The Science Behind Overeating

Researchers know that people who struggle with emotional eating and binge eating have trouble calming down when faced with conflict and upsetting feelings . Turning to food is one way to distract from and cope with these unpleasant feelings.

For individuals predisposed to binge eating, overeating releases dopamine, a 'feel-good' chemical in the brain that elicits pleasure.

Once these warm and cozy feelings fade, shame reemerges, as does the urge to overeat, leading to a troubling cycle.