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overeating

This shows a woman holding chocolate and a table with pain pills.

·October 8, 2025·6 min read

Why Comfort Food Feels Like Medicine for People in Chronic Pain

A new study reveals that more than two-thirds of people living with chronic pain turn to comfort foods—especially chocolate—for emotional relief and distraction during flare-ups. Eating provides temporary pleasure and even mild pain relief, likely due to biological effects of high-calorie foods on the brain’s reward and pain systems.

This shows a young girl sitting at a table and a shadow of her older self.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 29, 2025·6 min read

Preschool Overeating in Girls Linked to Teen Anxiety and Impulsivity

A study tracking more than 2,000 Quebec children found that girls who regularly overate in the preschool years were more likely to report anxiety, impulsivity, and hyperactivity during adolescence. The association was not found in boys, pointing to possible sociocultural influences such as closer monitoring and restrictive food environments for girls.

This shows a brain as a top of a burger bun.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 2, 2024·4 min read

Brain Chemistry Sheds Light on Overeating and Memory

Fruit flies use the neurotransmitter octopamine to decide whether food memories are stored long-term or short-term. This process, influenced by energy reserves, affects future eating behavior. High glycogen levels result in stable food memories, prompting increased food intake even after fasting. The research suggests that similar mechanisms may influence overeating in humans.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 1, 2022·6 min read

New Treatment Leads to Much Less Overeating

A new treatment system that focuses on the link between eating and mental health helps people with obesity make healthier decisions when it comes to eating.

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·February 12, 2021·3 min read

Brain Discovery May Lead to Solutions for Overeating

Neurons in the infralimbic cortex control the link between food cues and behavioral actions, such as overeating or bad food choices. When these neurons are regulated, the rat models consumed fewer treats.

This shows a person putting running shoes on

Featured Neuroscience

·February 3, 2020·4 min read

Physical activity is good for your appetite, too

Not only does exercise help burn those extra calories, but it can also have a protective effect against overeating, a new study reports.

This is the chemical structure of dopamine

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 2, 2020·5 min read

Study finds dopamine, biological clock link to snacking, overeating and obesity

Findings define a connection between reward, dopamine, and circadian pathways in the overeating.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 24, 2019·5 min read

The neurobiology of noshing: Why is it so easy to overeat calorie-rich tasty foods?

Prepronociceptin expressing neurons in the central amygdala become activated by consuming palatable foods. Reducing nociceptin making neurons in mice reduced binge eating when the animals had access to calorie-rich foods, without affecting the intake of ordinary dietary needs. The finding could help in the development of new therapies to combat obesity and binge eating.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 31, 2019·4 min read

Scientists find brain mechanism that naturally combats overeating

Hippocampal dopamine 2 receptors, cells known to play a role in regulating memory, help curb the impulse to overeat.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 14, 2019·1 min read

Memory of Last Meal Influences How Much is Eaten Next: Rat Study

Researchers have identified neurons in the brains of rats that control future food intake by preserving memories of past meals. The findings suggest boosting meal memories could help to manage overeating and curb obesity.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 25, 2018·5 min read

Destructive Mechanism That Blocks the Brain from Knowing When to Stop Eating Identified

Researchers report mice fed a high fat diet produce an enzyme called MMP-2, which results in leptin being blocked from binding to its receptors. This, they report, prevents neurons from signaling that the stomach is full. The study suggests blocking MMP-2 may help people with obesity to lose weight.

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·August 24, 2018·3 min read

Link Between Gut Bacteria and Eating For Pleasure Discovered

A new study reveals a link between elevates microbiome levels of indole and hedonic eating. Researchers report those with higher levels of indole are more likely to have food addiction and overeating disorders.