Introducing Sedatic Hunger: Eating To Survive, Not to Savor.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review introduces Sedatic Hunger as a distinct and underexplored form of hunger. Unlike physiological or hedonic hunger, Sedatic Hunger refers to a neutral, function-oriented motivation to eat-driven by biological need without the pursuit of taste, pleasure, or emotional satisfaction. The purpose of this review is to conceptualize Sedatic Hunger, differentiate it from other hunger types, and highlight its clinical and societal relevance.

Recent findings: Emerging clinical observations suggest that individuals with depression, restrictive dietary habits, or those under chronic stress may experience Sedatic Hunger. These individuals consume food purely for energy, with limited sensory or emotional engagement. The article outlines preliminary efforts to develop the Sedatic Hunger Scale (SHS) to assess this construct, aiming to quantify how biological, psychological, and cultural factors intersect in this form of eating behavior. Sedatic Hunger expands our understanding of human motivations for eating by focusing on biologically driven but emotionally neutral food intake. Its recognition may improve approaches in mental health, dietary counseling, and nutrition science. Future research directions include identifying biological markers, evaluating the effects of sensory deprivation, and exploring cross-cultural differences in the manifestation of Sedatic Hunger.