Dopamine Persuasive Speech

Many critics argue that a sugar tax is unfair because it falls under the same category as the “sin” taxes on alcohol and tobacco, implying that sugary beverages are as bad as a drug. However, there is truth behind these claims. For those that are not aware, dopamine is a natural drug that the brain produces to create a feeling of happiness and satisfaction. It is the drug involved in many natural processes such as sex, love, eating, and exercise. Dopamine is also involved in the “high” that cocaine induces by forcing the release of excess dopamine into the brain. Manufacturers have figured out how to turn soda and other products into designer drugs that can exploit this same reward system of dopamine. Junk food is engineered to enslave its customers, leading to an unhealthy diet filled with sugar, fats, and salt (Engber).

Ranging from heart disease to diabetes the consequences of unhealthy eating are well known across the population, yet not much is being done to stop this. According to the World Health Organization, it is projected that by 2030, Diabetes will become the 7th leading cause of death in the world. Why let things spiral out of control and continue postponing a sugar tax? If there is anything that the US government can do is impose this tax. Even if the change is small in comparison to the entire population of the US, these are potential lives being saved. Just like the worst case scenario of smoking is lung cancer, the worst case scenario of obesity is diabetes. Excess sugar should be considered as big of a threat as any other potentially addictive chemical, and should therefore be taxed like one for the safety of the