Gluten is a Drug

Independent of the brain effects already discussed, gliadin peptides may travel through the blood stream can stimulate opiate receptors in the brain resulting in their being termed gliadorphins. The effects of this stimulation may have wide-ranging psychiatric manifestations, not the least of which is the addictive potential of these foods. Those eating high gluten diets can expect to undergo 1-3 weeks of withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. This type of a relationship with a food raises flags for this psychiatrist!