Hormonal
Dysregulation of homeostatic signals (specifically insulin resistance in the VTA) disrupts the inhibition of dopamine neurons, leading to unchecked motivation for food cues and contributing to obesity.
If you struggle with overeating despite being full, it may not be a failure of willpower but a biological signal failure. High insulin levels can block the brain's 'stop' signal for food rewards. Managing insulin sensitivity through diet and exercise may help restore the brain's ability to ignore food cues when not hungry.
In the condition of hyperinsulinemia, it follows that insulin may be unable to suppress information transmitted to the VTA regarding food-associated cues, which could promote further food-seeking, even in an energy-replete state, leading to weight gain and obesity.
Why this rating
Based on multiple cited rodent studies (Liu et al., 2013; Laboube et al., 2013) showing causal links, though human translation is implied rather than directly tested in a single trial.
Source
Homeostasis Meets Motivation in the Battle to Control Food Intake
Carrie R. Ferrario et al. · Journal of Neuroscience · 2016
DOI 10.1523/jneurosci.2338-16.2016
More from this paper
- Short-term exposure to palatable food can permanently alter brain wiring (synaptic density) to increase future food seeking, a process that can be reversed by insulin signaling.Good
- Obesity is associated with reduced striatal D2 receptor availability, which may drive compulsive food seeking and resistance to punishment, creating a feedback loop of overeating.Good
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