In this webinar, Dr. Nicole Avena explains how foods high in sugar and fat can trigger addictive behaviors in the brain. She challenges the traditional view that obesity stems solely from personal choices or lack of willpower, arguing instead that the modern food environment—dominated by highly processed, sugar-rich products—activates the brain’s reward system in ways similar to addictive substances like alcohol and drugs. Drawing on recent advances in addiction science, the discussion shows how behaviors like overeating are now recognized as legitimate forms of addiction, with sugar’s neurological impact rivaling that of more conventional vices.

Webinar with Nicole Avena