[depressedpanda]

> There are large subjectivities involved, but when I got down to a 22 BMI at one point via the hard work and discipline route, I was constantly overwhelmed with thoughts of food, literally every waking second; this was despite trying and adhering to probably a half dozen different diets. Most people able to maintain a constant 22 BMI don't experience this.

Out of curiosity, what kind of food were you obsessing over, specifically? Why were you craving that kind of food, instead of, say, lettuce?

[scarmig]

For me, it was primarily carbs. Not potato chips or anything particularly greasy, but things like tortillas, rice, noodles, bread, potatoes.

As to why, who knows. I'd be "starving" but have zero desire to eat lettuce, but then jump on the first chance I got to eat a couple cups of rice.

[depressedpanda]

Well, simple carbs (which includes sugar) are highly addictive, so I can't say I'm surprised. Your brain was trying to get you your fix by convincing you that you were starving. In contrast, if you were truly starving you'd eat anything -- including lettuce ; )

So, maybe you already tried that, but there's a psychological/addiction angle that's seldom explored when it comes to simple carbs and obesity.

That said, if there's a drug that you can take that'll numb those cravings down to a healthy level, there's nothing wrong with that.