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Related Concept Videos

Self-Regulation01:25

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose01:02

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose

Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
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Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State

The postabsorptive state usually starts about four hours after a meal and lasts until the next meal is eaten. During this time, the digestive system stops absorbing nutrients, and the body uses stored energy reserves to maintain stable blood glucose levels.
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Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli
08:01

A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli

Published on: August 12, 2016

Does the brain consume additional glucose during self-control tasks?

Robert Kurzban1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. kurzban@psych.upenn.edu

Evolutionary Psychology : an International Journal of Evolutionary Approaches to Psychology and Behavior
|September 6, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Self-control may not rely on glucose as a depletable resource. Current evidence suggests glucose levels are not significantly reduced by self-control tasks, challenging popular resource models.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Physiology

Background:

  • A popular self-control model suggests resource depletion limits performance.
  • Glucose has been recently proposed as the key resource for self-control.
  • This model requires self-control tasks to reduce glucose levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the glucose-as-a-resource model of self-control.
  • To examine if self-control exertion depletes glucose levels.

Main Methods:

  • Review of neurophysiological evidence.
  • Analysis of existing studies on glucose levels and self-control tasks.
  • Consideration of fasting status in relation to glucose changes.

Main Results:

  • Neurophysiological evidence challenges the idea that self-control tasks reduce glucose relative to control tasks.
  • Evidence for glucose reduction relative to pre-task levels is mixed and potentially dependent on fasting status.
  • Glucose may function as an input for decision-making rather than a performance constraint.

Conclusions:

  • The glucose-as-a-resource model for self-control is not well-supported by current evidence.
  • Alternative perspectives on glucose's role in decision-making and self-control are warranted.