Tag: Alcohol cravings

According to research from the Francis Crick Institute, alcohol can switch the brain into 'starvation mode' by activating specific neurons. This provides a neurological explanation for the common experience where you want food when you're drunk, even after consuming calorie-dense drinks.

Research has shown that alcohol can flip your brain into "starvation mode," activating signals that increase hunger and appetite. There are several complex reasons why drinking leaves you asking, "Why do I want to eat so much when I drink?," involving hormones, the brain, and decreased impulse control.

Studies have shown that both alcohol and sugar activate similar reward pathways in the brain, which is a major reason why many people experience intense sugar cravings after alcohol. This complex biological and psychological phenomenon goes deeper than just having a 'sweet tooth'.

A 2017 study published in *Nature Communications* found that alcohol can activate the same brain signals triggered by starvation, explaining why you might intensely want carbs after drinking. This neurological response, combined with major shifts in your metabolism and hormones, creates a powerful physiological drive to eat high-calorie foods following alcohol consumption.

Research has shown that alcohol can trigger the release of FGF-21, a hormone that specifically increases the desire for protein and savory flavors. This is one of the primary physiological reasons why many people find themselves asking, "Why do I crave beef after drinking?" when their night is winding down.

According to health experts, alcohol can act as a diuretic, which causes the body to lose fluids and electrolytes, leading to milk cravings. This is a main reason why people crave milk after drinking alcohol.

Chronic alcohol abuse significantly impacts the brain's reward system, causing it to seek alternative sources of pleasure. This biological and neurological process is a key reason why sugar helps with alcohol cravings, particularly during the challenging initial stages of sobriety.

Studies show that alcohol can activate the brain's "starvation mode" neurons, which explains why a night of drinking often leads to intense cravings. This guide reveals actionable strategies on how to get rid of drunk munchies by targeting the root causes and making smarter choices.

According to a 2018 study from the University at Buffalo, researchers officially gave a name to the intense desire for unhealthy comfort foods after drinking alcohol: 'drunchies'. This phenomenon, often mistaken for mere lack of willpower, is a complex biological response involving hormones, brain signals, and impaired judgment that explains what do you call drunk munchies.

Recent clinical and preclinical studies suggest a ketogenic diet (KD) may reduce alcohol cravings and withdrawal severity in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) by shifting the brain's primary energy source. This metabolic change provides an alternative energy source to compensate for the deficits that occur when someone stops drinking. Understanding how this process works reveals a promising adjunctive therapy for addiction recovery.