Q. When I get stressed, I tend to binge eat. How can I improve this?

First, let me explain the mechanism behind stress-induced binge eating. In Traditional Korean Medicine, stress primarily affects the liver (gan). The liver governs the smooth flow of qi. When stress accumulates, the liver becomes stagnant, leading to 'liver depression (ganul)'. This blocks qi from descending to the stomach, causing reversed upward flow instead, which triggers binge eating impulses and loss of appetite control. This condition is often accompanied by chest tightness, belching after meals, and a stifling sensation in the chest. On the other hand, chronic dieting failure or prolonged stress can weaken the spleen, resulting in 'spleen deficiency (biheo)'. The spleen is responsible for digestion and fluid metabolism. When it is weak, food is not properly digested, and you may feel a 'boring' taste in the mouth that drives you to keep eating. Symptoms include post-meal abdominal distension, easy swelling, and loose or irregular stools. Because the approach differs depending on the pattern—constitutional or current state—it's important to identify the root cause rather than blindly restricting diet. I've often had patients ask if it's simply a lack of willpower, but in many cases, the body's condition is the real cause. A pulse diagnosis can differentiate liver depression from spleen deficiency, and we then tailor the treatment accordingly.