The fundamental reason that addictive drugs are deadly is that it creates a positive feedback loop, the end of which, sadly, is usually self-destruction. Heroin and other drugs alike, by triggering the brain to release an enormous amount of the hormone called dopamine, creates a pleasurable sensation at an intensity much (some say 10 times) greater than anything that can be obtained through the normal course of life. This high, however, is only temporary and dips quickly, leading to a strong craving. Due to the body’s self-protective mechanism (dopamine receptors down-regulation), users have to take more for even higher amount of dopamine, just to feel the same level of pleasure. This snowballing effect is what leads to the eventual overdose, and the tragedies along the path. This positive feedback loop (one attempt leading to increasingly more consumption) is scientifically proved to be highly difficult to break, attributable to its altering effect on both the neural and hormonal levels. Therefore, such drugs are strictly regulated by governments.
However, some other substances and behaviors in life create a similar positive feedback loop, and there is usually no governmental interventions for the rescue. In the Book <The Salt Fix>, the author DiNicolantonio points out that sugar is such as substance. One of the reasons that I follow a low-carb ketogenic diet is my addiction on carbohydrates. I grew up eating white rice, dumplings and noodles in Beijing. It often happens that even if I already had a lot, I usually could still go for more. Before I changed my way of life, I would go for a big dinner consisting of two bowels of rice, and three stir-fired dishes. After that, when I got home, I would still crave some snacks such as fruits (fruits contain sugar too) and chips, even if my belly was already full. I would eat mindlessly those carb-heavy foods, and call it a day. Scientifically, this behavior is caused by the effect of carbohydrates on blood sugar, and hormones including insulin and dopamine, as well as their inter-relationships.
In details, a carb-heavy meal leads to a sharp increase of blood sugar. And given high blood sugar is toxic to the human body (which is why diabetics need to lower blood sugar), the pancreas release a large dose of insulin, helping push blood glucose into cells so as to lower the blood sugar level. In healthy individuals (insulin sensitive), this bodily function works well. But for me, the dose of insulin would overshoot, leading to, not a normal blood sugar level, but a lower than normal level. This hypoglycemic state would drive me to crave more carbs and the loop starts again. Additionally, carbs have a similar effect on the release of dopamine compared to those addictive drugs. This is why sweets make people feel good. Indeed, in a famous experiment, cocaine addicted mouse actually preferred white sugar over cocaine when they were provided with both. This helps explain the epidemic of obesity in the modern societies. Sugar, in its pure form, has only become widely available to the public in the past century. As humans are genetically wired to search for sweet taste, many of us have become a man-sized sugar-addicted mouse, constantly looking for more sugar to satisfy our cravings.
Fortunately, the sugar caused positive feedback loop can be broken with a lifestyle change, including the switch to a low-carb and healthy fat centric diet. Opposite to sugar, fats create a negative feedback loop. This means that consumption of fats has an automatic brake in its loop, signaling people when to stop. Do not believe me? Try to have any pure fat (like butter or lard) and see how much you can eat. Other non-sugar foods have similar effect, such as broccoli (try snacking on broccoli for hours after dinner) and meat. Salt, unlike sugar, also is a negative feedback loop ingredient and is critical for health (more on this topic in the future).
Apart from the above, we should also be mindful of other damaging positive loop habits, such as constant use of social media and mobile phones. Every click or scroll triggers a release of dopamine, making it highly addictive.
The purpose of this entry is primarily to explain the concept of positive and negative feedback loops and secondarily to advocate for a healthy lifestyle. My belief is that more negative feedback loops create a healthier and more fulfilling life experience. True personal development is inward, like an internally spiraling circle, travelling deeper and deeper. In my view, a self-containing life is more sustainable and internally peaceful to experience.
T.B.C.
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