Food advertising targets the same neural pathways as food itself. Viewing food images activates reward-related brain regions and raises measurable markers of appetite — salivation among them — a response researchers call visual hunger. Conditioned food cues do this independently of whether you are actually hungry. Your cravings after seeing an ad aren’t genuine hunger; they’re manufactured desire.
This companion covers the neuroscience of food cues, advertising techniques, and reducing exposure. (4 min read)
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