We've all been there. You're in the middle of your day, trying to get things done, and suddenly, you feel it—a pang of hunger so sharp that it's more than just a craving. You're not just hungry; you're irritated, snappy, and everything around you seems to test your patience. What started as a slight grumble in your stomach has turned into full-on rage. Now you don't even know whether you are hangry or angrier, or maybe something weirdly in between. This crazy jumble of emotions is what people refer to as being "hangry," a bright and clever portmanteau of the words "hungry" and "angry." Wanting to eat something is a little different, though, from being hungry enough that you start to feel it seep into your mood and your patience. Most people have; if they haven't, then there's probably a good chance that you know someone who has.What is Hangry, really?Being "hangry" isn't exactly a medical diagnosis, per se, but it is most definitely a real phenomenon.Some folks just get angry or irritable or even emotional if they don't eat for some time. The presentation of hanger varies from person to person: some lash out in frustration while others may feel anxious, feel down, or totally crazed. Some people might even feel this way if they do not eat enough during the day. But why does hunger cause such an emotionally evocative feeling? What is the physics behind it? As explained by experts, hanger is triggered by a biochemical reaction in your body, especially once your blood sugar levels have dropped. Without food intake, your blood sugar (glucose) levels drop low. Since glucose is the primary fuel for your brain, the situation starts getting out of hand when it does not get its due.How You Become Hangry?The moment your blood sugar drops, it triggers a cocktail of hormones that balance things out in your body.Among these two other vital players are stress hormones: cortisol and adrenaline. One is termed the "stress hormone" as it's one released at moments of stress to help you cope while the other is your "fight-or-flight" hormone. Both of them are released into your blood to help raise and stabilize your blood sugar levels. These stress hormones, however, will also mess with your emotional regulation. Cortisol can trigger aggression in some; one's lower brain functions interfere with higher brain activities like that which guides impulse control and emotion regulation. In other words, when your body runs low on fuel, you're left with a rage in the throes of said irritability and crankiness-the kind we've all come to refer to as hanger. Let's find out why your stomach growling can turn into you growling, and how to tame the inner beast of hunger.The Inner Beast: The Science Behind Why Your Stomach Growling Can Turn into You Growling and How to Calm It DownRole of Serotonin: Your Gut's Secret WeaponOne of the major players in the control of your mood is the chemical that most people have heard of called serotonin. This is known as the "feel-good" chemical. An astonishing 90% of serotonin is produced in your gut, not your brain. So if your gut is well-fed, it will churn out plenty of serotonin, which will keep your mood level and hold the bright smiling side of you in place. Dotted lines connect the nerves via pathways of neurotransmitters, including serotonin. When you skip meals, your gut's serotonin production slows down.Without enough serotonin, your mood becomes volatile- something like a cranky toddler who overslept: cranky, cranky, uncooperative. That is why you don't really care if your partner is breathing too loudly until you get hungry.Blood Sugar: A Rollercoaster RideYour brain needs glucose to operate. Low blood sugar will make you function as though you were trying to run a smartphone on 1% battery if it works at all, things don't work quite the same.Your brain can't do decision-making, impulse control, or regulate your emotions. And low blood sugar can even trigger the release of cortisol and adrenaline that leaves you feeling more stressed than when you started. Low serotonin levels paired with more stress hormones mean that when the pangs of hunger catch you, you may feel like snapping at everyone in line. A study published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience revealed that the gut can send distress signals to the brain, influencing mood regulation and stress responses. Another Cell study has demonstrated how disruptions in gut health could alter mood and behavior, thus underlining the radically intertwined nature of the brains and the digestive system.Next time you get angry because you skipped breakfast, it's just biology being a little dramatic.Other Effects of Being Way Too HungryHunger does not make all individuals respond in a similar manner. While not every individual becomes hangry, all people are affected by hunger in different ways. Some may become tired, drowsy, or unfocused. Others may become clumsy or notice a surge in mistakes. Those who do not have control over their temper and lack impulse control are still far more susceptible to hangriness. While there is no direct link between multiple episodes of hanger and personality disorders, hunger has many negative physical ramifications other than causing a short temper. Hunger is how your body lets you know it needs to be fueled; depriving your body of fuel for too long has emotional and physical aftermaths. Regardless, whether you feel hangry or just a little cranky when you haven't eaten, learn how to pay attention to the signs your body is giving you and fuel it with balanced meals. Regular feeding in addition to adding some mood-stabilizing foods to the diet can help control those pesky hunger-induced mood swings.Hangry Cure: Five Foods to the Rescue1. Bananas – Rich in natural sugars and fiber, bananas will give you a quick energy boost while stabilizing your blood sugar. 2. Nuts and Seeds – Almonds or sunflower seeds have protein and healthy fats that satisfy hunger for longer.3. Greek Yogurt – High on proteins and probiotics, Greek yogurt supports your gut well-being and satisfies your hunger pangs.4. Chana (Roasted Chickpeas) – A popular Indian snack, roasted chana is a high-protein, fiber-rich option that can provide long-lasting energy5. Poha – This Indian dish is lightweight and nutritious, offering balanced carbohydrates with the help of fiber that can quickly satisfy hunger.