Q. I keep eating whenever I feel stressed. How can I solve this?
You need to resolve the state of Liver Qi Stagnation (Gan-gi-ul-gyeol), which triggers psychological hunger, to restore your ability to regulate appetite.
📝 Detailed Answer
Craving food when stressed is not a matter of willpower. Many of us experience a strong urge for sugar or snacks when under pressure. In Traditional Korean Medicine, this is attributed to Liver Qi Stagnation (肝氣鬱結), a state where the body's vital energy fails to flow smoothly and becomes congested.
When energy flow is blocked, the brain perceives this as a 'deficiency,' leading to a constant search for food. This 'false hunger' is often exacerbated when accompanied by Spleen Deficiency (脾虛), which impairs digestive function and metabolic balance.
- Stress $\rightarrow$ Liver Qi stagnation $\rightarrow$ Autonomic nerve imbalance
- Psychological anxiety $\rightarrow$ Emergence of false hunger $\rightarrow$ Overeating and binge eating
- Decreased digestive efficiency $\rightarrow$ Formation of Phlegm Accumulation (痰積) $\rightarrow$ Lowered metabolism and weight gain
💡 Treatment Goal
The goal is to soothe the Liver and resolve stagnation (So-gan-hae-ul) while strengthening the Spleen and Stomach functions. This improves your constitution so that your body responds to actual physical hunger rather than psychological triggers.
Expert Verified
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director
Last reviewed 2026.04.24