Your brain and the things that go on in your brain can have a big impact on your body. Weight, hunger, sleep patterns and even your risk for diabetes can be affected by brain processes. This week on Health Watch, we’ll look at some research into how your brain affects your physical health — and vice versa.

You may have noticed that you tend to eat more when you feel stressed. We even talk about “comfort food” that makes us feel better when life is difficult. Researchers at
UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that stress eating isn’t just a psychological response. It’s part of a chemical process that may help protect against depression and anxiety. Dr. Jeffrey Zigman, a UT Southwestern doctor who works in psychiatry and internal medicine, says signs of depression and anxiety decrease when levels of a hunger hormone rise. Next, we’ll talk more about these findings.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/mentalhealth to learn more about
UT Southwestern’s clinical services in mental health.