# How sugar affects the brain

- Institution: TED
- Department: TED-Ed
- Speaker: Nicole Avena
- Year: 2014
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Medicine and health, Psychology and the brain
- Source: [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks/nicole_avena_how_sugar_affects_the_brain)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only, and no changed versions.)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

When you eat something loaded with sugar, your taste buds, your gut and your brain all take notice. This activation of your reward system is not unlike how bodies process addictive substances such as alcohol or nicotine -- an overload of sugar spikes dopamine levels and leaves you craving more. Nicole Avena explains why sweets and treats should be enjoyed in moderation. \[Directed by STK Films, narrated by Michelle Snow, music by Michael Dow\].

## Lectures

1. [How sugar affects the brain](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/ted/nicole_avena_how_sugar_affects_the_brain/9e1a23eef091), 5 min (TED's player)