Addiction

[tammy720]

every so often i get this urge to eat sponge and I've had it for years(since i was small), am I abnormal?

[medicmommy]

Hello. Pica exists in more than children and pregnant women. The most common reports of eating or craving unusual things (like dirt, ice, rock sucking, chalk, hair, chemical smells) usually is based on a chronic mineral or vitamin deficiency but often develops into a mental "comfort" component -much the same as someone who finds pleasure eating chocolate, drinking alcohol, or smoking (Note: nicotine breaks down into nicotinic acid, which partially breaks down into niacin).
Try experimenting with a high fiber food (pineapple cores, whole-wheat bread, etc.) and foods with spongy texture (angel food cake, brown molasses bread, etc.) and see whether the craving is a fiber origin or a texture thing...It may be you have/had a deficiency of some kind, and you mind thinks the sponge texture is the answer...Another thought...If it is natural sponge you crave, you may be deficient in iodine or another mineral found in the sea. Try eating different kinds of seafood (especially crab) as well -ya never know! ~MM

[tammy720]

yeah, ive looked it up and it says this disorder really only happens to small children above two and in pregnancy and im definately not pregant! any other suggestions? i have tried seeing my GP about it and he recommended counselling, which was ok but im still craving it!!

[avisg]

there is a disorde called pica i would look into it I think it would answer alot of questions for you ,