Binge eaters' dopamine levels spike at sight, smell of food
Monday, February 28, 2011 - 12:31
in Psychology & Sociology
A brain-imaging study reveals a subtle difference between ordinary obese subjects and those who compulsively overeat, or binge: In binge eaters but not ordinary obese subjects, the mere sight or smell of favorite foods triggers a spike in dopamine -- a brain chemical linked to reward and motivation. The findings suggest that this dopamine spike may play a role in triggering compulsive overeating.