Serotonin and emotional hunger

Serotonin has long been recognized as one of the most important neurotransmitters in the regulation of emotional behavior. When people are upbeat, calm, and feeling good, their levels are also balanced.

However, when the level is low, in addition to other factors, mood alterations, depressive manifestations, concentration or memory disorders, sexual inappetence, etc., may appear.

In addition, appetite disorders are also common, the so-called “emotional hunger”, especially for sweet or other products, which can lead to frequent snacking and compulsive eating behaviors.

However, it should be noted that emotional balance is very complex, depends on many neurohormonal factors, and also produces the opposite, states of anxiety and irritability with loss of appetite.

Causes of emotional hunger

The biochemical bases of emotional behavior are not well known, but the environmental influence is equally or more important than the genetic characteristics of each person.

Stress, unhealthy lifestyle habits such as lack of sleep or a sedentary lifestyle are adaptive responses to an unsuitable way of life.

The consequence is that the regulation systems are affected, and multiple pathologies appear. Among these, one of the most important can be overweight and obesity, favored by food oversupply and psychological hunger, which we must face with the most advanced dietary systems.

For more information about emotional hunger, consult with a specialist in Endocrinology. In turn, if you wish to search for emotional hunger control diets, consult with Dr. Alberto García Valdés through the website drgarciavaldes.com.