THE REAL PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND CRAVINGS It’s Not Just a Lack of Willpower
Do you ever find yourself reaching for chocolate late at night or suddenly craving salty chips in the middle of the afternoon? You’re not alone and definitely not “lacking willpower.” Food cravings are a complex mix of biology, psychology, and emotional cues, and understanding them can help you respond in healthier, more intentional ways. Cravings are a universal experience. Studies show that over 90% of people experience food cravings, with women more likely to crave sweet foods like chocolate, and men more often craving savory options like meat or pizza. So, if you’ve ever thought you were alone in your cravings, know that this is a near- universal human experience. Your brain’s reward system is driving the urge. Cravings often originate in the brain’s limbic system, responsible for behavior, emotion, and long-term memory. When
you’re stressed or low, your brain searches for a quick dopamine hit, the “feel-good” chemical. Foods high in sugar, fat, or salt can deliver that boost quickly, which is why comfort foods are hard to resist. Processed foods foster addiction. Research from the University of Michigan has shown that highly processed foods can stimulate the brain’s reward centers in ways similar to addictive substances. That’s why stopping after one cookie or chip can feel nearly impossible — the brain is wired to want more. Cravings may signal physical needs. Not all cravings are emotional. Sometimes, your body is genuinely trying to tell you something. For example, craving chocolate may indicate a magnesium deficiency, while craving salty foods can indicate dehydration or a lack of electrolytes. That said, it’s essential to pause and
assess. Not every craving means your body needs that exact food. Memories and emotional triggers play a role. Many food cravings are tied to learned behaviors and emotional associations. If you were rewarded with sweets as a child, your brain might now associate ice cream with comfort or safety. These conditioned patterns are powerful, but you can reprogram them. Food cravings aren’t just about what’s in the pantry. They’re about what’s happening in your brain, body, and emotions. When you understand the drivers of your cravings, you can make choices that support your well-being instead of fighting these urges blindly.
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my head. I chose a design to fit the space that would look pleasing but not too bold. This was a big step for me. I am fair-skinned, and I was adamant the artist use a light henna hue that wouldn’t stand out so intensely, rather than black ink. “What if I hate this?” I thought. “What if it stands out so much, I get a lot of negative attention?” But as it turned out, I love my tattoo. For me, it is a way of embracing this condition as something I can’t change, and turning it into something I consider beautiful. After a year, I got the tattoo touched up in a darker brown. A Rocker ‘Do Now, I look more like I’m rocking a stylish, half-shaved undercut. It’s nice that in this day and age, edgy hairstyles are more accepted. I still get some weird stares once in a while though. Fortunately, Flagstaff, for the most part, is an understanding, compassionate community. These days, I am really trying to embrace this condition and surrender myself to it. I often think about how hard this would have been if it had set in when I was a kid. A big reason I stopped trying to hide my hair loss is that if I
were to meet a child with alopecia, I wouldn’t want them to see me trying to hide mine and think they had to do the same. No one should have to feel alone and alienated for their appearance. I often think about the future. I follow influencers on social media who have alopecia universalis to normalize what that will likely look like for me. They might wear a wig to go out and have fun in the evening, but they generally accept what they look like. After I become entirely bald, I may have my tattoo finished out into a full mandala, and might use wigs here and there for fun too. This is the path I’ve traveled — from “I have to fix this,” to “It’s okay if people look different, and they don’t need to change.” While drawing further attention to it sometimes feels difficult, I want people to be aware. If you encounter someone with alopecia, I hope you will encourage them too, with a friendly smile or reminder of their innate beauty. -Amanda Kimmel
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