Why You Can’t Stop Sugar Cravings—And How to Fix It (Neuroscientist Explains)

The Liz Moody Podcast

Liz Moody

Health & Fitness, Self-improvement, Education, Mental Health

4.8 • 2.9K Ratings

🗓️ 5 November 2025

⏱️ 100 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

If you find yourself constantly craving sugary sweets and desserts—this episode is for you. There’s a reason this is happening (and it's not entirely your fault!) and there are ways to stop your cravings—in the moment and for the long term. I sit down with Dr. Nicole Avena, a neuroscientist and a Princeton and Mount Sinai professor, and one of the world’s leading researchers on sugar addiction, to uncover what sugar is really doing to your brain. We dive deep into the biology of cravings and how the modern food environment is designed to keep you hooked. You’ll learn why “natural” sweeteners might not actually be the solution, and the small changes that work to reduce your sugar intake without going cold turkey. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how sugar impacts your mental and physical health—and the science-backed tools to curb your sweet tooth. 🎧What you’ll learn: Why sugar lights up the same brain pathways as addictive drugs How social media and screen time are increasing your cravings The science of dopamine tone—and how to reset it naturally How to spot hidden sugars in “healthy” foods and labels The step-by-step plan to reduce sugar without feeling deprived 👇Reflect or share: What’s one craving you experience regularly—and how do you think your environment is shaping it? Comment below—I’d love to hear your story! ✨Homework: Swap one sweet breakfast for a savory one this week, and try one tech-free morning. Then notice: How do your energy, focus, and cravings shift? For more from Dr. Nicole Avena: Her Books Her Website Her Instagram Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz’s book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now! Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. Buy our cute sweatshirts, conversation cards, and more at https://shop.lizmoody.com/. Use our discount codes from our highly vetted and tested brand partners by visiting https://www.lizmoody.com/codes. To join The Liz Moody Podcast Club Facebook group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/thelizmoodypodcast. This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors: Pique: head over to PiqueLife.com/LizMoody to get up to 20% Off for life and a complimentary gift. Osmia: go to OsmiaSkincare.com and use code LIZMOODY2025 for 20% off your first order. LMNT: visit DrinkLMNT.com/LizMoody to get a free LMNT sample pack with any order. IQ Bar: text LIZ to 64000 for 20% off all IQBAR products plus FREE shipping. Lumebox: head to TheLumeBox.com/Liz to get 40% off anytime. The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy. Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast. This podcast and website represent the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 379. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	When we started doing these studies, we found that over and over again, sugar was releasing dopamine like a drug would.
0:06.0	Back then, we were starting to hear a lot more about there was an increase in ultra-processed foods, there was more sugar being added to foods,
0:12.0	and so we started this whole discussion around, well, what if the food could be addictive?
0:17.0	We designed a bunch of studies to see what sugar did to the brain. When you line up all the research
0:22.5	studies, and this goes from clinical studies, preclinical studies across the board, all different
0:27.3	areas, it seems that sugar acts more like a drug than a food when you look at the brain.
0:33.2	For people listening who have heard like sugar is addictive as cocaine, that really came from
0:37.2	your research initially, didn't it?
0:39.3	Yeah, it did.
0:40.3	One of the things that we were doing was systematically tests after test after test, just asking the question, can sugar produce this effect that we know drugs can?
0:49.3	Do we see tolerance? Do we see withdrawal? Do we see craving?
0:52.3	With these changes in the brain, we're just making it look like sugar should be lumped in
0:57.8	with these other drugs of abuse.
0:59.8	Hi, I'm Dr. Nicole Levina.
1:01.3	I am a neuroscientist and I have a PhD from Princeton University.
1:04.9	I'm also a professor of neuroscience at Mount Sinai and at Princeton.
1:10.3	You have said that we are born addicted to sugar.
1:12.9	If that is true, do we have any hope?
1:16.2	It's complicated.
1:17.3	We were born to be addicted to sugar for a positive reason.
1:21.5	And that is because in nature, things that taste sweet are typically safe.
1:26.5	And so if you think about it, if you were like, you know,
	...

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