DENVER — If you have ever found yourself unable to stop yourself from eating too many Oreos at one time, it may not be your fault.
Students at Connecticut College say they conducted a study that found when lab rats ate Oreos, they formed an equally strong association with the popular dessert as the association other rats formed when injected with cocaine or morphine. Researchers say eating Oreos triggered even more neurons in the “pleasure center” of the rats’ brains than the addictive drugs.
“Our research supports the theory that high-fat/ high-sugar foods stimulate the brain in the same way that drugs do,” Neuroscience Professor Joseph Schroeder said in a school press release. “It may explain why some people can’t resist these foods despite the fact that they know they are bad for them.”
The student who put the study together wanted to see how foods with high fat and sugar content contribute to obesity in low-income communities.
“Even though we associate significant health hazards in taking drugs like cocaine and morphine, high-fat/ high-sugar foods may present even more of a danger because of their accessibility and affordability,” Jamie Honohun said.
On a lighter note, Honohun says researchers also found it if rats like to eat the cream middle or cookie outside first.
“They would break it open and eat the middle first,” she said.
A new study says the Oreos are as addictive in lab rats as drugs.
Students at Connecticut College say they conducted a study that found when lab rats ate Oreos, they formed an equally strong association with the popular dessert as the association other rats formed when injected with cocaine or morphine. Researchers say eating Oreos triggered even more neurons in the “pleasure center” of the rats’ brains than the addictive drugs.
“Our research supports the theory that high-fat/ high-sugar foods stimulate the brain in the same way that drugs do,” Neuroscience Professor Joseph Schroeder said in a school press release. “It may explain why some people can’t resist these foods despite the fact that they know they are bad for them.”
The student who put the study together wanted to see how foods with high fat and sugar content contribute to obesity in low-income communities.
“Even though we associate significant health hazards in taking drugs like cocaine and morphine, high-fat/ high-sugar foods may present even more of a danger because of their accessibility and affordability,” Jamie Honohun said.
On a lighter note, Honohun says researchers also found it if rats like to eat the cream middle or cookie outside first.
“They would break it open and eat the middle first,” she said.
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