Why am I addicted to Ice Cream?

It’s been a long work day, and you’re at the grocery store doing some last-minute shopping. As you walk through the frozen foods aisle, your eye stumbles across the ice cream section. You stop. Your stomach starts to grumble, your mouth begins to water, and somewhere in your mind you hear a little voice saying, “Gimme!” You can’t help it — you don’t even think twice — you open the door and grab a carton.

Why does this happen? Why is it that even when you’re not hungry you can’t help but crave a scoop of delicious ice cream whenever you see or smell it? The reasons are simple and completely natural. Two words: dopamine and serotonin.

Dopamine – This little brain chemical is responsible for feelings of elation and pleasure. It is a natural mood booster and can be stimulated by exercise, drugs including cocaine and antidepressants, and, yes, even ice cream. As it turns out, foods that are high in sugar, fat, and salt trigger a release of dopamine in the brain, making you feel happy. Your brain then remembers how certain foods made you feel and gives you cravings when said foods are in sight. When you see or smell dopamine triggering foods, like ice cream, your brain screams, “Oh! Happy food. Get it!”

Serotonin – This is another mood booster, but unlike dopamine, which is solely responsible for feelings of elation, serotonin is responsible for aiding in sleep, learning, and overall mood well-being. Serotonin is a hormone found in the digestive track, and when a person undergoes hormonal changes, serotonin levels may drop. Serotonin is highly receptive to carbohydrate-based foods, which could explain your addiction to cookies and brownies; however, it is also receptive to dairy-based products like ice cream. Serotonin levels naturally dip during the winter months, causing a greater appetite for sugary and carb-based foods.

Ice cream helps promote the natural release of both dopamine and serotonin, both of which are crucial mood boosters. Have you had your daily dose?