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cravings

·September 8, 2024·5 min read

Brain Activity in Craving Shown to Vary Rapidly

Researchers have developed a dynamic method to track rapid brain activity changes, especially related to craving. Unlike traditional neuroimaging, which captures only a snapshot of brain activity, this approach provides a real-time view of how craving fluctuates.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 20, 2023·4 min read

Brain Stimulation May Combat Nicotine Cravings

Researchers discovered that theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) can potentially reduce cigarette cravings. The study revealed that individuals with nicotine dependence often have brain differences that might compromise their inhibitory control (IC).

This shows a woman in VR glasses surrounded by candy.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 28, 2023·8 min read

Watch to Eat Less: VR Videos Curb Candy Cravings

Researchers find that watching immersive videos of candy consumption can significantly reduce one's craving for sweets. Participants who viewed the video 30 times ate an average of a third less candy compared to the control group.

This shows a woman fixing a plate of food

Featured Neuroscience

·December 20, 2022·5 min read

Newly Identified Neuromarker Reveals Clues About Drug and Food Craving

Researchers have identified neural biomarkers associated with food and drug cravings. The findings could help pave the way for new treatments for addiction.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 20, 2022·3 min read

Got Junk Food on the Brain? These Cells May Be to Blame

Researchers identified a group of neurons in the amygdala which are responsible for hedonic eating.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 4, 2022·4 min read

Neuronal Mechanisms That Control Food Cravings During Pregnancy Identified

A new study sheds light on the neurobiology of cravings for certain foods women experience while pregnant. According to researchers, during pregnancy, the brain undergoes alterations to functional connections in the reward systems, as well as taste and sensorimotor centers. Pregnant females become more sensitive to sweet foods and develop binge eating behaviors toward high-calorie foods. Pregnancy induces a full reorganization of the mesolimbic neural circuits via D2R dopaminergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens.

This shows a cartoon of people on a cross roads

Featured Neuroscience

·July 10, 2020·3 min read

Brain Cells that Trigger Sugar Cravings and Consumption Identified

FGF21, a hormone created in the liver in response to increased levels of sugar, acts in the brain to suppress sugar intake and controls the preference for sweet-tasting foods.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 12, 2019·3 min read

Seeing greenery linked to less intense and frequent cravings

Spending time in nature can help reduce the strength and frequency of cravings.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 28, 2019·5 min read

Ack! I need chocolate! The science of PMS food cravings

From comfort eating to hormonal levels contributing to a desire for sweets, many studies have investigated why women with PMS often crave certain foods. Researchers explore why food cravings may occur, and what can be done to suppress them for women with premenstrual syndrome.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 14, 2019·4 min read

Coffee addicts really do wake up and smell the coffee

People who consume coffee regularly have enhanced sensitivity to odors associated with caffeine. Those who drink more than 4 cups a day can identify the smell of coffee faster, and at weaker concentrations than those who drink less daily.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 15, 2019·4 min read

Sniffing pleasant odors may decrease cigarette craving

Pleasant olfactory cues hold promise for helping to curb the urge to smoke in those who are quitting. Exposure to olfactory cues reduced symptoms of cravings, with effects lasting up to five minutes following exposure.