Understanding cravings in binge eating and bulimia nervosa

Researchers want to understand how cravings work in people with binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa. This pilot study will test a theory called the 'metacognitive hub model,' which suggests that cravings result from the interaction between your automatic thoughts, your body's signals, and your ability to understand your own thinking patterns. By studying this in people with eating disorders, scientists hope to develop better treatments.

Cravings are known to be a major factor in addiction, but we don't fully understand how they work in eating disorders. This research aims to fill that gap by studying whether the same craving mechanisms that apply to substance addiction also apply to binge eating and bulimia nervosa, which could lead to better treatments.