M3A1: The Effects of Food on the Brain

Define and explain the following concepts: neurons, “encoded” for palatability, “orosensory self-stimulation,” opioid circuitry, “nucleus accumbens,” “taste-specific satiety,” “hedonic hot spot,” dopamine, “attentional bias,” “conditioned stimulus,” “incentive salience,” “hot stimulus,” “functional connectivity,” “action schemata,” and habits.  Explain the roles of each of these factors with regard to eating, overeating, and obesity.  Explain the relationship between each of these factors and the brain.  Describe in detail the process that occurs in the brain when we eat foods that are highly palatable.

Write a 500 word paper to address the questions above.  You are required to cite your sources in the body of your text properly, include a reference page, and use APA style.