When I’m stressed, I keep binge eating. Is there a solution?

Stress-related binge eating is very common, and I've experienced it myself. In Traditional Korean Medicine, accumulated stress leads to Liver Qi Stagnation (肝氣鬱結), where the Liver's function of regulating Qi, blood, and emotions becomes impaired. This disrupts appetite-regulating hormones, often triggering cravings for sweets or carbs. I remember nights when I'd order tteokbokki as a late-night snack, only to feel heavier and more stressed afterward. The important thing is that simply 'holding back' isn't the answer. When the Liver is constrained, digestive function suffers, and food may not be properly transformed, leading to Phlegm-Fluid (痰飮) or Blood Stasis (瘀血). If you feel bloated, have frequent burping, or gas after bingeing, this often indicates concurrent Spleen Deficiency (脾虛), where the Spleen fails to convert food into energy and instead stores it as fat. Check for three key signs: a pattern of binge eating immediately after stress, tenderness or hardness below the sternum, and poor digestion after bingeing. If all apply, both Liver and Spleen need care. In clinic, acupuncture can release Liver Qi, while herbal medicine addresses Spleen Deficiency and Phlegm-Fluid. However, there is no one-size-fits-all promise; treatment must be tailored to your constitution and lifestyle. With consistent management, binge frequency decreases, and your body's stress response itself changes over time.