Sugar vs. Cocaine: Which Is Worse for Your Brain?

Sugar creates similar effects to cocaine and heroin in certain parts of the brain. In one study, if given a choice, a lab rat will go after sugar instead of cocaine!

Sugar can alter your hormones and put you in a state of anxiety. It can even cause a mild form of dementia, leading to forgetfulness and memory loss. Sugar affects the hippocampus, which controls memory.

The brain can run on glucose, but too much glucose can eventually hinder absorption. You only need one teaspoon of sugar in your blood at one time, but people consume much more than that!

Excess sugar is stored as fat. Over time, high sugar consumption can lead to insulin resistance, depriving the brain cells of the energy they need. People often consume way more sugar than they know in beverages like juice or due to hidden sugar in the form of starch. A low-carb diet creates the most benefits for your health. It can reverse diabetes in 10 weeks! You’re no longer feeding your brain glucose when you're on a low-carb diet.

A low-carb diet forces the body to mobilize ketones to feed your brain. Once you quit sugar, you’ll notice an improved mood, better concentration and attention, a better ability to learn, improved memory, and brain fog will be gone. Cutting carbs and quitting sugar will leave many people hungry, unsatisfied, and craving certain foods. The solution is to increase protein! Sufficient protein and fat can help eliminate cravings and decrease the desire to snack. There are also plenty of healthy substitutions that can make it easier to quit sugar.

You do not need to consume sugar to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Your liver can create sugar from other food sources.