Hunger

Hunger is a psychological state characterized by a desire to eat (Stevenson, 2024). It strongly motivates an individual to seek out and consume food. Initially, researchers believed that it occurs when blood sugar levels drop and the stomach signals the brain to seek nourishment. More recently, feelings of hunger have been linked to an interplay between levels of various hormones, most notably ghrelin.

Stevenson, R. J. (2024). The psychological basis of hunger and its dysfunctions. Nutrition Reviews, 82(10), 1444–1454. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuad092