A recent study by Princeton University psychology professor Bart Hoebel suggests that sugar is as addictive as cocaine. Hoebel allowed laboratory rats to binge on sugar for one month. He found that the sugar caused neurochemical changes in the rats’ brains that were the same as those found in people who were addicted to drugs like cocaine. Subsequently, the rats exhibited addiction-related signs such as cravings, withdrawal symptoms and relapses.

So does that mean chocolate candy and nose candy are much of the same? Here are some of the scientific and not-so-scientific similarities between sugar and cocaine.

1. The obvious. They are both white power-like substances.

2. The high. Cocaine and sugar can cause people to feel euphoric and more energetic. They both
increase dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for producing pleasurable feelings in the body.

3. The cravings. Cocaine users experience powerful cravings for the drug and the Princeton University study shows that those same types of cravings occur in rats who are allowed to binge on sugar.

4. The addiction. Once the body develops a tolerance for cocaine, it needs more and more of the substance in order to achieve the same pleasurable effects. The Princeton study revealed that same phenomenon in the sugar-laden lab rats.

5. The withdrawal. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms often include anxiety, restlessness and cravings. These same symptoms were exhibited by the Princeton study rats once they were removed from their month-long sugar binge.

6. The Coca-Cola connection. Prior to 1929, Coca-Cola was actually made with small amounts of cocaine. Today, the world’s most popular soft drink is cocaine-free, but has a sugar content of 39 grams per 12oz. serving.

7. The dental issues. Cocaine can cause a host of dental problems including dry mouth, bruxism (teeth grinding), and extremely acidic saliva which can lead to tooth decay and enamel damage. Sugar can cause tooth decay and gum disease

8. The detox. Breaking an addiction to either cocaine or sugar starts the same way – with a detoxification process. The person needs to eliminate the harmful substances from their body.

9. The relapse. Cocaine is so powerfully addictive, that users who quit often revert back to their addiction and become even more hooked than before. After a month of sugar binging, the rats in the Princeton study were deprived of sweets “cold turkey.” When they were allowed to consume sugar again, they did so at a much greater rate.

10. The deadly effects. Cocaine and sugar can both ruin your health. Cocaine is a stimulant that can induce life-threatening convulsions and seizures. As for the sweet stuff, studies attribute refined sugar to many serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypoglycemia, high cholesterol and heart disease.