A concerned mother, Rebble, posted a request for help for her 12 year old son who has suddenly started drinking Diet Coke and obsessively collecting the cans. I explain about the biochemistry of addiction and obsession. If your child, another loved one or even you, are hooked on Diet Coke, this blog offers practical solutions in the way of amino acids to balance brain chemistry and make quitting no longer about willpower. I share why I’d consider starting with the amino acid supplement tryptophan for serotonin support and the amino acid supplement tyrosine for dopamine support. And then looking into low blood sugar. I also share some of the many harmful effects of soda/diet soda and some practical tips for her as she encourages her son to make changes.
Here are her questions and what she has already tried to help him quit:
To my horror, my 12yo son has just started buying/consuming Coke and principally Diet Coke regularly from our village shop. He has got obsessed about collecting the cans, some of which are from his friends’ consumption but more and more from his. He used to hate these drinks but now peer pressure has kicked in and he wants to consume what his friends (who live on the stuff and a horrendous amount of sugar) consume.
I’ve pointed out the ingredients, that they are toxic to his brain. He doesn’t care.
I’ve shown him a brilliant video clip of Renaldo removing coca cola bottles from the press table and promoting water instead (with good effect).
Yet still he keeps buying the stuff.
I’ve made it known with the shopkeeper that I don’t approve of my children buying caffeinated sugary drinks full of neurotoxic ingredients but he doesn’t wish to police my children (though he did give me a refund on the 8 cans he had just sold my son!) which I understand.
Do you have a short summary of why it’s so bad, for children in particular? Either something I could show my children, their friends and/or the shopkeeper?
Is it the caffeine that makes it addictive?
My son does exhibit some challenging behaviors (e.g. torturous noise at home, not able to sit still without fidgeting with things at meals, etc.) but seems to be able to turn this on / off at will. I don’t think he does this at other people’s homes or at school. I can’t say they are necessarily linked to the drinks as they precede the start of him consuming them but I’m certain the drinks cannot help.
This is tough but I’m glad Rebble is horrified and working to do something about it. Sadly many parents have no idea how harmful these drinks are for pre-teens and teens.
She mentions his challenging behaviors preceded his diet soda drinking. It’s common that we see someone self-medicating with sugar and/or artificial sweeteners. And it’s likely that that peer pressure was the tipping point for him and then once she started he was well and truly addicted.
This is the feedback I shared for her and my observations on where to start: when I hear obsessed, peer pressure and challenging behaviors, I immediately think neurotransmitter or brain chemicals imbalances and would look into low serotonin and possibly low dopamine because of his inability to sit still. Low blood sugar may also be an issue.
What emotions are driving his addiction and obsession?
With an addiction you need to figure out what emotions are driving the addiction and use the respective amino acid supplement/s (one or more of them) to help break the addiction and improve the mood/behavioral symptoms at the same time.
These are the questions I review with my clients who have a Diet Coke addiction, or other diet soda or regular soda addiction (or even alcohol or carb addiction):
- If you drink it to feel happy (and especially from late afternoon into the evening) then your cravings are likely due to low serotonin, and tryptophan (or 5-HTP) stops the cravings and boosts mood and reduces anxiety.
- If you drink it for an energy boost or to give you focus then it’s likely due to low catecholamines and tyrosine will stop those cravings and give you a mood and energy boost, and also help with mental clarity.
- If you have to drink it when you haven’t eaten in awhile it’s likely low blood sugar. Glutamine on the tongue stops the desire almost immediately and also helps with the low blood sugar symptoms of shakiness and irritability.
- If you stress-drink, your cravings are likely due to low GABA, and GABA will stop the stress-drinking and calm you down too.
- If you drink it for comfort or a reward then it’s likely due to low endorphins and DPA (d-phenylalanine) will stop that feeling of “I deserve-it” and also give you a hug-like mood boost.
Ideally mom would have him complete the amino acids symptoms questionnaire in order to figure out which areas are issues for her son.
This is where I would start
I don’t have all this information but based on mom’s feedback this is where I would start: serotonin support, dopamine support and address low blood sugar.
We do know he is obsessed with collecting the cans. Obsession and cravings for a sweet taste is a clear sign of low serotonin i.e. a big clue that #1 may apply to her son and that he may benefit by using tryptophan or 5-HTP.
We do also know he is “not able to sit still without fidgeting with things at meals.” The Diet Cokes may be helping him focus and this is a big clue that #2 and low dopamine may also apply to her son, and that he may benefit from tyrosine. Keep in mind tyrosine also helps to break the caffeine addiction too.
I’m not sure what his “torturous noise at home” could be related to but it may be a clue to #3 i.e. low blood sugar and irritability. It may also be a symptom of rage or anger, also a sign of low serotonin and #1.
I would also look at his diet and make sure he is eating for blood sugar stability (quality protein for breakfast with healthy fats, healthy fats/protein at each meal and healthy snacks). And address everything else I cover in my book – gluten, microbiome etc.
It’s not unusual for someone to have imbalances in multiple areas. If this is the case, I always recommend doing a trial of one amino acid at a time, so it’s easy to see the benefits.
Role models, the harmful effects of soda/diet soda and other things I’d try with this young man
On one hand, you could be surprised that the Renaldo press conference clip removing the Cokes (watch it here) didn’t make enough of an impression because having a sporting hero as a role model is powerful. BUT on the other hand, based on what I know about soda/diet soda.caffeine and addiction, role models are unfortunately just not enough for some folks.
I shared these other things I’d try:
1) Have someone other than mom tell him about the harmful effects of diet sodas – a respected teacher, favorite uncle or nutritionist.
2) Appeal to things that may make him think twice about it like acne and not being fit enough to play his favorite sport. Concerns about weight gain or not being able to get into his desired university (because of impacts on his academic grades) may be a driver too. It’s doubtful that he’d be concerned with tooth decay, adrenal dysfunction, diabetes, heart disease, inflammation, increased risk of osteoporosis or increased anxiety/depression and insomnia.
3) Suggest that he does a school project on the topic so he understands the many harmful effects and facts (the research confirms that adolescents lack knowledge regarding health risks of soda and diet soda consumption. The project could hail Renaldo as a hero and he could get his buddies to help.
4) Help him find something else he likes to drink. Fruit juice isn’t a good option but fizzy fermented drinks are and so is fruit-infused water.
5) Be sure the rest of the family is setting an example at home and when you go out
6) Keep planting the seeds with love and encouragement
However, none of the above or flat-out saying he cannot buy diet sodas will work if there is the addiction aspect and unbalanced brain chemistry.
Keep in mind there is a continuum with sugar/carb/artificial sweeteners/caffeine addiction i.e. some kids (and adults) can quit sugar/carbs/artificial sweeteners/caffeine more easily and others need some nutritional support and some need much more support for balancing brain chemistry with amino acids. If there are also behavioral issues/signs that’s the clue they likely need the amino acid support.
Once he has the facts and understands the harm he also has to be willing to make the changes to break the addiction if it’s severe. I have parents gently recommend a month trial to see if it will work. “No diet soda forever” is too much for a pre-teen/teen (and adults too) to grasp and be ok with especially when they are addicted.
Rebble posed her question on a blog about Diet Coke addiction: I need help with my Diet Coke addiction – when I stop, my fatigue, brain fog, anxiety/depression increase big time!
Be sure to read the above blog for further insights.
I appreciate her for reaching out and hope this additional information helps her son and helps you too.
Resources if you are new to using tryptophan or GABA as supplements
If you are new to using tryptophan or GABA as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances, including low low serotonin and low doapmine).
If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.
There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues (which include rage/anger/irritability/self-harm).
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs. You can find them all in my online store. The above oral lavender products are available in my online store too.
If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
Has one of the amino acids helped with your preteen’s soda or diet soda addiction? Which one/s helped?
What helped your preteen be open to the idea of using the amino acids to quit?
What else helped?
Has any of the above helped you too? Or your clients/patients?
If you have questions and other feedback please share it here too.
lucie hammond says
Great article – thanks. My 11yo son recently watched the documentary “that sugar film” and was so scared by the stats and facts of sugar consumption, and a scene where a teenager who had consumed Mountain Dew since a toddler had all of his rotten teeth painfully removed by a mobile dentist – he immediately started reading food and drink labels and estimating maximum sugar intake for the day. This might wane over time but I was pleased with the impact and would recommend the film to Pebble and son.
Trudy Scott says
Lucie
Good for your son! And thanks for sharing this resource!
Heidi says
Hi I would like some help with my son who is 9. He fidgets constantly, in the car, at the dinner table. He also gets angry when told to sit still and always talks back and has to have the last word. He also struggles to go to sleep at night. Sometimes wide awake till 9 or 10pm. No problems at school apart from struggling to get organised but is working on that. He has such a lovely nature but the anger and behaviour change lately is very challenging.
Trudy Scott says
Heidi
With anger and sleep issues we look into low serotonin and with fidgeting and struggles with getting organized we look into low dopamine (and use the respective amino acids). Low GABA can also cause sleep, focus and organizational issues.
You don’t mention what his diet is like but it goes without saying that dietary factors are key too – no gluten, no sugar, no caffeine, quality animal protein, healthy fats, organic veggies/fruit and fermented foods plus eating for blood sugar balance (all explained in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/) Addressing gut health, low GABA, low zinc, low omega-3s etc may also be needed.
When behavioral and sleep changes are severe and come on suddenly we also look into infections like Lyme, strep (PANS/PANDAS) and toxins too.
Heidi says
Thanks Trudi. I try to keep his diet healthy but will definitely try gluten free too. How do I know how much of each of each supplement for the low Gabba, low serotonin and low dopamine to give and where is the best place to order these from please? Thanks again for your great advice.
Trudy Scott says
Heidi
My book has an entire chapter on the aminos with detailed info on doses and times.
If you do find you need guidance and support – GABA Quickstart program https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/ You get specific feedback because I gather a mini health history.
You can order them from my online supplement store here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/
Ronnie says
I used to think diet soft drinks were better than those with sugar. I would have a diet coke in the afternoon to give me energy at work, and so my daughter also drank it. When I became more informed, and stopped drinking it, I explained to her than it was making it hard for her to go to sleep at night, so she could only have it on weekends. I also changed it from a regular can size to a small can, and I kept the cans out of sight. Initially she desperately wanted it on weekends, but over time it lost its power, and now she rarely asks for it.
Trudy Scott says
Ronnie
Thanks for sharing and well done on figuring this out and making these changes for yourself and your daughter. And yes that initial desperate need is common when there is an addiction.
I share more about aspartame in this recent log https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/transgenerational-transmission-of-aspartame-induced-anxiety-and-changes-in-glutamate-gaba-signaling-a-new-study-and-solutions/
Elizabeth says
The noises Rebble describes her son making, sounds similar to my son when he was around 11 years old. As a mother, it was very distressing to hear them through the house. I felt that whilst he could control them at school or with friends, when he was at home and relaxed, that’s when they started. I wondered if he had Tourette’s Syndrome as it seemed to be compulsive but the doctor diagnosed him as having ADHD, which did seem to fit his symptoms then. However as he grew older (he’s now 27 yrs old) he disagreed with this diagnosis, completed a university commerce degree, building a solid career and recently marrying. Anyway, back to the noises- I observed they became worse (as did his moods) when he spent hours playing computer games. In hindsight, my marriage was going through a stressful time (we were later divorced), so I’m sure this was impacting him. Another doctor we started seeing believed it was poor gut health.
Trudy Scott says
Elizabeth
Thanks for sharing your son’s experiences – it’s wonderful to hear he is doing so well!
Everything you mention may have contributed to his distressing sounds and moods – hours on playing games (exhaustion, not eating well and low blood sugar are common), poor gut health and family stress. Tourette’s syndrome would be worth looking into in situations like this too – common with low serotonin (with the obsessive aspects) and low GABA (when here are also tics).
May I asked what changes led to improvements with your son?
Heidi says
Hi Trudi
Do you know anything about the oats test? If so, does it give an good indication of serotonin and dopamine deficiency?
Trudy Scott says
Heidi
There are some markers that can be clues to low serotonin and low dopamine but I rely on the symptoms questionnaire and response to amino acid trials
Marlize Boyle says
Which brand of Tyrosine would you recommend please. Not in the US. Thanks
Trudy Scott says
Marlize
iherb has some good brands – some examples are Now Foods Tyrosine and Doctor’s Best Tyrosine. Use this link to save 5% https://www.iherb.com/?rcode=BAN2021