Narcolepsy drugs could help food addicts

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes people to fall asleep at inappropriate times, and now a recent study has found that a drug that is used in the condition may help food addicts lose weight. Recent evidence has shown that obesity is not just caused by a behavioural disorder, but many overweight people are physically addicted to foods rich in fat and sugar. When we consume good tasting food the reward centres in our brain release a chemical called dopamine which is involved in pleasure pathways. Some obese people are deficient in a certain type of dopamine, meaning that they have to eat more in order to release higher amounts of the chemical.

Scientists from the University of Warwick and Imperial College London have found that a drug called Modafinil, which is used in narcolepsy, may help reduce impulsivity and therefore food addiction. They have published their findings in Personality and Individual Differences. Food addicts are known to act impulsively, especially when it comes to choices about their diet. By giving these people more control, they may be able to manage their weight. Many food addicts know that they need to lose weight however, their desire for more food is overwhelming and this can commonly lead to psychological issues. The authors of this study hope that more research will be undertaken in order to better understand the potential uses of Modafinil in food addiction.