People are complex beings… and respond differently to emotional situations. The key to these differences may lie with our body chemistry, the ingredient mix of hormones and neurotransmitters that make us all unique.
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For some, food… and even the act of eating itself, may serve to raise the levels of neurotransmitters that may, temporarily, help us to feel better. The increase of such chemicals as serotonin in the brain can cause some elevation in mood, which in turn creates a reward pathway that translates to the brain: eat food = feel better!
Unfortunately, the very temporary nature of this pathway, in addition to the fact that it distracts us from dealing with the emotion itself, is a major drawback.
With people who stop eating in response to stress, it is possible they produce chemicals in another form: gastric juices. When under stress, ramping up production of these stomach churning chemicals can leave one feeling quite queasy, in which case food is the farthest thing from the mind!
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Jennie Wade, MEd, RD, LD, Body Truth Center for Wellness, LLC, 9403 Kenwood Road, Suite A120, Cincinnati, OH 45242 www.bodytruthcenter.com
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