I had a friend who heard about cinnamon being a hallucinogen and decided it was a good idea to eat a spoon-full.

Ever put to much cinnamon on your coffee? You almost get a gag reflex...

Lets just say the story ends with my friend in the sink for 10 min.

I make my living as a computer programmer and every time I go to a continuing education class or have to work on an especially difficult part of a project I crave and EAT brownies, chocolate, donuts, whatever I can get my hands on that has sugar; and the combination of sugar and chocolate seems to be even more desirable.  It has been clear to me for years that when I'm learning something my brain wants me to consume a ton of sweet stuff. And that's a big part of my job, most projects involves some kind of learning process.  I've maintained a steady healthy weight since I reached my fundamental weight goals two years ago, but my job makes it very hard to reach my secondary goal, which is really a glamour goal; that last five pounds.  It's VERY hard to get my job done when I cut out the sugars that are keeping me from losing it. 

So I would say yes, definitely, my experience is aligned with the stuff that Dr Wenk is talking about in his book.  I will pick it up and see what I can learn (oh no... more brownies).

I have always thought that watermelon makes me feel fantastic, almost euphoric.  Pretty healthy drug I would think.

I've just started the calorie count.  I sit, a lot, for work and school, and eat too much sugar.  Hopefully, I can switch to carrots, and rice cakes

This is a past blog on the topic, Addicted to Sugar.  It is definitely shown to happen in lab rats.  Stay tuned....

I put cinnamon and nutmeg on my food every day. Hm. I must be addicted. I know spices usually carry some health benefits, so I think I'll keep doing it. I can stop -- whenever -- I want!!! (Struggling to put down the giant cinnamon shaker hovering over my bowl of oatmeal)...

Spices such as cinnamon, turmeric and cayenne do have health benefits, but they are a type of food that we normally eat in small amounts only, or they can have less desirable effects! Since spices are usually strong-tasting, it is not difficult to use them sparingly.

Turmeric for Health  

Cinnamon Ideas

Regardless of the comparison made here between drugs and food, and I agree that it may be a valid one, I would rather eat real, whole foods to stay healthy than take pills of any kind!

For me, coffee is a MUST in the mornings.... I can't have a day without it... 

If I do not drink coffee at breakfast, I will have migraine for sure at the end of the day, not to say that I will feel sleepy and like "low battery" the whole day!

Have you identified any foods that affect your thoughts and feelings?

There are a few foods that I know my body doesn't like. Corn, wheat, dairy... When I eat to much of these foods I can tell my mood is affected. I have mood swings, more down days, and when my belly feels yucky from eating these things, of course my brain isn't as happy either.

I don't think very many people pay attention to how they feel after eating different foods. Our bodies are pretty good at telling us what is and isn't good for them. It's too bad things like sugar are so addicting that we will overlook the effects they have on us.

I totally agree!  If you've ever thought, "I just have to have a___" (could be candy, fries, soda, etc) then you've proved you're a food addict.  Dr. Joel Fuhrman has much to say about food addiction.  Check him out online.

Original Post by: napachick182

Have you identified any foods that affect your thoughts and feelings?

There are a few foods that I know my body doesn't like. Corn, wheat, dairy... When I eat to much of these foods I can tell my mood is affected. I have mood swings, more down days, and when my belly feels yucky from eating these things, of course my brain isn't as happy either.

I don't think very many people pay attention to how they feel after eating different foods. Our bodies are pretty good at telling us what is and isn't good for them. It's too bad things like sugar are so addicting that we will overlook the effects they have on us.

 

I completely agree with you, it happened to me when I used to eat full fat dairy, food with a lot of fat and condiments, or too much sugar, I ended the day with my tummy so big and a feeling dizzy, that it seems like I was pregnant again!  and of course, that made me feel depressed.

Now that I am eating healthier, I can feel myself like so light and good!!!

Coffee always makes me really happy. IDK how much of that is due small releases of dopamine and whats due to caffeine and whats due to the nice warming feeling of holding a hot cup, but it always brightens my mood! Other than that, eating a fair amount of sugary or white/processed food makes me crash badly if I eat too much, not a good feeling... feel I'm on a much more even keel when i eat better :)

I have the hardest time giving up regular soda.  I can give it up for months and then I have one and it all starts again.  I guess we're looking at a couple of things here, both the caffeine and the sugar.

Interesting, must be why I get up and have a glass of milk and sometimes a hnadful of almonds when I can't sleep

I read this article twice, and it seems to suggest sugar is necessary for brain function  "requires glucose to operate" ....so if we avoid all sugar, is that not a problem for our brain? Sounds like a reason to relax within reason and eat sugar if we don't overdo it and therefore feel yukky.

Remember that all carbs become sugar once ingested, so whether you eat a piece of whole wheat toast, cucumber chips, pretzels, rice, potatos, pasta, dairy, beans, an apple, chocolate etc... it becomes sugar and we need watch for where it falls on the glycemic index and what we eat it with to know what affect it may have. 

i crave preoteins so i'm always eating a ton of meat, mostly poultry, fish, and venison to avoid saturated fats, especially after working out. i've also heard from other people they'll do the same thing if they havent got enough protein so i think the mind just has a way of lettin you know what it and the body needs

When I eat sugar I sometimes have a bad reaction to it.  I feel dizzy, can't focus or get the correct words to come out of my mouth.  I love, love natural peanutbutter.  When I eat it it seems to make me feel better.

yeahh.... thanks for this article.

HOW MANY people did you get to Google "trippin on Cinnamon" and end up on YouTube's Cinnamon Challenge?? jeez.

I must be immune. I just ate a teaspoon of ground Cinnamon and it didn't phase me. the YouTube people were doing a TABLESPOON, though.

I must like cinnamon?!

How much do u have to eat to hallucinate??

HAHAHA!!!

I used to have migraines.  I have been without incident for several months now that I do not drink coffee, soda, or any diet foods containing aspartame.  Not having these would trigger withdrawals and then insufferable migraines.  It's worth it.  I'm not saying I don't have coffee or caffeine (in dark chocolate) every now and then.  But having it as a staple was not good for my body.  Living a moderate life keeps me content.  

Have you identified any foods that affect your thoughts and feelings?

Good article CC. I have always suspected that certain foods affect my body and mind. Especially protein. For some reason when I am writing a challenging document I need protein and water. I will usually eat a boiled egg or two, tuna, cheese or leftover cold meat with a big glass of water. I get a lot of brain power when I eat protein. Does anyone else experience this?

Yes, I find that I don't feel like my brain is in full gear when my diet has been low in protein. 

The biggest effect I've noticed from eating sugar is that I then want more and more and sweeter and sweeter stuff.  Can't really say it improved any brain or physical functioning but caffeine definitely gives me a boost. 

My son's birthday this past Thursday has resulted in a half uneaten birthday cake on my kitchen counter..  I had one small piece on his birthday and ever since I have been able to think of nothing else!!  The taste of sugar and icing from Thursday was enough to awaken my sweet cravings but so far I've been able to walk away..  I'm one pound from my fist 20 lost and if it weren't for hitting that 20 lb mark that cake wouldn't stand a chance!! 

I eat nuts and eggs every day yet still wake up at 3 am unable to sleep.  I am sure the author will say, the book applies to everyone - unless it doesn't.  They always say in these books that some particular thing is likely to happen then when it doesn't they always qualify that it doesn't apply to everyone.  I think the author is just trying to sell a book with the same old information delivered a different way that is only helpful to those who are ready to be helped and did not really need the book in the first place.

I always feel better when I ate a mango, I don't why, it must have some good influence on my body