All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Nighttime hunger is a sign of psychological problems
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Many women, as well as men, quite often experience a very strong desire to have a snack in the middle of the night or, at least, to have a hearty dinner before going to bed. This condition has a special medical name - night sleep syndrome (NSS).
This condition was first identified and described in 1955 by scientist Stankard-Gress Wolf. The specialist noted a bad mood, irritability, and anxiety in people who liked to snack at night. Such people experience a disruption of their hormonal background, biological clock, and metabolic process, which results in emotional instability (hypoglycemia).
According to statistics, 10% of the world's population suffers from night appetite syndrome, gender does not matter here, both men and women suffer from this disease equally. At first glance, there is nothing special about it, but NAS causes serious harm to health and reduces the quality of life. First of all, the digestive system suffers, due to improper diet, a person is prone to flatulence, constipation. At night, all processes in the body slow down, including digestion, a heavy dinner before bed does not allow the body to recover normally during night sleep, which leads to depletion of vital forces.
There are several symptoms that can help identify SNA:
- lack of appetite in the morning;
- increased appetite in the evening;
- the amount eaten is not controlled;
- at night there is a sudden feeling of hunger;
- frequent awakenings, restless, anxious sleep.
American scientists, in the course of certain studies, tried to find out the reason for such a condition. They noticed that SNA increases the number of serotonin transporters in the brain, and this leads to a disruption of the functions that are responsible for satiety. In addition, an increased number of transporters worsens the chemical composition of the brain, which causes a state of anxiety, restlessness, depression, hostility. To this is added a feeling of guilt of the person himself for such behavior and the inability to change anything. Such a condition is fraught with serious psychological problems.
According to statistics, this condition begins after a severe stressful situation in a person's life. Also, the cause of SNA can be an innate feeling of anxiety, which disappears after eating. Also, experts do not exclude a hereditary factor and hormonal imbalance. A very strict diet can lead to this condition, after which a breakdown occurs and a person literally pounces on everything edible. Inadequate, improper nutrition (fast food), etc. also provokes the development of SNA.
To solve the problem, you need the help of a specialist, first you need to contact a therapist. A good specialist will help to find out the cause of sleep apnea and prescribe the appropriate therapy. Also, the help of a psychotherapist and nutritionist will not be superfluous. A psychotherapist will help to establish the psychological problem that caused sleep apnea, will offer solutions. A nutritionist will adjust your diet and eating regimen if sleep apnea was caused by improper nutrition. The therapist will conduct some research, determine the state of hormones, in case of any violations, prescribe treatment that will help the body return to a normal lifestyle.