counter which has shown an ability to cut back on morphine-triggered sensitization in rats.
Scientists think that sensitization, i.e., adaptive changes in the use of cells which regulate dopamine release and behavioral reactions by the mesolimbic pathways, lead to cravings for many different addictive substances. Addictive substances include drugs such as morphine, cocaine or amphetamine and foods such as table sugar (sucrose). In sensitization, the exact same stimulus repeated intermittently contributes to the progressive amplification of reactions due to changes in the person who has obtained the stimulus (or medication ) or a cross-sensitized stimulation (or medication ).
Additionally, stress itself may cross-sensitize with cocaine or amphetamine, meaning once sensitization has taken hold, there are lots of different, seemingly unrelated elements that could put things off again.
Finding ways to block the growth and/or expression of sensitization might cut the addictive potential of foods or drugs which act on these brain pathways.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique that involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points (acupuncture points) of their body. Acupuncture professionals are highly trained specialists who understand when, where and how to stimulate or sedate a stage to produce desired therapeutic results.
Chinese medicine theory suggests that these generally superficial acupuncture points fall along pathways known as meridians as part of a complex, delicate network. The acupuncture network is distinct from nerves, blood vessels or other physical structures within the body, though connective tissues may be involved.
Meridians run from head to toe. Sophisticated brain imaging tests have shown that inserting needles into specific acupuncture points along the body can change activity of certain brain pathways found physically far away in the body from the point where the needle has been inserted.
Research shows that acupuncture can cut back on cocaine-sensitized behaviours in association with changes in the dopamine reward pathways of the mind. Acupuncture at a particular point can also cut back on morphine hunting behavior and withdrawal symptoms from morphine-addicted animals. The mind transmitter GABA may be involved in this beneficial set of consequences.
Conclusion
Overall, these 2 integrative approaches taken from other medicine may provide some useful strategies for people seeking to overcome food addiction. But, every individual’s situation is unique. You should always consult with your doctor, acupuncturist, or naturopathic physician about what may or might not be safe and wise for you.
