Our food choices are not solely based on taste or nutrient needs but are also shaped by subconscious signaling from our body, including waves of hormones and electrical signals that change the way our brains work. These signals influence the decisions our brains make, even in areas far below our conscious perception.
The gut communicates with the brain through mechanosensors that detect the mechanics of the gut, signaling to the brain to stop eating behavior or activate the "vomit center." Additionally, the gut sends chemical signals about the nutrients present to neurons in the brainstem to regulate digestion.
This podcast episode explores the connection between dopamine and our desire for food, as well as how dopamine levels can trigger vomiting. It also discusses Parkinson's disease, which is linked to a dopamine deficiency in the brain.