New research from the University of Guelph's laboratory of behavioral neuroscience suggests a diet high in refined sugars could make children and adults more susceptible to opioid addiction and possible overdose. 

Professor Francesco Leri, Chair of Psychology, is leading the experiments which have shown that chronic exposure to high fructose corn syrup has an impact on both the neural and behavioral responses to oxycodone, resulting in changes likely to affect drug-taking and drug-seeking behavior. They also suggest that a high sugar diet may dampen the reward associated with a given dose of oxycodone, and that this may cause people to consume more of the drug. 

Read the full story about Sugar in the diet may increase risks of opioid addiction [1] by Francesco Leri, Chair of Psychology.