Our sense of self that can overcome food addiction is in the brain's cortical midline

Food addiction is associated with dopamine and natural opioids in the emotion center of the brain, the limbic system.  Tested therapeutic methods for overcoming addiction (such as 12-step facilitation therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy) show that the key component to lasting success is a change in self-perception, meaning the development of a better self-image.  Positive feelings (about ourselves or anything else) lead to dopamine and opioid release, reducing our need for food to carry out that function.  This raises the question of how to address our self-perception to overcome food (such as sugar) addiction.  A first step is to scientifically define the “self” so we can figure out what parts of the brain are involved and how they interact with limbic system, where addiction resides.

There are 3 main types of self that are represented in our brain*.  First, we have a proto- or physical self, made up of sensory perception and motor control.  This is a rudimentary self that takes information from and interacts with the environment.  It does not require consciousness.  Our proto-self resides in the sensory and motor cortex, which runs from our left ear to our right ear in an arch along the outer part of our brain.  Second, we have a core or mental self, which fundamentally determines who we are, meaning what is and is not a part of us.  Our core self distinguishes unknown things from the house we grew up in, friends and family, and seeing ourselves (such as in a picture).  Our core self resides in the cortical midline structures, running from the front straight through to the back of our brain, and has strong connections with the limbic system.  We also have a narrative self that resides on the left and right sides of our frontal lobes (under the temples) where we have higher-order intellectual thought relevant to ourselves.  The narrative self also has strong connections to the limbic system. 

Clyde’s Thoughts:  Our proto- or physical self follows the laws of cause and effect in the more classical sense, interacting with the limbic system only through the thalamus where emotions help regulate perception of things external to the mind.  Our narrative self includes our conscious deliberations about what we want to do and how badly we think we want to do those things, which is our willpower.  Addiction can overcome even the strongest of willpowers, so this cannot be the only target.  Our core self reacts emotionally to distinguish what is part of our self and what is not.  The strong emotional component makes the core self the target for overcoming addiction.

Clyde’s Advice:  If your willpower is enough to overcome a food addiction, target your self-image by thinking about what contributes to and what takes away from how you see yourself.  Trauma and social isolation are two of the main things that can take away from a positive sense of self.  Addressing any such issues will directly address the limbic system where addiction resides.  Scientific studies show that all credible types of addiction therapy are equally effective, probably because they all share the common element of raising self-image.

The Bottom Line:  Eating better is not just about knowing what is healthy and having a strong willpower to follow through, because addiction can overcome both of these advantages.  To fight fire with fire, overcome addiction by achieving dopamine and opioid release from having a higher self-image.  Raising self-image generally means addressing issues of past trauma and/or feelings of isolation.

*References: 

“Self-referential processing in our brain—A meta-analysis of imaging studies on the self”, Northoff G et al., NeuroImage 31 2006 440. Research paper quality score: A

“Psychopathology and pathophysiology of the self in depression—Neuropsychiatric hypothesis”, Northoff G, J Affective Disorders 104 2007 1. Research paper quality score: C

Comments

[CAPlastic Surgeon]

Getting a handle on a food addiction is just as difficult as stopping heroin. Actually, it may be harder because heroin addicts aren't usually surrounded by cupboards full of their drug of choice. If you are strong enough to beat the addiction then good for you and keep up the good work!

[elsie]

"If your willpower is enough to overcome a food addiction" -- addiction can not be overcome by willpower alone. That's the nature of addiction. I've always had a strong sense of self, and it was completely overtaken by my addiction to sugar and refined carbohydrates. No amount of willpower could undo that. But once I found Radiant Recovery and started working that program, and my brain chemistry equalized, then and only then could I overcome my addictions and let my true self shine through. Willpower was neither required nor relevant.

[Katherine Cobb]

I spent YEARS working on my self and self-image, but it never stopped my sugar addiction. It wasn't until I discovered that I had something called "sugar sensitivity" that I began to heal — and heal quickly. In a short time, all of the things I thought were wrong with me were gone, including those self-image issues. Sugar sensitivity is biochemical. It is an inherited disorder that affects blood sugar, beta endorphins and serotonin levels. Unless you know you have this, you would likely not be taking the simple nutritional steps to combat it, and keep your levels steady, and so you remain addicted to sugar, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, and many other things. And here's the thing: I knew I was smart, capable and healthy. I could never understand how these substances could take over my life as they did. When I found her books, I knew I'd found the answer. As a result, I am now living the life I always thought I should be. I urge you to find out more by visiting the website of the person who defined sugar sensitivity: Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D., at www.radiantrecovery.com. She has helped countless people to date.

[Voice Of Fashion]

Great post, thanks for sharing! Keep up the great work!!