Which hormone induces satiety?

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Understanding how the body regulates long-term energy balance helps explain satiety signals. Leptin, produced by adipose tissue in proportion to fat stores, travels to the hypothalamus and activates receptors that reduce appetite and increase energy expenditure. This makes it a key long-term satiety signal: when fat stores are sufficient, leptin levels rise and feeding decreases.

Ghrelin comes from the stomach and stimulates appetite, signaling hunger. Secretin mainly helps digestion by promoting pancreatic bicarbonate secretion. Cholecystokinin, released after meals in response to fats and proteins, can promote a short-term feeling of fullness by slowing gastric emptying and signaling via the vagus nerve. However, leptin uniquely conveys information about overall energy reserves to the brain and drives sustained satiety, which is why it is the best answer.