Why You Crave Junk Food When You Are Stressed

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True story

A friend confessed to me a few days ago that every time life gets overwhelming
she ends up standing in the kitchen eating chocolate straight from the wrapper
She said she is not even hungry
but the urge feels like it is in her bones

Work gets intense
emails pile up
and without even thinking about it
she reaches for something sweet or salty

It is like her body takes over before her mind can catch up

What does that mean

When you are stressed your brain is looking for quick relief
It knows that certain foods trigger a fast dopamine hit
That small rush of feel good chemicals gives you a momentary break from the pressure

It is not about hunger
It is about chemistry
Your brain is trying to change your emotional state in the fastest way it knows how

The problem is
that relief lasts only minutes
and then the crash comes
leaving you more tired and less focused than before

Why this matters

If you have ever

found yourself eating snacks you did not even want
craved sugar in the middle of a stressful day
felt worse after emotional eating

It is not because you have no willpower
It is because your nervous system is reaching for the quickest off switch it can find

What I would love from you

What is your go to comfort food when you are stressed
Do you notice a pattern in when those cravings show up

Reply to this email and share your experience
It might surprise you how much of it is about your brain
and not about your stomach

Stay sharp
Your Neurotweak Team

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