Brown sugar can be very addictive: A major problem with brown sugar is that it can cause massive dopamine release. In the brain, dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter—a chemical released by neurons (nerve cells) to send signals to other nerve cells. The brain includes several distinct dopamine pathways, one of which plays a major role in reward-motivated behavior. Most types of reward increase the level of dopamine in the brain, and sugar, just like most addictive drugs, increase dopamine neuronal activity, leading to addiction, according to studies.
