The way we do the things we do

I'm well aware that I am a total nerd. 

Not really in the pocket-protector, thick glasses, high-waist pants sort of way.

More in the science is nifty! sort of way.

A new article published looked at rats' brain chemicals after eating M&Ms.  Those lucky rats.
Researches found that when rats ate the high sugar, high fat candy, an area of their brain called the neostriatum totally lit up with happiness (okay actually serotonin, which makes us happy).

When the researchers gave the rats drugs that magnified the neostriatum, they ate a lot more of the M&Ms.  In fact, they ate the equivalent amount of a 150-pound human eating seven pounds of M&Ms in one hour.

That's 15,811 calories.  

Wouldn't barfing kick in well before that?

The researchers hope that this information might lead to the formation of drugs that work to block the neostriatum, making sugary fatty foods not as happy-inducing.

So long as we're on the topic of sweets, here's a recipe that I tried out this past week.  Make sure you share this with about 20 people, lest you feel like a rat in the study.

Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn
-2 bags peanut butter chips
-1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli semi-sweet)
-6 cups popcorn (I used my air popper but you could do microwave- choose the least buttery option.  The plainer, the better)
-1 container Trader Joe's mini peanut butter cups, or 1 1/2 cups chopped Reese's

1. Using a double boiler, melt the peanut butter chips and pour over the popcorn.  Stir well.  It's going to be weird 'cause you'll hear popcorn being crunched and broken as you stir, but don't worry- the busted pieces will taste just fine.
2. When the popcorn is just about coated, stir in the mini peanut butter cups.
3. Spread out on a baking sheet to let set.
4. Meanwhile in another double boiler, melt chocolate chips and drizzle over popcorn.  Let harden, and break into chunks.

In case you end up eating half the pan, you know what's to blame.