The idea that cheese can be addictive has some scientific basis, and it primarily centers on how it affects the brain’s reward system. Cheese contains casein, a milk protein that, during digestion, breaks down into compounds called casomorphins. These casomorphins can bind to the same receptors in the brain as opioids—compounds that produce feelings of pleasure and pain relief. Although the effects are much milder than drugs like morphine, this opioid-like activity may contribute to cravings and the comforting, “can’t-stop-eating” feeling that some people report with cheese and other dairy products.
In addition to casomorphins, cheese is also high in fat and salt, two components that naturally stimulate the brain’s reward pathways. This combination creates a hyper-palatable food that can encourage repeated consumption, much like processed junk foods. Studies using MRI scans have shown that highly processed cheese-based foods can activate the same brain regions involved in drug addiction. While not “addictive” in the clinical sense like narcotics or alcohol, cheese can contribute to habit-forming eating patterns, especially when consumed frequently in a processed form (e.g., pizza, nachos, cheese snacks). For individuals trying to reduce dairy or switch to a plant-based diet, this mild dependency can make cheese particularly difficult to give up.