Cortisol Driven Appetite Surge is the acute, often intense, increase in hunger and food-seeking behavior that is directly triggered by elevated or dysregulated levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This hormonal cascade preferentially promotes the consumption of energy-dense, highly palatable foods, particularly those rich in sugar and fat, representing a primal physiological response to perceived threat or sustained energy demand. Clinically, this surge is a major contributor to stress-related weight gain and poor dietary adherence.
Origin
This term is derived from the convergence of endocrinology, neurobiology, and nutritional science, linking the primary stress response hormone to feeding behavior. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid, is central to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis response. The ‘appetite surge’ is the observed behavioral outcome, emphasizing the direct, powerful influence of chronic stress signaling on energy intake regulation, a mechanism that evolved to ensure survival during periods of scarcity or high demand.
Mechanism
The mechanism involves cortisol acting on multiple neural centers, including the hypothalamus and the limbic system, to modulate appetite-regulating peptides and neurotransmitters. Elevated cortisol increases the expression and activity of neuropeptide Y (NPY), a potent orexigenic peptide that stimulates hunger, while simultaneously enhancing the hedonic response to food via the reward pathways. Furthermore, cortisol can blunt the satiety signals from leptin and insulin, leading to an increased drive for caloric intake that is often disproportionate to actual energy need, thus favoring positive energy balance and fat storage.
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