Why Do We Feel ‘Hungry’ When We’re Stressed?

When you’re stressed, your brain sends a message to eat. Imagine your brain is like a chef in the kitchen, when it gets busy (like during stress), it sometimes forgets to turn off the stove, and you end up feeling hungry even if you're not really hungry at all. Stress makes your body release something called cortisol, which tells your brain that it's time to eat. That’s why some people get cravings for sweet or salty foods when they’re stressed.