You’ve probably seen the clips. A woman sits on her couch, casually peeling back the foam from a mattress and eating it like it’s a gourmet snack. Or maybe it’s the guy who can’t stop sniffing gasoline, or the woman who spends her grocery budget on high-quality toilet paper—not to use, but to chew. It’s easy to watch these shows and think it’s all for the cameras. Is it just reality TV theatrics? Honestly, the question is my strange addiction real is something doctors and psychologists have been quietly dissecting for decades, long before TLC turned it into a water-cooler sensation.
It is real. But it isn't always an "addiction" in the way we talk about heroin or gambling.
When we talk about these "strange" behaviors, we're usually looking at a complex intersection of Pica, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and sensory processing issues. It’s not just "quirky." For the person living it, it’s often a source of intense shame and physical danger. Imagine the internal battle of knowing that eating drywall could lead to a bowel obstruction, yet feeling a physical "itch" in your brain that only the crunch of plaster can scratch. That's the reality.
The Reality of Pica: It's Not Just for Kids
Most of the physical "addictions" featured on TV fall under the medical diagnosis of Pica. This is a real, documented eating disorder where people crave non-nutritive substances. We aren't talking about a one-time dare. We're talking about a persistent, month-long (or years-long) drive to consume things like dirt, clay, ice, hair, or metal.
Wait, why does this happen?
Sometimes it’s a biological SOS. Dr. Edward J. Eberle and other researchers have noted a strong link between Pica and iron-deficiency anemia. If your body is starving for minerals, your brain's wiring gets a little haywire. It starts signaling that "crunchy" or "earthy" things might have what you need. While eating dirt won't actually fix a zinc deficiency, the brain doesn't always know that. It just knows it wants that specific texture.
But it’s not always about vitamins. For many, it’s a sensory regulation tool.
Think about how some people chew on pens when they're stressed. Now, dial that up to eleven. For someone with a "strange addiction" to smelling bleach or eating laundry detergent, the chemical hit or the specific tactile sensation provides a grounding effect. It calms a chaotic nervous system. It’s a maladaptive coping mechanism. It works for a second, then it causes a problem.
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Is My Strange Addiction Real or Just OCD?
If you find yourself wondering if your own weird habit is a true addiction, you have to look at the "why."
True addiction usually involves the dopamine reward system. You do the thing, you get a rush, and you need more to get that same high. But many "strange addictions" are actually compulsions. In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, the behavior isn't about "liking" the act. It’s about relieving the crushing anxiety of not doing it.
Take the case of people addicted to tanning or "tanorexia." It was featured on the show, and while it looks like vanity, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that UV light actually releases endorphins in the skin. When those frequent tanners stopped, they showed actual withdrawal symptoms. So, in that specific case, the "strange" habit was a literal physiological dependency.
However, if you're the person who needs to pull out your hair (Trichotillomania) or pick at your skin (Dermatillomania), that's often classified under the OCD umbrella. It’s a repetitive, body-focused behavior. It feels like an addiction because you can't stop, but the neurological pathway is slightly different.
The Danger of the "Reality TV" Label
The problem with shows like My Strange Addiction is the spectacle. It makes it look like these people are just "weirdos" who found a hobby. It ignores the gut-wrenching health risks.
Eating cornstarch might seem harmless compared to eating glass, but it’s a massive load of pure carbohydrate that can skyrocket blood sugar and lead to significant weight gain and dental decay. Eating foam or hair? That leads to "bezoars"—massive clumps of indigestible material that get stuck in the stomach or intestines and often require surgery to remove.
Let's be real: people don't choose to eat their husband's ashes because they want to be on TV. That is a manifestation of extreme, complicated grief. It's a psychological break where the person is trying to literally "incorporate" their lost loved one back into their life. It’s heartbreaking, not entertaining.
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How to Tell if a Habit is Becoming a Medical Issue
Maybe you don't eat drywall. Maybe you just have a thing for smelling new tires or you can't stop buying a specific type of vintage doll. Where is the line?
Psychologists generally use the "Four Ds" to determine if a behavior is a clinical problem:
- Deviance: Is it vastly different from societal norms?
- Distress: Does it cause you or others upset?
- Dysfunction: Does it stop you from working, socializing, or living a normal life?
- Danger: Is it physically hurting you?
If your "strange" habit is causing even one of these, it’s moved past a quirk.
Take the "addiction" to drinking blood, for instance. Aside from the obvious social deviance, there's a massive risk of bloodborne pathogens and iron toxicity (hemosiderosis). Your body isn't designed to process that much iron. It’s dangerous. Period.
Breaking the Cycle: What Actually Works?
If you're sitting there thinking, "Okay, my habit is weird, and it’s hurting me," what do you actually do? You don't just "stop." If you could just stop, you would have done it already.
- Get a full blood panel. Seriously. If you’re craving non-food items, check your iron, zinc, and B12 levels. Sometimes, a simple supplement can make the cravings vanish in weeks.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This is the gold standard for compulsions. It helps you identify the "trigger" (I feel stressed) and the "thought" (I need to smell gasoline) and redirects the physical response.
- Harm Reduction. If you can't stop the sensory need, find a safer substitute. If you crave the crunch of ice or rocks, some people find success with frozen "bits" of flavored water or specific types of hard, safe-to-eat candies. It’s not a cure, but it keeps you out of the ER.
- Check for underlying Neurodivergence. Many people with Autism or ADHD have sensory seeking behaviors. What looks like an "addiction" might just be your brain trying to get the sensory input it's starving for.
The Stigma is the Hardest Part
The biggest hurdle for people with these conditions isn't the behavior itself; it's the secrecy. Most people with Pica or strange compulsions go to great lengths to hide it. They eat their "stuff" in the bathroom or late at night. They lie to their dentists about why their teeth are worn down.
The reality is that the brain is a weird, plastic organ. It can get "stuck" on a specific loop. Whether it's the texture of a makeup sponge or the smell of a mothball, these are just signals that have gone cross-wired.
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What We've Learned from Clinical Cases
Looking at data from the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), Pica is more common than people think, but it's vastly underreported. In some cultures, eating certain types of clay (geophagy) is actually a traditional practice, often tied to pregnancy. This complicates the "is it real" question because, in those contexts, it's a cultural norm, not a pathology.
But when it's an isolated behavior that causes someone to alienate their family or risk their life, it's a clinical disorder.
The human brain has a "reward" center called the nucleus accumbens. When you do something that feels "good" or "right"—even if it's objectively gross to someone else—this area floods with dopamine. Over time, the brain builds a pathway. The more you do it, the deeper the groove in the road. Eventually, you're not driving the car anymore; the car is just following the groove.
Moving Forward With a Plan
If you're struggling, the first step is dropping the "strange" label. It’s a behavior. It has a cause. It has a solution.
Stop watching the sensationalized clips. They are designed to make you feel "other." Instead, look for resources on Pica or OCD. Talk to a doctor—not a "reality TV" producer. You'd be surprised how many physicians have seen this before. You aren't the first person to crave something odd, and you won't be the last.
Actionable Steps for Managing Compulsive Habits:
- Track the Triggers: For the next three days, write down exactly what happened right before the craving hit. Were you bored? Angry? Exhausted?
- Physical Substitution: If it’s a mouth-feel craving, try high-sensory foods like extreme sour candy, frozen grapes, or very crunchy radishes.
- Professional Consultation: Book an appointment specifically to discuss "disordered eating habits" or "compulsive behaviors." Use those terms. They get you to the right specialist faster than saying "I have a strange addiction."
- Safe Disclosure: Tell one person you trust. The power of these habits often lies in the shame of the secret. Once the secret is out, the "addiction" loses some of its grip.
The bottom line? It’s real. It’s a medical and psychological phenomenon that deserves treatment, not a laugh track. Whether it's a mineral deficiency or a deep-seated anxiety response, your brain is trying to tell you something. It's time to listen to the message without the "strange" baggage.
If you suspect your habit is physically damaging your body, go to an urgent care or your GP immediately. Do not wait for a "sign" to stop. Internal damage from non-food items can be silent until it's a life-threatening emergency. Take the first step today by identifying the physical or emotional need your habit is trying to fill. Changing the behavior starts with understanding the "why" behind the "what."