Professor of Neurobiology at Université Paris Cité
Key takeaways
For a long time, it was thought that triglycerides (large lipids) did not cross the barrier protecting the brain, unlike glucose.
But a 2020 study challenges this idea: lipids may influence our reward system.
In particular, this study reveals an important link between triglycerides and an enzyme (lipoprotein lipase), as well as the impact of lipids on our food management.
Lipids, like sugars, may play a key role in disrupting our food-related reward circuit.
Food addiction remains different from drug addiction: it involves several organs and systems, while drugs mainly target the nervous system.
Addictions are widespread among the French population: in 2020, 25.5% of adults smoked every day and 10% drank at least one glass of alcohol a day.
Addiction is based on criteria such as craving, continued consumption despite the dangers, or a withdrawal syndrome when the substance is stopped.
In France, the most commonly used addictive substances are tobacco (responsible for 75,000 deaths a year), alcohol (41,000 deaths a year) and cannabis.
There has been a marked increase in the use of psychostimulant drugs among adults since 2010, and diversion of opiate-based medicines is on the rise.
Current research is focusing on studies specifically dedicated to drug users, to better identify effective therapies tailored to their profiles.
A report submitted to the French President in 2024 highlights the delay in public policies to regulate the use of screens by young people.
To date, prolonged use of screens is not officially recognised as addictive, partly because of the wide range of practices it encompasses.
A child left alone in front of the television can develop language problems, whereas watching television with an adult has positive effects on language development.
The main harmful effect of screens is their impact on sleep, which can lead to health problems such as cardiovascular disease and depression.
Co-viewing and supervising young people’s use of screens is essential, particularly to protect them from inappropriate content on the Internet.
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