Opiates and Sugar

Sugar and sweet food have been associated with drug addiction in the past. For some people, using opioids may induce a craving for sugary foods.

The Relationship Between Opioids & Sugar Intake

Drugs activate the reward centers of the brain that deal with pleasure and well-being. Researchers have found an association between opiate use and sugar consumption in rats, which has caused them to question whether high sugar intake is associated with opioid use in humans.

This particular study looked at the responses of rats who were given unlimited access to high fructose corn syrup to see whether or not this altered their behavioral and neural responses to the opioid drug, oxycodone. The findings suggest that a high-sugar diet dampens the rewards associated with oxycodone and could encourage greater consumption of the drug, which could lead to abuse, addiction and possible overdose.

High fructose corn syrup is a refined sugar that is found in processed foods and beverages such as soft drinks and candy. There is a significant relationship between greater consumption of these types of foods and beverages and health issues that include hypertension, weight gain and metabolic syndrome. Past studies have also shown a positive relationship between opioid abuse and sugar intake.

How Eating Sugary Foods Is Similar to Drug Addiction

This recent study is not the first time that sugar and junk food have been associated with drug addiction. The connection has been made in the past based on similarities between these substances in terms of how they act in the body and mind. Among them are:

• The Dopamine Connection: dopamine causes the feeling of reward in the human brain and is a natural “pleasure” chemical. When you eat sugary foods or take opioids, they stimulate the opioid system and the dopamine system.
• Cravings: Have you ever craved sugary foods or beverages? Craving sugar is not the same thing as being hungry. This is your brain asking for a “reward,” which is similar to what happens with drugs.
• Tolerance: When your brain becomes used to higher levels of dopamine from either sugar or drugs, it can develop a tolerance. This means that you will need more to experience the same effect.

Opioids and Weight Gain

Opioid withdrawal appears to be related to weight gain in humans and other animals, perhaps fueled by eating higher amounts of craved sugary foods. In people who successfully complete a methadone treatment program, significant weight gain is often witnessed. It has also been found that obese adults with binge eating disorders may have lower amounts of mu-opioid receptors on their cells, which can lead to overeating.

Getting Help for Opioid Abuse Through Drug Addiction Treatment

Opioid addiction is serious and prolific. The National Institutes on Drug Abuse reports that more than 49,000 Americans lost their lives to opioids in 2019, which is more than half of all overdose deaths that year. If you or any of your loved ones are suffering from an opioid use disorder, there is a way out. Contact The Recovery Village now to learn about our comprehensive and personalized opioid addiction treatment program. We can help you get on the road to recovery from addiction.

Editor – Erica Weiman

Erica Weiman graduated from Pace University in 2014 with a master's in Publishing and has been writing and editing ever since. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Conor Sheehy, PharmD, BCPS, CACP

Dr. Sheehy completed his BS in Molecular Biology at the University of Idaho and went on to complete his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Washington in Seattle. Read more