It’s not common knowledge that brain chemical or neurotransmitter imbalances can cause sugar cravings as well as anxiety and depression. But there certainly is a big connection between stress eating, comfort eating, emotional eating and low levels of the brain chemicals serotonin, GABA and endorphins. There is a growing body of research supporting this connection.
Sharing this sugar craving-brain chemical connection and bringing it back to my expertise in anxiety and stress is something I don’t get to do often enough. So when I heard about the Sweet Freedom Summit that Sherry Strong was hosting, I immediately reached out to her and shared this brain chemical imbalance/addiction/mood topic in the hope she’d invite me to speak.
I was thrilled when she said she’d love to interview me and then doubly thrilled when she said our interview was SO good (I really enjoyed it too!) she’s decided to offer it as a gift to EVERYONE who signs up for the summit! Wow!
The Sweet Freedom Summit runs April 10-17 and I’m giving you a sneak peek to some of my interview today.
Sherry starts the sugar cravings/emotional eating/addiction discussion by asking what the connection is to brain chemistry imbalances and what evidence do we have that this is happening? Here are a few snippets from my response:
Say we’ve got a brain chemical deficiency of low serotonin, we are going to crave sugar and carbs in the afternoon and evening. And we will also have the low serotonin symptoms which are depression, the worry type of anxiety, the ruminating thoughts, the worry, the fear (these are the symptoms I experienced in my late 30s – I was also a chocoholic)
So you have this emotional aspect and the sugar cravings aspect when you’ve got these brain chemical imbalances.
And I just want to share something with you. This is a study done in 2002. And I’m going to just read a quote from this. The title is Evidence that Intermittent, Excessive Sugar Intake Causes Endogenous Opioid Dependence.
They’re saying that sugar can be as addicting as opioids and drugs. The goal of the study was to determine whether withdrawal from sugar can cause symptoms similar to opioid dependence. We’ve been hearing in the news how opioid drugs like OxyContin can cause dependence and we can have severe withdrawal symptoms.
What they’re saying is palatable food stimulates systems in the body that are implicated in drug addiction. And they felt that intermittent, excessive sugar intake might create a dependency and you get these withdrawal signs.
So they are saying that withdrawal from sugar is very similar to withdrawal from something like morphine or nicotine. And this is interesting because we know how addicting drugs can be. And we don’t realize that sugar can be as addicting.
Sherry had me repeat this statement to really bring the message home:
Brain chemical imbalances, such as low serotonin, can cause mood problems, depression or anxiety or obsessive tendencies. And they can cause addictions, be it to street drugs, be it prescription drugs, or be it to sugar or some kind of carbohydrate. And we need to take them all as seriously as each other.
Do you resonate with any of the above? Maybe the example I shared will be closer to reality for you:
Just think about the obsessive nature we have when we’re craving something. We’ll binge eat a box of cookies. And then we may even rush out and buy a second box to replace the box that we binge-ate to replace it before someone sees that we’ve eaten the first box. That sounds like the behavior of a drug addict to me!
We also cover the low GABA type of stress eating that we see with anxiety and low endorphins comfort/reward eating where you really LOVE certain foods (think a big bowl of ice-cream) – and which targeted individual amino acids to use for each brain chemical imbalance. This all means NO willpower is required and zero feelings of deprivation! Really! (and you get a mood boost too)
I hope you can join us at the online no-cost event – simply click here to register today. It runs April 10-17 and when you register you’ll get immediate access to my interview and some other cool sign up gifs. Please share with family and friends who you know can benefit from this information!
Two decades ago, your host, Sherry Strong, was completely addicted to sugar. She was obese, sick and depressed to the point of wanting to die. All of that changed when she removed sugar from her diet.
If you are struggling to give up sugar, are an emotional eater or stress-eater or even if you simply indulge periodically – whether a health professional, busy mom, athlete or career-driven person – this event can help you, finally, improve your health, your life, your mood and end those sugar cravings and addictions!
Got questions or feedback? Please share them in the blog comments below.
Hi trudy… it sounds like a really good seminar. But I have one questionight about the serotonin imbalance… the psychology community is now saying that they have lied about the chemical imbalance…
https://www.madinamerica.com/2012/01/psychiatrys-grand-confession/
so how can this match the serotonin imbalance you are talking about.. I am a bit confused.
Karina
Great question that I actually addressed in an entire blog post here http://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/low-serotonin-anxiety-and-depression/ Hope this answers your questions.
I do hope you’ll keep an open mind and tune in to learn more! (simply register here http://healthaffiliate.center/739-9-5-8.html)
This is exactly what happened with my daughter. We knew she had anxiety since birth. (I have anxiety too) We tried really hard to keep sugar away from her because of the mood swings.(and of course heath reasons too) I believe she learned to self medicate with sugar at a young age. I include carbs when I say sugar. At age seven we took her to a psychologist and they put her on anti-anxiety. Then ADHD symptoms flared (I believe her anxiety slowed her down, without it she was not afraid to do anything)Fast forward I started learning how bad the drugs are. SO I started very slowly weaning her off for about two years. (she is now 15 years old)Last year I cut her off completely of all types of sugar and she went through withdraw. BUt like any addiction it is a constant battle. Her anxiety is bad and she gets winter depressions. As a parent I am trying everything, worried about how she will get along in the future. We did neuro-feedback all last year and it was great until winter and back to never wanting to leave the house. SHe is tired of me trying to “fix” her. Again, I fully agree people with anxiety self medicate with sugar/carbs we live it everyday.
Angela
It’s tough as a parent to see your child go through this but not uncommon to see this level of addition and withdrawal symptoms. I always start with addressing low brain chemicals like low serotonin (which can cause anxiety, depression, winter depression and the sugar addiction). The amino acid questionnaire is a good place to start http://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
I do hope you’ll tune in to learn more! (simply register here http://healthaffiliate.center/739-9-5-8.html)
@Karina
Thankyou for that link – very interesting to read.
@Trudy
I am a former sugar addict and will attest to the truly addictive nature of it.
I would get shaky and short-tempered if I missed my sugar hit, I used to drive out at midnight in search of a shop that was open so I could buy chocolate, I would eat so much chocolate that I would feel sick, then do the same thing the next day. I would eat my sweet treats in private so I didn’t have to share etc, etc.
I used a fantastic book called ‘potatoes not prozac’ to help me give up sugar and I have been sugar-free now for 15 years or more.
I am an extremely happy person. I’ve never had depression and I’m really positive, so I don’t feel I have low serotonin.
I do have anxiety though and sugar for me was ‘calming’, which makes sense as it facilitates the movement of tryptophan into the brain and hence increases the production of serotonin.
That doesn’t mean I was in a ‘low serotonin’ state – just that more serotonin feels good. Just in the same way that taking an opioid drug makes you feel good but doesn’t mean you are ‘deficient’ in that drug.
Interestingly, since I’ve given up sugar my ‘mood’ has been a lot more stable and calm, so the ‘calmness’ produced by sugar is short-lived and self-defeating and not a solution at all to anxiety.
Natalie
Yes we self-medicate with sugar and it’s very addicting! Thanks for sharing your story and so glad you have found a solution. For many people using the amino acids like tryptophan is the only way they can quit the sugar (or whatever the “drug-of-choice” is). I would have to disagree with your opioid drug comparison to serotonin 🙂 since serotonin is something made in the body and we can become deficient in it just like with low thyroid and other hormones
Hope you’ll join us on the summit – simply register here http://healthaffiliate.center/739-9-5-8.html
Hi Natalie! Potatoes Not Prozac saved my life. It’s amazing how simple dietary changes can be so powerful.
Marie
I’m so pleased you found your solution! May I ask what parts of the program have worked for you? and what results you have seen?
I’d like to add that while this approach does work for many people there are many who need to do more – like focus on quality (organic/grass-fed etc), remove gluten and sometimes all grains and even avoid starchy vegetables such as potatoes. Many people also need additional support from other key nutrients like the amino acids, to address gut health and the adrenals, and remove toxins.
Hi Trudy and Marie
The part of the program that worked for me was eating only 3 meals per day ( I used to snack constantly) and including protein with all meals and then the ‘potato’ for supper. The potato is a ‘slow’ carbohydrate that helps to move tryptophan slowly into the brain overnight so no sudden serotonin spikes.
Once you had that in place, it was easier to give up the sugar.
I agree that most of us have to do more and I have done this subsequently – addressing gut health, going organic, gluten free, dairy free, taking supplements etc, but 15 years ago there was VERY LITTLE help out there and as far as I’m aware ‘potatoes not prozac’ was the first book to address sugar addiction. There may be easier / more effective ways to do it now, but I agree with Marie – that book saved my life.
Natalie
Great feedback thanks! And yes her work was groundbreaking at the time and did help so many! So glad it helped you.
But I do wonder if similar good benefits would have been seen without the potato at dinner? I certainly see huge mood and cravings benefits with my clients who have protein at breakfast and with each meal.
Hi Trudy
The potato was ‘supper’, i.e. at least 3 hours AFTER dinner. People use different words for their meals, so it was 3 meals and a potato 3 hours after the last meal. It may have worked without the potato but for a sugar addict the potato was a real ‘treat’ and helped take place of all the treats you had to give up!
Hi Trudy,
I think the key for me was getting adequate protein throughout the day and then eating the potato before going to bed.
As Natalie mentioned, this program was cutting-edge at the time. I did it 20 years ago! Due to severe depression and anxiety, a psychiatrist wanted me to take Paxil. I refused and started searching for non-drug solutions. I discovered Potatoes Not Prozac and bought the book. The solution seemed too easy. What?! Just eat three meals with adequate protein, and eat a potato before I went to bed? No way. (I didn’t take any of the recommended vitamin supplements or drink protein shakes.)
I remember being terrified that it wouldn’t work for me. Terrified. I was losing weight and turning into a skeleton, and I desperately needed to stop the slide. If her plan didn’t work for me, I knew I’d be in big trouble. Thankfully it worked beautifully.
I know that the protein and evening-potato trick worked to create a lot of serotonin. At first I had hallucination-type dreams — as if I’d taken a drug! Apparently that’s normal when the brain suddenly gets a big hit of serotonin.
Thank you for all your work, Trudy. You’ve added another huge piece of the puzzle for me!
Hello Trudy, I too like Karina would like more clarification on the chemical imbalance theory as it’s just that….a theory. As I understand it there is absolutely no medical or scientific test that has been able to establish high or low serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine in depressed or sugar addicted people. Also there is no evidence that too little or too much of these hormones is the issue at all! I understand that some people are attracted to the ‘it’s not me it’s my chemicals’ solution but is this truly a solution? Is not learning emotional resilience a far deeper and wide ranging treatment?
Hi Terry
As I said to Karina this is a great question that I actually addressed in an entire blog post here http://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/low-serotonin-anxiety-and-depression/ Hope this answers your questions. I can attest that I see this powerful approach changing lives on a daily basis. It is very much a solution.
As far as learning emotional resilience for those in the midst of deep depression and/or severe anxiety, learning this is really hard work and often impossible but once imbalances are addressed this and other approaches like CBT, EMDR, tapping/EFT are way more effective.
I’d love to hear your experiences of learning emotional resilience and if you’ve made any nutritional changes that have helped with anxiety, depression, cravings etc
I do hope you’ll keep an open mind and tune in to learn more! (simply register here http://healthaffiliate.center/739-9-5-8.html)
Sorry for the delay replying Trudy. I found that working on ME….my self worth, and understanding the illusions I’d been fed on all my life (including the ones I fed myself) was a huge part of my recovery. I self-tapered from Fluoxetine 38 years ago (my choice). It was hard…but I never beat myself up when I ‘slipped’. I picked myself up and started again..many times. But I got there….and others can too. The answers do lie within ultimately. I realise we’re all different and that’s a minefield however the serotonin deficiency route lumps us all together….a drug has no intelligence or discrimination. Also giving up sugar was a big element for me. I feel it helps if one understands and links to our feelings over sugar the fact that given our on average 55 trillion cells in our body and only 10% are human cells (the rest being bacteria and parasites) It is Candida that’s speaking in our heads (it’s also in our brains) and NOT US. Forgive yourself everyone!!! Best ‘pill’ I can give you.
Terry
So glad you found solutions and figured out what works for you! However many people do need nutritional support and addressing low serotonin is one of many factors (as you can see from this blog on 60+ possible causes http://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/60-nutritional-biochemical-causes-of-anxiety/)
Low serotonin symptoms and amino acid urine test results, but get extremely aggitated taking inositol/5-htp. High cortisol clue, or serotonin is too low and extra sensitive? Any thoughts?
Sid
When this happen with my clients it could be they don’t need it, it’s too much, they have high cortisol (5-HTP), other ingredients in the product or a poor quality product. I like to have clients do one at a time to figure out which is the issue.
Just so you know I don’t use the urinary neurotransmitter testing http://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/urinary-neurotransmitter-testing-falls-short/
Thank you so much trudy… its a good read. A thing that strikes me..(as i am in withdrawal from cymbalta )
Some of the people who have troubles with the amino acides maybe they are taking a antidepressive and that interfering with the different types of amino acides? I cant wait till I am of the cymbalta. But a slow taper is the only way out. I have been tapering since sep 2015 from only 30mg… i will be finish this year to Christmas.
Best of all karina
Hi Trudy,
I heard you speak about GABA in the diabetes Summit. my daughter 12+ years has some symptoms of ADHD. I’ve put her on high vitamin therapy and a clean green diet which has helped her tremendously. But during her exams when she is at home she prepares very well but seeing her answer sheets I noticed that she is doing wrong the questions which she attempted at home in a calm environment. Can GABA help her? Do I need to get her tested for low GABA or low Serotonin or any thing else. Because the pressure of an exam is making her forget things. Please help!
Hello Shalini,
Based on the symptoms you report about your daughter, do consider taking Trudy’s pyroluria questionnaire. The fact that the stress of exams causes worsening of symptoms suggests possible pyroluria and the need for increased vitamin B6 and zinc…..and possibly other supportive nutrients.
Serotonin deficiency is associated with pyroluria.
You are a wise mother to be looking for natural solutions/causes for your child’s difficulties.
Trudy’s excellent book will safely walk you thru the process…questionnaire for pyroluria, amino acid (ex. Serotonin and GABA) trials to safely use supplements to provide symptom relief while addressing/correcting the underlying issue of pyroluria.
In my reading and research, I have come across many cases of “stressed out” teens/children who were helped immensely by identification of pyroluria and appropriate nutrient therapy.
Wishing you and your daughter well. Trudy’s book and blog are a Godsend for finding the cause and solution for many common problems.
Shalini
Yes GABA can help if it’s due to low GABA symptoms. I do a trial with clients if they score high on the low GABA questionnaire http://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-to-do-an-amino-acid-trial-for-anxiety/
Dear Liz,
Thank you so much for replying to my comment and for your suggestion for me to have a look at pyroluria Questionnaire. I had a a look at it, she is already on Vitamin B6 and Zinc so that could be the reason not a single symptom matches her in the current time. If it was six months back then maybe some of them would. But I guess the Vitamins are doing their work well. Thanks once again.
Dear Shalini,
So glad you already did the questionnaire and started on B6 and zinc.
In my reading and research, I have learned that with pyroluria there can be a worsening of symptoms during times of increased stress. And for children, taking tests can be a stressful event. Some practitioners advise increasing B6/Zinc a bit during times of greater stress – a point Trudy makes in her book. Trudy’s book also offers guidance on what are safe levels of B6/Zinc. One, of course, wants to give adequate amount of nutrients but always within a safe level. Take care.
I don’t know why I am not able to reply to your comment but Thanks liz for your kind and encouraging words. I will keep your observations in mind.
when taking the test most Dr’s state no prep but when you get the test the lab says no zinc or vit b for a week before taking the test, I wish dr’s would tell us this in advance
Carol
I’m not sure which test you are referring to – possibly the pyroluria urine test? If yes then zinc and B6 should be stopped for a week before
Karin:
Because Cymbalta is time released is that why you cannot add any amino acids
also what are they typical withdrawal symptoms of cymbalta
Carol
There is the potential for serotonin syndrome when SSRIs are used with tryptophan or 5-HTP. Although there has been no research confirming this many practitioners prefer to err on the side of caution and have their clients use them 6 hours apart and make sure the prescribing doctor is monitoring them.
You can read about withdrawal symptoms here http://kellybroganmd.com/stop-madness-coming-psych-meds/
Trudy thank goodness you are out there, I need help so if you could take just one more person, PLease let it be me Please
My Doctor hid not shore me up on 5 HPT before reducing the Pristiq which is time released. Or shore up my diet or anything. I took pristiq at 7 am and tried to take 50 5 hpt at 2pm had headache and flushing and naseau
moved to taking it at 8pm no issue
went to 100 at 8.00 pm and other issues went away however started having mood swings at 4pm which of course set off my ocd of worry. Pristiq now at 25 Dr says stop 5 HPT immediately so now I am left with low mood and high anxiety and feel trapped – any suggestions will be appreciated
Carol
My book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” (on Amazon here http://amzn.to/2kptFWm) covers all the dietary changes and will provide foundational information. This article covers my approach for medication tapers – feel free to share with your doctor http://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/taper-from-antidepressant-tryptophan-amino-acids/
I do have a waiting list for one-on-one consulting https://www.everywomanover29.com/services.html
Thank you Trudy, I have bought your book, read it and I am implementing the dietary changes. Great book, I scored l5 on the Pyrroles test, so I ordered the test, my body is screaming at me because it is missing the multi vitamin and B -vitamins. I am feeling very run down right now.
I joined your waiting list quite a few months ago and I am in hope you will take on new patients. meaning me. Quick Question Trudy, and thank you for your patience, is the reason in your book having someone take 5-Hpt late afternoon and then late evening to reduce mood swings and keep a stable dosage, Can you comment on this from your experience. Thank you Trudy, your input is appreciated
Dear Trudy,
Thanks for an amazing webinar, I just loved it!. The part where you can take Tryptophan as for sugar craving and low serotonin caught my attention. I bought some yesterday and took one.. After a few minutes I got a weird feeling in my head. But the sugar cravings went away after few minutes. I have to say that I also take antidepressive. But I know I have to keep them away at least 6 hours from each other. So I take Tryptophan in the morning and antidepressive before bedtime.
I’m not sure if the weird feeling in my head is ok or not. So I read about Tryptophan on the internet on this side: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-326-l-tryptophan.aspx?activeingredientid=326&activeingredientname=l-tryptophan
There are some serious side effects and it says its unsafe to take by mouth.
It didn’t help me at all, I got more worried.
Can you please guide me? im not sure if it’s good or bad for me this odd feeling. Could i be doing it wrong?
Best regards
Sogol – Denmark
Sogol
Too much of any of the amino acids can cause weird symptoms. How to use the amino acids is described in great detail in the amino acid chapter in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” (here on Amazon http://amzn.to/2kptFWm). I recommend everyone read this chapter carefully BEFORE starting on any amino acids. The rest of the book helps people address many of the root causes of anxiety and cravings. My clients share it with their doctors too
I also only recommend Lidtke tryptophan because of it’s quality
My naturopath has “prescribed” glycine for sugar cravings but told me to get on this forum to ask about dosage, when to take etc
Heather
It’s best to have your ND make this recommendation. I do have success with GABA, ttryptophan/5-HTP, glutamine and DPA for sugar cravings. More here – The individual amino acids glutamine, GABA, tryptophan (or 5-HTP), DPA and tyrosine are powerful for eliminating sugar cravings, often within 5 minutes https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-individual-amino-acids-glutamine-gaba-tryptophan-or-5-htp-dpa-and-tyrosine-are-powerful-for-eliminating-sugar-cravings-often-within-5-minutes/
Since you’re new to the amino acids, my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” has an entire chapter on the aminos with detailed info on doses and times. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ I also cover all the nutritional aspects for helping to ease anxiety and stop sugar cravings.