Addiction to certain substances may result in detrimental consequences over time, as well as contribute to the manifestation of substance use disorder. Substance use disorders are classified using 11 different criteria that are in place by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The severity of substance use disorder ranges based on the symptoms—mild, moderate, and severe. (1) From statistics recently gathered, an estimated 17 percent of people in the United States endorsed a substance use disorder in the year 2022. (1)

In addition to those with a use disorder, there are also those who "use" substances regularly to manage their mood, cope with stress, or simply because they like them. We need to consider the array of substances that people use when evaluating their relative risk. This array can span from substances like heroin and methamphetamines to caffeine and processed foods. No matter what the substance, the severity of the addiction needs to be considered. (1) Some widely-used substances, like ultra-processed foods or heroin, have more likelihood of resulting in a severe use disorder than others, like caffeine. It is important to note that the landscape of addiction continues to evolve, and although many substances have addictive potential, the harm caused by these substances is variable. (1)

Experiencing cravings, compulsions, or even addictive behaviors toward substances of nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, and sugar may occur for some individuals after the substance is used. Cravings for these substances result due to the complex interactions between our environment, physiology, and psychology. From a physiological perspective, these substances can trigger the release of dopamine, which promotes feelings of........

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