Physiol Behav July 2007 PMID 17543357

Stress, eating and the reward system.

Tanja C Adam, Elissa S Epel

Full text PDF Download social card

Mentions

Peak: 5 in Jun 2025

across 5 sources since Dec 2019

Extended reach

9,706

potential audience

Total likes

Video views

734

Mentions per month

Dec 2019 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

News22 articles
X / Twitter8 posts
Facebook5 posts
Blogs4 articles
YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collective discussions emphasize cortisol's influence on cravings for sugar and junk food, with several posts reinforcing the concept by stating 'Cortisol also makes you crave sugar and junk.' The tone is mostly confirmatory, reflecting recognition of the article's validity, though limited deep analysis or new perspectives are presented, which accounts for the moderate scores overall.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions explicitly agree with the article's findings, particularly highlighting cortisol's role in craving junk food and stress-related eating behaviors.

InterestModerate interest

While the topic is relevant to health and psychology, the posts show moderate interest, focusing mainly on confirming known mechanisms rather than exploring new insights.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts like the one mentioning the neuroendocrine model indicate some engagement, but many simply agree or restate key points without deep analysis.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest awareness of the importance of stress in eating behaviors, but few posts indicate the discussions have significantly influenced opinions or practices.

Abstract in brief

The text discusses how chronic stress activates the body's stress response system (HPA axis), leading to increased cortisol levels, which may contribute to visceral obesity and influence appetite regulation.
It proposes a "Reward Based Stress Eating" model suggesting that stress and the consumption of high-calorie foods activate the brain's reward system, involving neuroendocrine factors like cortisol, opioids, leptin, and insulin, potentially leading to compulsive overeating.
Repeated activation of these reward pathways may cause neurobiological changes that reinforce stress-related overeating, with chronic stress disrupting the normal balance of hormones that regulate hunger and reward.]

Read the full abstract

Science of Fitness

@NoMoreFitLies · X

@dr_sumit_sharma

Aug 20, 2025 · 1,230 followers View post →

Science of Fitness

@NoMoreFitLies · X

@thegarybrecka Cortisol also makes you crave sugar and junk.

Jun 18, 2025 · 1,230 followers View post →

Science of Fitness

@NoMoreFitLies · X

@healthh_booster Cortisol also makes you crave sugar and junk food‼️

Jun 12, 2025 · 1,230 followers View post →

Science of Fitness

@NoMoreFitLies · X

@PhilsoThunder Cortisol also makes you crave sugar and junk food‼️

Jun 12, 2025 · 1 like · 1,230 followers View post →

Science of Fitness

@NoMoreFitLies · X

@johnnyxbrown Cortisol also makes you crave sugar and junk food ‼️

Jun 12, 2025 · 2 likes · 1,230 followers View post →

Science of Fitness

@NoMoreFitLies · X

@EnergyUp_

Jun 11, 2025 · 2 likes · 1,230 followers View post →

Madhur Kotharay

@MadhurKotharay · X

Feb 1, 2024 · 1 like · 1,534 followers View post →

Nutrition 630

@Nutrition630 · X

How does #stress impact #nutrition? A 2007 paper from Tanja Adam & @Dr_Epel proposes this #neuroendocrine/reward center model of stress-induced eating. https://t.co/HShBkr9xFT https://t.co/vtBJAxNrFh

Dec 7, 2019 · 1 like · 59 followers View post →

Stress, eating and the reward system.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

Why We Eat Our Feelings: Understanding and Overcoming Emotional Eating

How Stress Affects Your Metabolism and Weight Loss Efforts

Impact of Cortisol on Stress and Weight Loss Strategies