This Is Why You're A Fat Junkie Rat

A new study shows that fast food consumption triggers the same kind of addictive behavior seen in cocaine and heroin users. Science fed a bunch of rats an unlimited amount of foods high in fat and calories, and the rats could not get enough. But why? Scripps Research Associate Professor Paul J. Kenny explains:

The new study, unlike our preliminary abstract, explains what happens in the brain of these animals when they have easy access to high-calorie, high-fat food. It presents the most thorough and compelling evidence that drug addiction and obesity are based on the same underlying neurobiological mechanisms. In the study, the animals completely lost control over their eating behavior, the primary hallmark of addiction. They continued to overeat even when they anticipated receiving electric shocks, highlighting just how motivated they were to consume the palatable food.

In fact, they would not quit. “When we removed the junk food and tried to put them on a nutritious diet — what we called the ‘salad bar option’ — they simply refused to eat,” says Kenny. “The change in their diet preference was so great that they basically starved themselves for two weeks after they were cut off from junk food.”

It’s all got something to do with dopamine receptors, apparently. But let’s be honest, if you’re going to give me unfettered access to blow, smack, or anything off the dollar menu I am not ever going to be like, “Okay, I’ll have some mixed greens now.” I suddenly want to be a rat.