Study: Quitting junk food is as tough as going through drug withdrawal

DETROIT – Going on a diet and giving up junk food is never an easy thing to do.

Now there's new research suggesting it may be even harder than you thought.

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The new study says the feelings you have when quitting junk food are similar to those experienced in drug withdrawal.

Researchers found that a high-fat diet can actually cause chemical reactions in the brain leading to stress and withdrawal symptoms when you switch to a healthier diet.

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The study was performed on mice for a period of six weeks.

In a news release, the study's author says the chemicals monitored in the mice are similar to those found in the human brain.

The study is published in the International Journal of obesity.

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