Persistent feelings of hunger can lead to overeating, increasing the risk of metabolic disorders and obesity. But how can we distinguish between true hunger and psychological hunger? In an interview with "Gazeta.Ru," endocrinologist Dr. Yevgenia Baltchenko stated: "Amid stress, there is a desire to 'eat through problems,' especially sweet foods and pastries. This is because sweets stimulate the production of serotonin (the happiness hormone). Consuming fast (simple) carbohydrates triggers a significant release of insulin, which can lead to feelings of hunger appearing two hours after the last meal. This creates a specific behavioral pattern: stress - sweets - overeating - self-blame - low mood - consuming another serving of sweets - stress, and thus a vicious cycle is formed and repeated."
According to the doctor, true hunger is caused by a deficiency of nutrients that the body seeks to replenish—glucose, amino acids, fats, proteins. In this case, the feeling of hunger gradually increases over 3-4.5 hours after the last meal, accompanied by a feeling of emptiness in the stomach, rumbling, and weakness. She adds: "A person can also feel true hunger after emotional or mental stress or intense physical exercise. In other words, there is a real physiological reason for increased appetite."
Psychological hunger is considered a disorder, which can be either permanent or temporary. Intermittent pathological hunger manifests as a rapid urge to eat, not accompanied by any physical sensations from the digestive system. This type of hunger appears as a defense mechanism against psychological issues and new habits are formed: food stress or low mood, dissatisfaction, or feelings of loneliness, anxiety attacks. Psychological hunger can also include the habit of eating while working, watching television, or reading. Continuous pathological hunger develops as a result of certain diseases or hormonal imbalances—often occurring due to thyroid diseases, diabetes, or can manifest from medications like hormonal contraception or antidepressants that have been improperly prescribed.
According to her, if feelings of hunger occur frequently and are accompanied by various symptoms, such as weight gain, sweating, weakness, irritability, and abdominal pain, the individual should consult a specialist in internal medicine.
