Which hormone secreted by the stomach signals hunger to the brain?

• A. Leptin
• B. Insulin
• C. Ghrelin
• D. Cortisol

Answer: (C)

Ghrelin is produced by the lining of the stomach and acts as the brain’s hunger signal. It travels to the hypothalamus and stimulates appetite, especially right before meals, encouraging you to eat. This makes ghrelin the direct link from the stomach to the brain when you feel hungry.

Leptin comes from fat tissue and signals the brain about energy stores, promoting fullness rather than hunger. Insulin is released by the pancreas after you eat to manage blood glucose and also has satiety effects, but it is not the stomach’s hunger signal. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can influence appetite in various ways, not the primary stomach-to-brain hunger cue.