Mukbang When in a Bad Mood? Emotional Eating, the Dangerous Habit of Relieving Stress with Food

Modern medicine explains this insight of Donguibogam through the concept of the 'gut-brain axis'. Rather than functioning merely as digestive organs, the brain and gut are closely connected and communicate constantly, earning the gut the title of the 'second brain'. When emotional stimuli such as stress or depression arise, the brain immediately secretes the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol stimulates appetite and increases cravings for high-calorie comfort foods, especially those high in sugar and fat. Consuming these foods temporarily releases pleasure hormones like dopamine and serotonin in the brain, creating a brief sense of improved mood. However, this effect is fleeting. Soon, blood glucose spikes and plunges, leaving the body with greater fatigue and discomfort, while guilt and regret create a cycle that further amplifies stress. This also harms the gut microbiome. Stress decreases beneficial bacteria and increases harmful bacteria, impairing gut health and triggering inflammatory responses that negatively affect brain function. More than 90% of the body's serotonin resides in the gut; when the gut environment deteriorates, serotonin secretion is compromised, which can worsen feelings of depression or anxiety. Emotional eating is therefore more than an issue of weight gain. It is a serious warning sign that threatens the immune system, hormonal balance, and mental health. Because the body quickly turns this temporary coping method into a habit, breaking the pattern through conscious effort is essential. By listening to your body's distress signals and choosing healthier coping strategies through an informed approach, you can overcome this cycle.