Introduction

This module deals with the role of the hypothalamus in the control of eating behavior.

Research has demonstrated that the hypothalamus is a key control center for motivated behavior aimed at satisfying our physiological needs for food, water, sex, etc.

How do we know this? It isn't easy to study the role of the hypothalamus in humans. Since it would be unethical to experiment with the brains of living humans, our information comes primarily from persons who have suffered damage to the hypothalamus in accidents, or who have developed brain tumors that press against the hypothalamus.