regulated on an as-needed basis. Three structures in the brain—the nucleus accumbens, prefrontal lobe, and ventral tegmental area (VTA)—in concert with the neurotransmitter dopamine (a naturally occurring chemical) are involved with the pleasure center of the brain. This reward center is activated when dopamine is released into nerve cells and the pathways project directly into these structures (Norden, 2007b). The feelings associated with the rush of dopamine serve as a motivation to repeat the behavior. Just think about the last time you were really hungry or thirsty. More than likely you were highly motivated to satisfy your desire and quench these cravings. This is the normal ebb and flow occurring in the body. However, in addictions the release of dopamine to the pleasure center is so intense that individuals are driven to repeat the behavior, because of this powerful rush.
The most compelling studies that support this phenomenon began back in 1954 with James Olds and Peter Milner, two brain researchers who inadvertently discovered the pleasure center. They were experimenting with laboratory rats in which they implanted electrodes into the rats’ brains to give them brief electrical shocks. They wanted to see if these rats would learn to avoid certain areas in their cages when an electrical shock was administered. To their surprise, the shocks did not produce a negative response; in fact they reinforced the behavior. The rats were drawn to the shock. Up to this point the researchers had administered the shocks, but they then placed levers in the cage and the rats learned that they could press the levers and receive the same shock. To the researchers’ surprise, the rats began pressing the levers at high rates to obtain a brief stimulation to the brain.
Michael Bozarth, a professor of psychology, comments on this behavior in his article “Pleasure Systems in the Brain”:
Laboratory animals will lever press at high rates (> 6,000 times per hour) to obtain brief stimulation pulses to certain brain regions. The reinforcement from direct electrical activation of this reward substrate is more potent than other rewards, such as food or water. The potency of this electrical stimulation is most dramatically illustrated in a classic experiment where the subjects suffered self-imposed starvation when forced to make a choice between obtaining food and water or electrical brain stimulation (Routtenberg & Lindy, 1965). (Bozarth, 1994; “Pleasure Center,” 2010)
Olds and Milner had discovered the brain’s reward center. The electrodes had been placed in the regions of the brain that cause pleasure, and with this stimulus a rush of dopamine supplied intense feelings of ecstasy. This is why drug addicts will lie, steal, and even sell their children to get that next high. It’s why the obsessive gambler will chance losing everything—home, savings, and family. It’s why the sex-addicted personality will throw caution to the wind and live with the possible consequences of a sexually transmitted disease, destroyed marriage and career, even financial ruin.
Subtle Forms of Hijacking
Emotional hijackings come in a variety of forms. Not all are the wham! bam! addictive dopamine-generated releasing rushes. Some take the long circuitous route; however, the results are the same: you’ve been hijacked. To the unsuspecting consumer these routes appear to be innocuous and come in the insidious forms of entertainment or food. When it comes to the making of a food addict, the calorie-dense, nutrient-deficient foods are the drawing cards.
They are the “Have It Your Way,” “Super Size Me,” “Mickey D’s,” and the like, fast food chains. These high-fat, sweet, fructose-laden, refined foods alter brain chemistry and keep us coming back for more. A few other foods to add to the list may surprise you: caffeine, tea, milk, cheese, and chocolate. These foods have an overpowering drug-like effect on the body. They stimulate the release of naturally occurring chemicals called opioids (Spurlock, 2004; Gislason, n.d.).
Opioids or opiates are neurotransmitters produced by the brain in response to pain and behave similarly to the drugs morphine, codeine, and heroin; and like an addict you are hooked (Pert, 1997). If you don’t believe me, try it; try giving up the most widely self-administered mind-altering drug in the world—coffee. Go on a little experience of abstinence for a day or two. I’m sure you will soon become a believer.
The article “Is Junk Food Addictive?” examined studies done by Bart G. Hoebel, a neuroscientist at Princeton University, in which he studied rats with induced sugar addictions. He observed the following:
Rats were used and were gradually fed a diet with increasing amounts of sugar. The more sugar given, the quicker the rats ate it and when it was suddenly withdrawn from their food, they experienced “addiction-type” reactions, such as chattering teeth, anxiety and shaking. (Newcombe, 2003)
Similar studies were done by Ann Kelly, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin; however, she fed her rats a high-fat diet. She was able to identify changes in brain chemistry using PET Scans. These rats also exhibited behaviors similar to humans using heroin and nicotine (Newcombe, 2003).
Addictions: What Drives the Engine?
What are the driving forces behind addictions? What are the root causes? We have looked at the biochemistry and physical structures involved and have seen the intense psychosocial pull, but why do we allow ourselves to be hijacked? I say we, because I, like millions of Americans, have also been hijacked. My addiction, not by choice but by what I believe is a genetic predisposition, is compulsive overeating (a subject discussed in detail in chapter nine). Compulsive overeating is a disorder that affects an estimated eight million Americans (Hudson, Hiripi, Pope, & Kessler, 2007; Howard, 2006).
In my case it was not about eating, but what was eating me, and so it is with most addicts. Addictions do not come out of a vacuum; they are the result of the interaction between genes and environment. Scripture reminds us that the sins of the fathers are passed down to their children. Because of sin our DNA has mutations. The study of genetics, our biological inheritance, bears out that genes are passed down from parent to child. however, many genes are silent and will remain this way unless they are given the right environment to find expression (Numbers 14:18, NIV; Sadava, 2008). Therefore, the root causes of many addictions are driven by negative experiences—experiences that are carried on the nerve cells. They are thoughts and emotions from previous memories.
For many individuals, stored memories contain deep emotional pain. This pain comes in many forms, and we need not look far to see and feel the wounds. Emotional pain comes from early childhood trauma such as bullying, sexual abuse, witnessing domestic violence, alcoholic parents, abandonment issues, harsh critical parenting, and the list goes on. Remember, our thoughts produce emotions and our emotions drive behavior. In the presence of these adverse experiences, addictions serve as a form of self-preservation. By nature we are drawn to pleasure and away from pain, regardless of the consequences. Maladaptive behaviors (such as those seen in Tiger Woods, my compulsive eating disorder, and the many other forms of addiction) provide a numbing effect for emotional wounds. however, this temporary pleasure soon wears off and often leaves a sense of guilt and shame, which once again reinforces the behavior.
So how do we get out of this loop? In chapter 12, “Battle for the Mind,” I address the internal battle that wages within the mind. (The chapter focuses on how to be Spirit-led and provides tools essential to tearing down strongholds that have their origin in the mind.) In addition, throughout this book, you will find many health principles relating to the mind and body. When the mind and body are in sync, correct passions will follow, and the body will become servant to the mind and not the mind to the body.
But What Can We Do Right Now?
First and foremost, we must come to grips with the fact that we have addictions. There is something inherently freeing in coming face to face with the truth; it begins the process of freedom.
Secondly, we must truly desire change and realize that even though we have been hijacked, we are still responsible for our behavior. Responsibility involves seeking treatment and requires the same level of
