We propose here that the brain misinterprets “obesity” for “starvation.” Thus, both obesity and starvation are characterized –among others–by shutting down leptin access toward the brain, insulin resistance, and hypertriglyceridemia, but the compound to fuel neuronal metabolic processes for repair (i.e., ketones) is lacking in obesity. The gene discussed is LEP; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.