this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2023
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science

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just science related topics. please contribute

note: clickbait sources/headlines aren't liked generally. I've posted crap sources and later deleted or edit to improve after complaints. whoops, sry

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I thought we had generally agreed that anything can be addictive?

And this link is broken for me. Anyone else?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Yes, but there are different types of addiction. I made this comment on another post, but I’ll put it here too:

There’s a big difference between something being psychologically addictive, and something being chemically addictive.

Like, yea, you can technically get addicted to anything. But there’s a massive difference between getting addicted to, say, working out, and getting addicted to nicotine.

So food being chemically addictive is not something that’s been known for decades, in fact it’s been a common topic of debate.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

okay 'chemically' vs psychologically is the distinction I was looking for, thanks.

Although if we give science enough time maybe they will arrive at the conclusion that its the same mechanism, 'psychologically' addictive just means a dopamine addiction as far as I know. Its still a chemical.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Isn't type 2 diabetes functional evidence of a sugar addiction?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I see what you mean, but it’s still functionally different. Being chemically addicted to nicotine or alcohol isn’t the same process as a diabetic needing sugar.