COMMENTS: It's food, but it's a natural reinforcer, like sexual stimuli. This research demonstrates once again that binge patterns with natural reinforcers alter the reward/motivation pathways. Binge patterns in food and gambling have been shown to lower dopamine (D2) receptors. The numbed pleasure response. This leads to a craving for more dopamine stimulating stuff - sex, drugs, and rock & roll. However, this study measures sensitization of dopamine pathways. Sensitization means - an above normal release of dopamine in response to stimuli.