How to Quit Sugar | Sugar & Carb Withdrawals: How to Beat Sugar Addiction

How to Quit Sugar | Sugar & Carb Withdrawals: How to Beat Sugar Addiction-
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that over 14% of our daily energy here in America is coming from sugar. Not carbohydrates, but straight up sugar. That's pretty darn severe. So in this video, not only do I want to give you the breakdown of what happens with the sugar withdrawal. I want to help you understand what you can do to help expedite the detoxification process from sugar. Because although some people will tell you that you can't detox from sugar, the fact is, your body has a natural detoxification process when it comes down to coming off of sugar.

But before I do that, I have to give you an understanding of what's actually happening in the body. Because most people think sugar's just bad because it's a carbohydrate. No. Carbohydrates aren't bad. This is way beyond that. You see, we have a specific area of our brain. It's called the nucleus accumbens. This nucleus accumbens actually receives the sugar and produces dopamine. Have you ever heard of dopamine before? What dopamine is is the neurotransmitter that is related to our pleasure and our reward senses. So when someone compliments you or when you do something that feels good, you have a surge of dopamine. It helps you feel like you've accomplished something. Now, on that same note, it's the same kind of thing that happens when you do a recreational drug. For instance a drug that's going to trigger your dopamine receptors is going to make you feel really good. It's going to make you feel very elated and energetic. And that's exactly why you get addicted to it because you get addicted to that feeling.

But believe it or not, sugar acts on the exact same portion of the brain and has the same dopaminergic response as a lot of different various drugs do. You see, what it does is it ends up down regulating that portion of your brain. So it down regulates dopamine production. So you know how if you were to drink say alcohol. And you were to get accustomed to it. You would need more and more and more in order to ultimately have the same desired outcome. The same thing happens with sugar. A lot of times we just don't realize it. We hear about blood sugar rises and falls, but what really matters is how it's affecting our brain, how it's affecting how we feel. So when we have a down regulation of dopamine, it means that we need a lot more to get the same feel good effect that we get from sugar that we subconsciously feel. So what it does is it actually increases the amount of D1 receptors, dopamine one receptors and decreases the amount of dopamine two receptors.

So what this means is the brain actually changes. The genetic structure of the mid-brain changes to allow more sugar, to allow more potential dopamine. But the D2 receptors make it so that we actually don't produce more dopamine. So our brain changes to accept more, but produce less. And also decreases dopamine transporters. These dopamine transporters pick up dopamine that hasn't been used and recycle it back to the mid-brain in order to be used again, so that we're never wasting dopamine. The best analogy that I can give you is like recycling. It's recycling dopamine. But in this case, the recycling man doesn't come and pick up the garbage. So it's like you recycle all these boxes, you recycle all this plastic, you put it in the bin, you put it on the side of the street, and then the garbage man never comes and picks up your recycling. So it just builds and builds and builds and builds. You're not actually having the recycling of the dopamine that you would ordinarily want.

So we have to understand how can we combat sugar withdrawal knowing this?

References:

[ThePeacemaker]

And I bet Sugar is actually a big cause of depression.

[azzazz]

I can tell you, I've been sugar free for almost two months and the withdrawals are from another planet

[kawaiipinz]

Been clean eating since July following keto and intermittent fasting. Was offered a Twix yesterday. Tried it, and brain said I don't recognize this garbage. Eating strawberries this morning and my brain's telling me 'oh ya that's the good stuff.' So happy I've followed your tips and retrained my brain and gut. 25 pounds down, 60 to go...

[Theeyedk]

The first 5 days were the worst! Muscles felt shaky and weak, even just walking...it felt like my legs were too weak to hold myself up. Literally dry heaving over a garbage can the morning of day 5. Nothing came out except tears and snot. I will never forget that day...I could tell that my body was Mad at me. I had watched enough videos to know what was happening tho, and by day 7, I felt fine. I'm now 6 weeks in, down 12 lbs, and feeling absolutely wonderful. 70 more lbs to go. I can do this!

[shanahaim]

I did detox before watching this video and spot on- I was so bloated after the first day.. second day withdrawals I felt like a drug addict..couldn’t sleep felt so nervous and restless..mild can be so addictive

[lincoln]

Actually, sugar takes my energy it doesn't give me energy.

[CliffordStarks]

It truly is crazy how addicting it can really be!

[djyoungbull]

My mom has never smoked or drank a day in her life, she’s addicted to sugar.

[HungryTrashPanda]

Second day without sugar and I want to pull out my brain and beat it on the counter. This headache is insane.

[chocolate]

I literally feel like I'm dying when I stop sugars, it's frustrating

[awsumocoolbeans]

It’s been almost a week and my headaches are killing me! But I’m not gonna give up lol.

[royalkandake]

I have also started with my sugar detox, I am on day 2 wish me luch

[rrfirefly]

Two weeks of hell to get to the good life. That is an eternity for most people, especially Americans who are tempted by sugar products everywhere.

[Cleancutchaos]

A few years ago I would be drooling over all the crap you are holding in the thumbnail. Today it just does nothing for me and I couldn't be happier.

[jine]

4 days of no sugar and low carb diet with not much gluten and I am soooo anxious, I'm almost getting panic attacks..! It feels like there is metal wool inside my skull

[bugeyes]

I use to find it really hard to break sugar. But after the first week of cravings and withdrawal I generally feel much better and it only gets easier from there :) I once went about 6 months without and sugar or carbs. Overall would recommend.

[LaLa-ypdk]

I made it two weeks and fell off...I’m at week two again and feeling stronger this time. Very very hard struggle✌️

[GoodVibesOnly]

Man, after being a very holistic and healthy person for 10yrs, although with a little sugar addiction on the side and finally quitting 3 weeks ago, the stuff about dopamine he mentions is no joke. Dealing with intense brain fog still, after weeks. Hopefuly it lifts soon.

[maryshi_]

One week in, going through crazy withdrawal I’ve never felt before. Going to do my best to stick it out!

[paullapworth]

Sugar is a drug for sure and I feel like shit 😝😂 3 days no sugar and very low carb intake 🙄