A study in the journal Nature Neuroscience evinces that junk food can be as addictive as cocaine or nicotine. This addiction could result in a compelling eating disorder which would result in obesity. The study was published in the journal on Sunday.

The study was conducted on rats and it was found that when rats began overeating high calorie food, they developed addiction like symptoms. It was noticed that the rats turned into compulsive eaters in the laboratory.

The researchers affirm that the findings of the study cannot be straightforwardly applied to humans. However, they are hopeful that the study may help in comprehending the reasons behind obesity and assist in developing remedies to treat it.

During the study scientists found that overweight rats showed reduced levels of a particular dopamine receptor. This receptor is a brain chemical that gives one a feeling of reward. The same phenomenon has also been observed in humans who are addicted to drugs.

Paul Kenny of the Scripps Research Institute in Florida, remarks, "Obesity may be a form of compulsive eating. Other treatments in development for other forms of compulsion, for example drug addiction, may be very useful for the treatment of obesity".