What is the addiction cycle?

Have you ever wondered why some foods are so hard to resist? Why do we sometimes eat more than we need, even when we are not hungry?

The answer may have something to do with a brain chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which means it helps send messages between nerve cells in the brain. Dopamine release happens in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region famous for its role in registering pleasure and reinforcing learning. Dopamine is involved in many functions, such as learning, memory, movement and motivation. One of the most important roles of dopamine is to make us feel good when we do something rewarding, such as eating a delicious meal, playing a video game or getting a hug from a friend.

Lots of things give you little dopamine boosts… eating a tasty meal when you’re hungry, connecting with friends and loved ones, and achieving goals. However, certain activities and substances—like drugs, gambling, and (yes) highly-processed foods—can produce unnaturally high surges of dopamine. When we eat something tasty, our brain releases dopamine as a way of saying “good job, that was a smart choice”. This makes us feel happy and satisfied, and also encourages us to repeat the behavior in the future. This is how we learn to associate certain foods with pleasure and reward.

The greater the dopamine response, the more pleasure you experience. The more pleasure you feel, the more motivated you are to repeat it. When you experience a dopamine surge, you learn to associate pleasure with the specific activity or substance that caused it. As that learning continues, your prefrontal cortex and your reward system get hijacked. You become focused on getting more of the thing. And you have trouble experiencing pleasure from anything else.

Not all foods have the same effect on dopamine. Some foods, especially those that are high in sugar, fat and salt, can trigger much more dopamine than others. These foods are called highly palatable foods, and they can be very addictive. They are like drugs for our brain, because they make us feel so good that we want more and more of them. The problem is that when we eat too much of these foods, our brain gets used to the high levels of dopamine and starts to need more to feel the same pleasure.

Over time, your brain adapts to these floods of dopamine. This is called tolerance. Tolerance drives you to chase more of the pleasurable thing, yet you rarely feel satisfied, and it means that we have to eat more of the addictive food to get the same reward. Over time, this can lead to a cycle of craving and bingeing on these foods, even when we are not hungry or when we know they are bad for us. This cycle can also affect our mood and emotions. When we are not eating the addictive food, our dopamine levels drop and we feel unhappy, anxious or irritable. This is called withdrawal, and it makes us want to eat more of the food to feel better. This can create a vicious circle of addiction that is hard to break. This is the addiction cycle.

Food addiction is a serious condition that can affect our health and well-being. It can cause weight gain, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other problems. It can also make us feel guilty, ashamed or depressed about our eating habits.

Must-Listen! Dr. Bonnie Nolan Unveils the Science of Addiction

Dear INFACT Community,

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of addiction and recovery? Episode 32 of the Food Addiction Podcast is here, and it’s a game-changer!

We’re thrilled to feature Dr. Bonnie Nolan—a neuroscientist, Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a powerful voice in the food addiction space. With a PhD in neuroscience and years of hands-on experience, Dr. Nolan brings unparalleled insight into the brain’s dopamine response and its role in addiction.

But here’s what makes this episode truly extraordinary:

  • Dr. Nolan’s personal recovery journey from alcohol and food addiction.
  • Eye-opening connections between childhood trauma, ACEs, and addictive behaviors.
  • Why ultra-processed foods must be recognized as addictive substances in the DSM-V.
  • The remarkable ability of the brain to heal through recovery practices.

Dr. Nolan’s passion and expertise light up this episode, offering inspiration, hope, and practical guidance for anyone affected by addiction. Whether you’re in recovery, a healthcare professional, or simply curious, this episode will leave you feeling empowered and enlightened.

Warm regards,
Esther Helga GuĂ°mundsdĂłttir
Founder, INFACT School

Tune in now!

The International School for Food Addiction Counseling and Treatment (INFACT) is thrilled to announce new training modalities for 2025! We’re expanding our certification opportunities to offer greater flexibility and accessibility:

đź“… Two Certification Periods:

  • March 2025 Start Date
  • September 2025 Start Date

🌟 What’s New for 2025:

  • On-Demand Online Program with examinations available twice a year!
  • Treatment & Recovery Practicum Course offered two times a year.
  • Stay tuned for exact dates—we can’t wait to share more details soon!

đź“– Program Highlights:

  • 170 hours of engaging and informative virtual teaching sessions.
  • Access to our exclusive student platform packed with valuable resources and support.
  • Comprehensive lectures, teaching manual, and course materials.
  • Receive the prestigious Certified Food Addiction Professional (CFAP) credential, recognized by the European Certification Board.

Let’s make a difference together. Stay tuned for more updates! 🎓

Sign up today!

We’re thrilled to announce the Monthly Guest Lecturer Series, featuring the biggest names and brightest minds in food addiction research and treatment! This is your chance to learn directly from the pioneers shaping the field, including:

  • Dr. Vera Tarman, MD – Renowned addiction expert and author of Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction.
  • Nicole M. Avena, PhD – Leading neuroscientist and author of Why Diets Fail, specializing in the science of food addiction.
  • Susan Peirce Thompson, PhD – New York Times bestselling author and founder of Bright Line Eating.
  • Robert H. Lustig, M.D. – World-famous endocrinologist and author of Fat Chance, known for his expertise in sugar addiction and metabolic health.

…and many other trailblazing thought leaders!

💡 Want to learn from the best? These lectures are open to everyone—no CFAP certification required!

🎓 Pricing Options:

  • $40 per individual lecture
  • $325 for a 10-lecture bundle (save $75!)

This is an incredible opportunity to hear directly from the experts driving change in how we understand and treat food addiction. Whether you're a professional or simply passionate about the topic, these lectures will empower and inspire you.

Message us to learn more!
đź“š Must-Read Recommendation for the INFACT Community!

We are honored to present H. Theresa Wright's newest book, The Sane Food Solution: Transform Your Relationship with Food and Change Your Life. This is an essential read for anyone affected by food addiction and a valuable resource for all INFACT students.

If you’ve ever struggled with your relationship with food or felt trapped in cycles of compulsive and addictive eating, this book is here to guide you toward a path of peace, freedom, and joy.

Written by a pioneer in the field of disordered eating, The Sane Food Solution offers a compassionate and effective approach that has transformed thousands of lives. Inside, you’ll find:

  • Insightful Strategies to navigate emotional and psychological eating triggers.
  • Nutritional Expertise tailored to support lasting health and well-being.
  • Holistic Approaches to address the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of food-related issues.
  • Practical Tools like written exercises and a structured recovery program to empower sustainable change.

Whether you’re seeking personal recovery or expanding your professional knowledge, this book is a powerful tool for anyone ready to transform their relationship with food.

Don’t miss out—this is a must-read for our INFACT community!

➡️ Available now on Amazon.

Are you interested in discovering if you are a food addict?

The INFACT School now offers you access to a free diagnostic tool called the Yale Scale. If you’re curious to find out whether you might have a food addiction or just keen to see the self-report measure in action, you can complete the questionnaire below.

Once you complete the questionnaire, we will be in touch with the next steps to help you in your recovery process.

Complete questionnaire
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