The Science of Appetite and Hunger Signals

How Hunger Signals Work

Your body uses a complex system of hormones and neural signals to communicate hunger and satiety. The two main players are ghrelin (the "hunger hormone") and leptin (the "satiety hormone").

Ghrelin is produced in your stomach and signals to your brain that it's time to eat. Levels rise before meals and fall after eating. Leptin, produced by fat cells, tells your brain when you've had enough.

Why Hunger Signals Can Go Wrong

Several factors can disrupt your natural hunger signals:

• Sleep deprivation: Lack of sleep increases ghrelin and decreases leptin, making you feel hungrier.
• Highly processed foods: These can override natural satiety signals and encourage overeating.
• Chronic dieting: Years of restrictive eating can dysregulate hunger hormones.
• Stress: Cortisol can increase appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods.

Restoring Healthy Hunger Signals

The good news is that you can recalibrate your hunger signals. The THINNR Protocol is designed to support healthy appetite regulation while you build sustainable eating habits.

Combined with our nutrition guidance, patients often report feeling more in tune with their body's natural signals within weeks of starting the program.

Practical Tips for Better Appetite Awareness

• Eat slowly: It takes about 20 minutes for satiety signals to reach your brain.
• Stay hydrated: Sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger.
• Prioritize protein: Protein is the most satiating macronutrient.
• Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours to keep hunger hormones balanced.

Ready to take control of your appetite? Find a THINNR provider to get started with a personalized plan.