Hedonic Override

Hedonic “override” describes situations where the motivation to eat persists despite satiety signals, driven by the brain’s reward systems rather than physiological energy needs. This occurs when highly palatable food cues activate dopaminergic pathways (e.g., the mesolimbic system), increasing the motivational salience of food and overriding internal cues of fullness. It reflects the influence of non-homeostatic, reward-driven processes on eating behavior, particularly in environments rich in calorie-dense foods.