We can forget the grumbling stomach when we focus intensely on doing some intriguing activity.

Usually, whenever we feel hungry, our gut sends a triggering hormone, Ghrelin, notifying the brain that the body needs to refuel. Ghrelin is a substance found in mammals that increase appetite and food intake. It is produced by the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), and when it passes through the blood-brain barrier, it targets a certain region of our brain to stimulate hunger. Then, ghrelin level drops when we satisfy our stomach and will rise again, enough to cause hunger before meals.

However, a study found that hunger has no correlation with ghrelin concentration. It showed that when people are increasing the level of ghrelin or simply fasting, they did not report feeling hungrier than usual. They simply ignore their hunger pangs by distracting themselves through intense activities such as reading a thrilling story.

But, we will eventually remember how hungry we are when are seduced by a strong aroma of a certain food nearby.