Or maybe a donut really isn't your thing, Reader.

I do like sweets, but not really donuts. Anyway, the point is that homemade "junk food", although maybe not highly nutritious, is still probably a better bet than that store bought, shelf stable stuff. And I made a video about why!

Well, kind of.

This video is going to scratch the surface of food addiction, whether it's actually a thing (I think so and a lot of researchers do too), and a little bit about why that matters.

Food addiction, specifically ultra high processed foods (UHPFs/HPFs), impacts a LOT of people. Across the ENTIRE lifespan!

Pretty big deal.

Click below to watch now for a 12 minute delicious psych psnack!

So what's the actual point here?

• FA potentially effects 14% of adults and 12% of kids in the US
• The brain treats UHPFs as addictive substances based on brain scans and dopamine increases in the straitum (just like with other substance addictions)
• Many people with FA respond to opioid antagonist medications used to treat other addictions
• UHPFs are NOT found in nature but are engineered to be delicious and craved
• High sugar + high fat + sensory pleasure = not a natural food (but hard to resist!)
• Heavily marketed to kids and readily available almost everywhere (even food desserts)
• Is this a behavior problem? Or a specific substance problem? Who gets the blame or responsibility?
• Try using the YFAS for clients where it makes sense

For me, a lot of this research and thinking about certain food "substances" this way is new. I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about the whole thing.

I DO know that I don't like being manipulated by big companies that want me to eat stuff that's bad for me, although that's not exactly new. I've just never thought about it from this "addiction" perspective. And right away I can think of certain patients that may be at risk or dealing with FA without our even knowing or understanding it!

Now I have more information to share and potential ways to address these issues!

Does knowing you’re potentially being manipulated impact your food choices, Reader? (I'm looking at this one for myself because I'm not really sure!)

Food can be a highly charged topic and is a really big business!! And on top of that, everyone needs to eat! And some of this stuff really tastes wonderful after a long, stressful day of therapy work.

Maybe it's not tricky for you to navigate, but I'm taking my time to dig into the research and do some of my own introspection and see what I come up with!

In the meantime, I'll stick with homemade sweets and treats! They may have lots of extra sugars and fats not found in nature but it takes time to make them, they have a lot more fiber and water (than UHP versions), and in my house they're made with love! The best additive ever.

Cheers to healthy brains,

Dr. B

Jessica Beachkofsky, MD

P.S. What do you think about this topic? Want more? Or do you have a lot more experience than me and have some research or perspectives to share? Reply and let me know!

P.P.S. I prefer brownies. Or oatmeal, chocolate chunk cookies. Things I can pick up and walk away with. No utensils required!