Your Brain’s “Meal Memory” Settles Hunger—Not Your Stomach.

A 2025 study from the University of Southern California discovered that neurons in the ventral hippocampus store detailed memories of meals—what you ate and when. These brain “engrams” communicate with hunger centers, helping you feel full between meals. When these memory traces are disrupted—by distraction, injury, or memory issues—you’re more likely to overeat, even if you’ve eaten recently  .

This rewrites our understanding of hunger: it’s not just about blood sugar or stomach signals, but about recalling that you already ate. For those struggling with hunger between meals, boosting meal awareness could be as vital as eating choices.

Try mindful eating—focus on your food, eat without distractions, and take a moment to mentally note that you’re full. Strengthen that meal memory to help curb overeating later in the day.