Sugar and Depression

I am a sugar addict and that isn't a joke. This isn't a laughing matter. I mention this to family members and they laugh. I could go on and on about all the bad health that sugar causes, I will focus on depression.

Is depression caused by eating sugar? Or is it depression making you crave more sugar? I think it is both. Eating sugar leads to wanting to eat more sugar. I can go very long periods of time without eating sugar including fruit and honey in case you wonder (sugar is sugar). Even without having it for a while I still will have those nagging cravings. My brain plays tricks on me and I will start to think of reasons why I need sugar to be healthy. I have to snap out of it and remind myself that my mind is not thinking right and I have to get it back on track.

I read a research report stating that an animal test showed that sugar was eight times more addictive than cocaine or opiates. That is a powerful drug! The dopamine reward system in the brain that cocaine and nicotine have, sugar also has. Face it or not sugar is like drugs.

When I fall off the wagon and start eating a little sugar I find myself completely binge eating a month later on pints of ice cream and entire boxes of sugary cereals in one sitting. Then I sleep all day and feel awful for a few days, then I repeat the process again. Sure enough depression comes on and it comes on hard. My head swells up and my brain is drained of all emotion. I will have zero energy and feel like crawling into a hole to die. Now I know I again have to get away from the sugar and have to go through pure agony to get away from the stuff. It can take me a good two months to nurse my health back to somewhat normal again.

Take away the sugar and withdrawals are brutal. I have overcome alcohol and nicotine and both are no big deal compared to keeping the sugar away. On top of feeling like total crap I have constant stomach pangs and constant thoughts of eating my favorite sugary foods. I even have very intense dreams all night about eating various sugary foods. It has taken me years to learn how to overcome these cravings. My best tool is to think about the consequences. If you don't care then you will easily stay in a very bad place until your health and mind are off so much you might end your life or your body ends it for you.

If you are depressed and have been thinking about ending your life, consider taking careful thought and evaluate sugar in your life. Sugar is a battle to overcome. Take it one step at a time and overcome sugars powerful addiction.