Anxiety and Hunger
Hunger symptoms, such as feeling hungry even though you just ate or shortly after you ate, feeling hungry all the time, and feeling like your hunger is insatiable, are common anxiety symptoms, including an anxiety attack and panic attack symptoms. Many anxious people experience hunger-related symptoms due to their anxiety.
This article explains the relationship between anxiety and hunger, especially constant hunger.
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Symptoms of Anxiety-Related Hunger
People experiencing anxiety-related hunger often report a mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Some arise directly from the anxiety itself, while others are a result of how the body responds to prolonged stress and nervous system hyperstimulation.
Anxiety Symptoms That Can Affect Appetite:
- Feeling anxious or panicked if food is delayed
- Racing thoughts about food, body image, or control
- Irritability or mood swings when hungry
- Difficulty focusing or thinking clearly
- Digestive upset, including nausea, bloating, cramps, acid reflux, or GERD
Hunger Symptoms Aggravated by Anxiety:
- Feeling hungry all the time, no matter how much you eat
- Becoming hungry again soon after eating
- Frequent hunger pains or stomach discomfort
- A “raw” or burning feeling in the stomach if not eating constantly
- Gas or sharp stomach pains when meals are missed
- Hunger that feels overwhelming, even leading to nausea or shakiness
- Persistent acid indigestion, reflux, or GERD—relieved only by eating
This symptom can:
- Occur occasionally, frequently, or persistently
- Happen anytime—day or night, even waking you in the middle of the night.
- Appear before, during, or after other anxiety symptoms, or on its own.
- Accompany periods of stress, fear, or nervousness—or come out of the blue.
- Range in intensity from mild to severe.
- Come in waves—strong at one moment and easing off the next.
- Linger as a background symptom or fluctuate throughout the day.
When anxiety and hunger coexist, they often amplify one another—leading to compulsive eating, heightened body image concerns, and greater emotional distress.
All the above combinations and variations are common. This is a typical part of anxiety disorder and can improve with the right understanding and care.
To see if anxiety might be playing a role in your symptoms, rate your level of anxiety using our free one-minute instant results Anxiety Test, Anxiety Disorder Test, or Hyperstimulation Test.
The higher the rating, the more likely anxiety could be contributing to or causing your anxiety symptoms, including feeling like impending doom symptoms.
Causes of Anxiety-Related Hunger
Medical Advisory
Talk to your doctor about all new, changing, persistent, and returning symptoms as some medical conditions and medications can cause anxiety-like symptoms.
There are many reasons why anxiety can create or worsen hunger symptoms. These include acute stress responses, chronic hyperstimulation, psychological patterns, environmental influences, and other physical stressors.
1. The Stress Response (acute stress)
Anxious behavior, such as worry, activates the stress response, causing many body-wide changes that prepare the body for emergency action – to either fight or flee [1][2].
Visit our “Stress Response” article for a full breakdown of these changes.
Some of these include:
- Quickly converting the body’s energy reserves into "fuel" (blood sugar), giving an instant energy boost
- Increasing heart rate, respiration, and metabolism
- Shunting blood to parts of the body vital for survival—like the brain, muscles, and vital organs—while diverting it from the stomach, skin, and digestive system
- Stimulating the nervous system and increasing nervous system activity
The more intense the stress response, the more dramatic these changes can be.
Because stress pushes the body beyond its equilibrium (balance point), stress itself is physically taxing. Anxiety, by activating the stress response, stresses the body.
This stress burns through energy reserves more quickly, affecting blood sugar and neurotransmitter levels such as dopamine and serotonin. And since the body relies on food as its main energy supply, when energy runs low, the body signals hunger—even if you’ve eaten recently.
Increased stress = increased demand for fuel. Hunger sensations are one of the ways the body communicates this need.
Additionally, stress alters digestive function:
- It slows down digestion
- It increases hydrochloric acid to help break down and eliminate any food in the system more quickly
While these changes can be useful in true emergencies, prolonged stress can create a range of digestive symptoms, such as:
- Constant feelings of hunger
- Bloating, gas, or stomach irritation
- Nausea or sharp/stabbing stomach pains
Once the stomach becomes irritated, it can trigger sensations that mimic hunger, even when fuel isn’t actually needed.
Stress can also cause blood sugar imbalances, which further confuse hunger cues.
Acute anxiety is a common cause of acute hunger symptoms.
2. Hyperstimulation (chronic stress)
If stress responses occur occasionally, the body can recover quickly. But when they happen too frequently—such as during chronic anxiety—the body doesn’t fully return to baseline.
This ongoing activation leaves the body in a semi-stressed state called stress-response hyperstimulation.
Hyperstimulation means the body remains in a state of semi-stress response readiness and never truly “shuts off” its emergency systems [3][4][5][6]. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including persistent hunger and digestive disruption.
Also referred to as:
- Nervous system hyperarousal
- HPA axis dysfunction
- Autonomic nervous system dysregulation
Visit our “Hyperstimulation” article for a full explanation of how this can affect the nervous system, hormones, metabolism, and hunger.
Chronic hyperstimulation is a common cause of:
- Chronic stomach suppression
- Digestive upset
- Blood sugar and hormonal imbalances
Many people with anxiety disorder report ongoing hunger or digestive symptoms caused by long-term nervous system activation.
3. Psychological Causes
Psychological factors can contribute to both the experience of anxiety and eating behaviors:
- Chronic worry and hypervigilance keep the nervous system activated, increasing energy demands and perceived hunger
- Unresolved trauma can lead to emotional eating as a coping tool
- Body image concerns may trigger cycles of restriction, bingeing, and guilt that intensify hunger symptoms
4. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
- Poor sleep disrupts appetite-regulating hormones (leptin and ghrelin), increasing cravings and hunger
- Irregular eating patterns confuse hunger rhythms and can heighten food preoccupation
- Diet culture and social messaging around weight and body image can increase anxiety and eating dysregulation.
Other Factors
Other factors can create stress and cause anxiety-like symptoms, as well as aggravate existing anxiety symptoms, including:
- Medication
- Recreational drugs
- Stimulants
- Sleep deprivation
- Fatigue
- Hyper and hypoventilation
- Low blood sugar
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Dehydration
- Hormone changes
- Pain
Select the relevant link for more information.
Anxiety Tests
Treatment for Anxiety-Related Hunger
Long-Term Recovery
When hunger symptoms are caused or aggravated by anxiety or hyperstimulation, addressing those root causes is essential for lasting relief.
If symptoms stem from acute stress:
- Ending the stress response will allow the body to return to baseline. Recovery may take 20 minutes or more, which is normal and not a cause for concern.
If symptoms are due to chronic hyperstimulation:
- Containing anxious behavior and faithfully practicing recovery strategies will allow the body to recover. As stimulation decreases, all symptoms—including chronic hunger—will subside.
There are no quick fixes for hyperstimulation. Recovery takes time. Symptoms often persist until the body has had time to repair. You must do your recovery work first before the body can fully heal.
Key concepts:
- Acceptance: Passively accept your symptoms without reacting to or resisting them.
- Practice: Continue your recovery strategies even when symptoms persist.
- Patience: Trust that consistent work will lead to results.
- Persistence: The body must recover when the stress load decreases.
Reminder: Focusing on your symptoms intensifies them. Shifting attention to relaxing or enjoyable activities can reduce their impact.
Short-Term Strategies
Some people experience symptom relief with supportive strategies, even before full recovery. Keep in mind that each person responds differently.
- Reduce stress (see 60 Ways To Reduce Stress Naturally)
- Get consistent sleep (6.5–8 hours nightly)
- Practice daily deep relaxation
- Engage in light/moderate exercise
- Enjoy a hobby or creative outlet
- Stay well hydrated (aim for 2 liters of water daily)
- Don’t react to symptoms (containment helps calm the system)
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoid skipping meals
- Sip tea with milk or cream (soothes the stomach between meals)
- Nibble on soda crackers (gentle on the stomach, eases hunger pangs)
- Try antacids (if acid buildup is severe)
- Speak with your doctor (for stubborn or severe stomach issues)
Therapy and Level Two Recovery
Unidentified and unaddressed issues are the #1 reason anxiety disorder and its symptoms persist.
Working on Level Two recovery—addressing core anxiety issues—is essential for lasting success. If you're struggling with worry, containment, symptom fear, or feel stuck, consider working with one of our recommended anxiety therapists.
All anxietycentre.com recommended therapists:
- Have personally experienced and overcome anxiety disorder
- Are highly trained, Master's level or higher
- Understand what recovery truly requires
Therapy is the most effective path to lasting symptom resolution and full recovery from anxiety disorder [7][8][9][10][11].
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety and Hunger
Can anxiety make you feel hungry all the time?
Yes. Anxiety activates the stress response and raises cortisol levels, which can increase appetite, especially for sugary or high-carb foods. Chronic anxiety can also cause nervous system hyperstimulation, which mimics or intensifies hunger cues.
Why am I always hungry when I’m stressed or anxious?
Stress hormones like cortisol signal the body to refuel quickly, making you crave energy-dense foods. At the same time, anxiety can override your natural fullness cues, causing you to feel hungry even if your body doesn’t need food.
Is emotional eating the same as anxiety-related hunger?
Not exactly. Emotional eating is often a response to emotional discomfort like sadness, loneliness, or boredom. It can also be related to reward-seeking. Anxiety-related hunger is driven more by the body’s stress response and can feel urgent, physical, and hard to ignore—even shortly after eating.
How can I tell the difference between real hunger and anxiety hunger?
Physical hunger builds gradually, responds to a variety of foods, and stops when you’re full. Anxiety hunger tends to come on suddenly, often includes cravings for comfort foods, and persists even after eating. It’s also more likely to occur during times of high stress or worry.
Can anxiety mess with your hunger hormones?
Yes. Chronic stress and anxiety can increase cortisol and ghrelin (the hunger hormone) while lowering leptin (the fullness hormone). This imbalance can make you feel hungry more often and less satisfied after eating.
Does anxiety affect digestion and appetite at the same time?
Absolutely. Anxiety can cause both increased hunger and digestive issues like bloating, nausea, or stomach pain. It can also lead to loss of appetite in some individuals—especially during acute anxiety or panic episodes.
Can calming anxiety help reduce constant hunger?
Yes. When you calm your nervous system—through breathing, regular meals, therapy, and rest, you reduce cortisol, rebalance appetite hormones, and make it easier to recognize true hunger signals.
Can chronic anxiety cause chronic hunger symptoms?
Yes, chronic anxiety can cause persistent hunger symptoms—even when your body doesn’t actually need food. When anxiety becomes long-lasting, it keeps the nervous system in a state of overactivation, known as hyperstimulation. This state affects the body’s digestive system and hormone regulation.
One common result is suppressed digestive function. Chronic anxiety can reduce the production of digestive enzymes and stomach acid, which can lead to poor digestion, bloating, and acid reflux. These digestive disruptions often cause sensations that mimic hunger pains, such as stomach discomfort, burning, emptiness, or nausea—even if you’ve just eaten.
Additionally, chronic anxiety can lead to:
- Increased cortisol levels, which stimulate appetite
- Blood sugar imbalances, which trigger false hunger cues
- Stomach lining irritation, which creates sharp or gnawing pain often mistaken for hunger
These combined effects can make you feel like you’re always hungry, even when your body isn’t asking for fuel. Fortunately, as anxiety and hyperstimulation subside, these hunger-related symptoms also fade.
Prevalence
In an online poll we conducted, 50 percent of respondents said they felt constantly hungry due to their anxiety.
- 30 - 40% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
- 20–30% of individuals with anxiety report emotional eating or disordered eating behaviors.
- Women and adolescents are more likely to report anxiety-driven appetite changes, possibly due to hormonal sensitivity and societal pressures.
When to Seek Help
Consider reaching out if:
- You’re always hungry, even after eating
- Hunger leads to frustration, guilt, or anxiety
- Anxiety is affecting your digestion, appetite, or emotional balance
- You feel overwhelmed by body or food-related thoughts
- You want support managing anxiety or regaining control
Support is available—and effective.
Help from an experienced anxiety disorder therapist can guide you through anxiety and hyperstimulation resolution, including the symptoms they produce. Therapists who specialize in anxiety recovery can also assist with cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes essential for lasting relief.
Help from a Nutrition Science Practitioner, such as Liliana Tosic, can support recovery from persistent and stubborn stomach or digestive issues. Nutritional counseling tailored to anxiety-related digestion challenges can make a meaningful difference, especially when symptoms are resistant to standard approaches.
Conclusion
Anxiety and hunger are deeply connected through the stress response, hormone regulation, digestion, and nervous system sensitivity. You are not imagining your symptoms, and you are not alone.
By reducing anxious behavior, reducing stress, addressing hyperstimulation, and practicing steady recovery strategies, your body can—and will—recover. Relief is not only possible…it’s expected with the right tools and support.
With understanding, action, and time, you can break the cycle and feel well again.
Common Anxiety Symptoms
Additional Resources
- For a comprehensive list of Anxiety Disorders Symptoms Signs, Types, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
- Anxiety and panic attacks symptoms can be powerful experiences. Find out what they are and how to stop them.
- How to stop an anxiety attack and panic.
- Free online anxiety tests to screen for anxiety. Two minute tests with instant results. Such as:
- Anxiety 101 is a summarized description of anxiety, anxiety disorder, and how to overcome it.
Return to our anxiety disorders signs and symptoms page.
anxietycentre.com: Information, support, and therapy for anxiety disorder and its symptoms, including anxiety and hunger symptoms.
References
1. Chu, Brianna, et al. “Physiology, Stress Reaction.” StatPearls, 7 May 2024.
2. Godoy, Livea, et al. "A Comprehensive Overview on Stress Neurobiology: Basic Concepts and Clinical Implications." Frontiers In Behavioral Neuroscience, 3, July 2018.
3. Elbers, Jorina, et al. "Wired for Threat: Clinical Features of Nervous System Dysregulation in 80 Children." Pediatric Neurology, Dec 2018.
4. Yaribeygi, Habib, et al. “The Impact of Stress on Body Function: A Review.” EXCLI Journal, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, 2017.
5. Z, Fatahi, et al. "Effect of acute and subchronic stress on electrical activity of basolateral amygdala neurons in conditioned place preference paradigm: An electrophysiological study." Behavioral Brain Research, 29 Sept. 2017.
6. Teixeira, Renata Roland, et al. “Chronic Stress Induces a Hyporeactivity of the Autonomic Nervous System in Response to Acute Mental Stressor and Impairs Cognitive Performance in Business Executives.” Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2015.
7. Hofmann, Stefan G., et al. “The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-Analyses.” Cognitive Therapy and Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Oct. 2012.
8. Leichsenring, Falk. “Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy the Gold Standard for Psychotherapy?” JAMA, American Medical Association, 10 Oct. 2017.
9. DISCLAIMER: Because each body is somewhat chemically unique, and because each person will have a unique mix of symptoms and underlying factors, recovery results may vary. Variances can occur for many reasons, including due to the severity of the condition, the ability of the person to apply the recovery concepts, and the commitment to making behavioral change.
10. Kingston, Dawn.“Advantages of E-Therapy Over Conventional Therapy.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 11 Dec. 2017.
11. Markowitz, John, et al. “Psychotherapy at a Distance.” Psychiatry Online, March 2021.