What is the satiety hormone called? And other appetite regulators

December 19, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study, a lack of adequate sleep can decrease levels of key satiety hormones while increasing the hunger hormone, ghrelin. In reality, pinpointing exactly what is the satiety hormone called is a complex matter, as multiple hormones and signals contribute to the feeling of fullness and energy balance.

Quick Summary

This article explores the multiple hormones responsible for signaling satiety to the brain, including long-term regulators like leptin and short-term signals like peptide YY and CCK. It details how these signals interact to regulate appetite and offers natural strategies for supporting hormonal balance for effective weight management.

Key Points

Leptin is the main satiety hormone: Produced by fat cells, it signals long-term energy sufficiency to the brain and suppresses appetite.
Multiple hormones control fullness: Short-term satiety is also regulated by gut hormones like CCK, PYY, and GLP-1, released after eating.
Ghrelin is the opposing hunger hormone: Released by the stomach when empty, ghrelin signals hunger and its levels drop after a meal.
The hypothalamus integrates signals: The hypothalamus in the brain acts as the control center, integrating signals from both hunger and satiety hormones.
Leptin resistance impacts weight: In many people with obesity, the brain doesn't respond effectively to high leptin levels, leading to persistent hunger.
Lifestyle changes affect hormones: Adequate sleep, high-protein and high-fiber foods, and stress management can help naturally balance hunger and satiety hormones.
Hormonal balance, not a single fix: Effective weight management requires understanding and supporting the entire hormonal system, rather than focusing on a single hormone.

The Primary Satiety Hormones

While many people refer to a single "satiety hormone," the process of feeling full is governed by a network of hormones. The most prominent long-term signal is leptin, but several other hormones work in concert to manage appetite. This intricate communication network primarily involves the gut and fat cells sending signals to the hypothalamus, the brain's control center for appetite.

Leptin: The Long-Term Signal

Leptin is a protein hormone produced predominantly by the body's fat cells, or adipocytes. It is often called the satiety hormone because its primary function is to regulate long-term energy balance by inhibiting hunger. The level of circulating leptin is directly proportional to the amount of body fat you have. When your fat stores are sufficient, leptin levels are high, which signals to the hypothalamus that energy reserves are plentiful. This suppresses appetite and increases energy expenditure. Conversely, when fat mass decreases, leptin levels drop, signaling a state of energy deficit and triggering increased hunger.

Leptin Resistance: In many cases of obesity, individuals have chronically high levels of leptin, but their brains become resistant to its signals. This condition, known as leptin resistance, prevents the brain from accurately receiving the fullness message, leading to persistent hunger and difficulty with long-term weight management.

Gut Hormones: The Short-Term Messengers

Several hormones released by the gastrointestinal tract play a crucial role in regulating meal-to-meal satiety. Unlike leptin, these messengers provide rapid feedback to the brain as food is being consumed and digested.

Cholecystokinin (CCK): Released by enteroendocrine cells in the small intestine in response to fat and protein intake. CCK acts to slow gastric emptying, stimulate the release of bile, and signal the hypothalamus to reduce food intake, creating a sense of fullness.
Peptide YY (PYY): Secreted by endocrine cells in the ileum and colon after a meal. PYY helps to decrease appetite by slowing the movement of food through the digestive tract and acting on brain receptors to inhibit food intake.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1): An incretin hormone secreted by the gut in response to nutrient consumption. GLP-1 enhances insulin secretion, slows gastric emptying, and promotes satiety by acting on the hypothalamus.

Ghrelin: The Hunger Hormone

To fully understand satiety, it's essential to understand its counterpart: hunger. Ghrelin is the hormone that acts in opposition to satiety signals and is often dubbed the "hunger hormone". Produced mainly in the stomach, ghrelin levels rise significantly before a meal when the stomach is empty, signaling the brain that it's time to eat. After eating, ghrelin levels drop, contributing to the feeling of satisfaction.

Comparison of Key Appetite-Regulating Hormones


Hormone	Origin	Primary Function	Signal Duration
Leptin	Fat Cells	Long-term energy balance; signals fullness based on fat stores.	Long-term
Ghrelin	Stomach	Increases appetite; signals hunger before meals.	Short-term
Peptide YY (PYY)	Small & Large Intestine	Promotes satiety and slows digestion after eating.	Short-term
Cholecystokinin (CCK)	Small Intestine	Rapid satiety signal; slows gastric emptying after fat/protein intake.	Short-term

How to Support Your Satiety Hormones Naturally

Maintaining a healthy balance of appetite-regulating hormones is key for effective weight management. Here are several natural strategies:

Prioritize Sleep: Sleep deprivation disrupts the balance of leptin and ghrelin, increasing hunger and decreasing feelings of fullness. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep nightly to help regulate these signals effectively.
Increase Protein Intake: A diet high in protein has been shown to increase feelings of fullness and promote the release of satiety hormones like PYY.
Eat Fiber-Rich Foods: Fiber adds bulk to meals, helping to stretch the stomach and trigger satiety signals more effectively. Fiber-rich foods also take longer to digest, contributing to a longer-lasting feeling of fullness.
Manage Stress: Chronic stress can elevate cortisol, a hormone that can increase appetite and cravings for unhealthy foods. Practicing mindfulness, exercise, or other stress-reducing techniques can help keep hormonal balance in check.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water, especially before meals, can help fill the stomach, reducing hunger cues and lowering overall calorie intake.
Mindful Eating: Eating slowly and paying attention to your food allows time for satiety signals to reach the brain, preventing overeating.

Conclusion

While a single answer to what is the satiety hormone called is insufficient, leptin serves as a primary, long-term regulator, while hormones like CCK, PYY, and GLP-1 provide crucial short-term feedback. The dynamic interplay between these satiety hormones and the hunger hormone, ghrelin, dictates our appetite. By understanding this complex system and adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and stress management, you can naturally support your body's ability to regulate appetite and maintain a healthy weight.

For further reading on the neurohormonal regulation of appetite, see this comprehensive review from the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main long-term satiety hormone is called leptin. Produced by fat cells, leptin signals to the brain that the body has sufficient energy stores, which helps suppress appetite.

The hunger hormone is ghrelin. It is produced in the stomach and signals the brain when it's time to eat. Satiety hormones, like leptin, CCK, and PYY, do the opposite by signaling fullness and suppressing appetite.

Leptin resistance, often associated with obesity, occurs when the brain fails to respond properly to high levels of leptin. While the exact cause isn't fully understood, factors like inflammation, diet, and chronic high leptin levels are believed to contribute.

Yes, you can support your satiety hormones naturally. Strategies include eating more protein and fiber, getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night, managing stress, and staying well-hydrated.

Gut hormones like CCK, PYY, and GLP-1 are short-term messengers that signal fullness. They are released rapidly after eating and work by slowing digestion and sending satiety messages to the brain.

Yes, sleep significantly impacts satiety hormones. Lack of sleep can increase levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin while decreasing levels of the satiety hormone leptin, leading to increased appetite and cravings.

Protein is known to increase feelings of fullness more than other macronutrients. It promotes the release of gut hormones like PYY and GLP-1, which signal satiety to the brain.

No, there is no single pill to 'fix' satiety hormones. The system is complex and regulated by multiple hormones. Effective management involves adopting healthy lifestyle habits rather than seeking a quick fix.

Stress can disrupt the balance of appetite hormones by increasing cortisol levels, which is linked to higher appetite and cravings. Managing stress is important for maintaining hormonal balance.

To boost satiety signals, practice eating slowly and mindfully. Chewing food thoroughly and focusing on the meal can give your brain time to register fullness, helping to prevent overeating.