You may have heard the term… but it really hits differently when you’ve experienced it.
Let’s start from the beginning—definition is everything:
Emotional eating is when you connect an emotional state—positive or negative—with the urge to eat as a release, even when you’re not actually physically hungry (i.e., not experiencing biological hunger).
Eating certain foods, like chocolate, triggers the release of various substances directly tied to your emotional state. Beyond satisfying any hunger you might have, they can also create other positive feelings—pleasure, euphoria, calm, and reward.
Let’s look at those substances more closely:
Dopamine
Its primary role is to transmit signals of satisfaction to your brain—triggered by food, coffee, alcohol, or physical activity. Known as the “euphoria neurotransmitter,” dopamine is responsible, among other things, for feelings of reward, motivation, and creativity .
Serotonin
This substance plays a crucial role in sending signals that regulate emotions like anger, anxiety, aggression, and happiness. Eating foods rich in tryptophan—the precursor to serotonin—such as cheese, eggs, and dark chocolate, raises serotonin levels in your body, helping you feel calm, peaceful, and balanced .
Cortisol
Known as the stress hormone, cortisol’s main function is to provide energy during times of stress (e.g., when you’re sick or experiencing low blood sugar). The problem arises during prolonged stress: chronically high cortisol levels disrupt sleep, immune response, and often increase your appetite .
In summary:
Emotional eating has a clear biological basis—hunger isn’t always just about physical need, but also how our mood and stress chemistry influence our appetites .
