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It's a combination of things. Ketosis does play a role, but the brain and gut work together to regulate hunger. The gut can stimulate hunger signals when empty and signal satiety when full, helping to regulate energy and metabolism in the body. There are more vagus nerves traveling from stomach-to-brain than brain-to-stomach, hence the term 'second brain' and 'gut feeling'.

The studies on hunger pangs seem limited; of the primary hormones involved in hunger is ghrelin, often called the "hunger hormone," which is produced in the stomach and signals the brain to increase appetite. However, ghrelin levels can rise even when you ignore your hunger, leading to increased hunger over time, but this does not mean that the feeling of hunger will persist indefinitely without any change in these hormonal signals.

Why? Perhaps our stomach can disassociate much like ours brain, especially when "needs" are not being met. It would serve us poorly as hunter-gatherers to be too hangry or cramped up when we go through a period of fasting/famine.

jb55 7mo ago

yeah hunger feels like an early warning signal so that it doesn’t have to switch over to ketosis?

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Discussion

Static Drifter 7mo ago

Not necessarily because you can be satiated with fats and protein far more effectively. I think its a "don't starve to death" reptile brain response. You body isn't in a fight to stop ketosis, its a natural part of our energy cycle. It just so happens in our society carbs are more readily available, they were gar harder to get in the paleo times.

Most hunger (in the Standard American Diet) would be due to insulin spikes and crashes.

Tip: if you find your sleep is lowering in quality while doing this try having a teaspoon of honey (with equal amount of MCT oil if available) right before bed. The good source of carbs provides necessary building blocks for brain recovery.

Jim 7mo ago

I'm mostly carnivore and spend a lot of time in medium ketosis, but still get hungry. Like someone else said I think hunger is mostly mental. My longest fast is 4 days, after the first 24 hours I really didn't feel hungry. Be careful breaking your fast, bland food in all amount. Something like two fried eggs no seasoning or a bit of chicken. A large meal with lots of seasoning is guaranteed to put you in the 🚽 for an extended period of time.