Neurobiology of Eating

The neurobiology of eating involves brain regions and chemicals that regulate hunger, fullness, and food preferences. Key players include the hypothalamus, which monitors energy needs, and reward centers like the nucleus accumbens, which respond to pleasurable aspects of food. Hormones such as ghrelin stimulate hunger, while leptin and insulin signal fullness. Neurotransmitters like dopamine influence motivation to seek food. This complex system ensures we eat to meet energy demands, but it can be affected by genetics, emotions, and environment, contributing to normal eating behavior or disorders like overeating or anorexia.