By Alana Farkas
When was the last time you were able to eat just one Oreo? Is that even humanly possible? Do not be ashamed. Recent scientific studies have suggested a logical explanation for Oreos’ addictive nature.
According to CBS News, Joseph Schroeder, a psychology professor at Connecticut College, conducted an experiment on the addictive nature of Oreos. Schroeder offered lab rats samples of Oreos and studied the effects of the cookie on their brains.
Schroeder said, “We found that the behavior [the rats] exhibited was equally strong for Oreo cookies as it was for cocaine or morphine.” According to Schroeder, the Oreo cookies activated the same reward center in the rats’ brains that is stimulated by addictive drugs.
This research provides an explanation for why people struggle to stay away from foods they know are “bad” for them. Junior Emily Baklajian said, “Sometimes I’m not even hungry, but I keep eating Oreos.”
Schroeder’s experiment confirmed the hypothesis that foods high in fat and sugar are, in fact, addictive. The brain interprets the taste of Oreos, as well as various other fatty and sugary products, as “pleasure,” leading to an intense desire for more of the food.
This neurological response to fatty foods parallels the same addictive potential as drugs. “Milk’s favorite cookie” seems to be the “brain’s favorite cookie” as well.