Q. I tend to binge eat whenever I feel stressed; how can I get this under control?
It is important to distinguish between psychological hunger and physical hunger. From a TKM perspective, we regulate appetite by correcting imbalances between the Liver Qi and Spleen function.
📝 Detailed Answer
I understand that feeling of 'dizziness' when your appetite suddenly explodes; it is a sensation many experience. This is often not a matter of simple willpower, but rather a signal your body is sending you.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), when stress causes energy to stagnate—a state known as Liver Qi Stagnation (肝氣鬱結)—it adversely affects the Spleen, which is responsible for digestive functions. This leads to Spleen Deficiency (脾虛), where a person experiences intense 'false hunger' despite a lack of actual nutritional deficiency.
💡 Treatment Goals
The goal is to soothe the Liver and resolve stagnation (So-gan-hae-ul) while strengthening the Spleen and Stomach to suppress false hunger.
- Liver Qi Stagnation (肝氣鬱結): Blocked energy due to stress, leading to emotional instability and increased cravings.
- Spleen Deficiency (脾虛): Weakened Spleen function leading to poor energy metabolism and a frequent craving for sweets.
- Phlegm Accumulation (痰積): Undigested waste products accumulate, causing abdominal bloating and lethargy.
Therefore, rather than simply telling you to eat less, a prescription to first clear the stagnant energy is necessary. This allows the brain to move past the illusion of hunger and regain self-control.
Expert Verified
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director