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hunger

·May 24, 2023·6 min read

Hunger Games: Ghrelin and Brain Cells Dictate Feeding Behavior

A new study illuminates how the hormone ghrelin, released when hungry, influences feeding behavior in mice. Ghrelin activates specific neurons in the amygdala, a region primarily studied in the context of fear and reward, prompting food consumption and producing sensations of hunger and satisfaction.

This shows a person taking a photo of food.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 22, 2023·7 min read

Viewing Food Images Multiple Times Curbs Appetite

Viewing images of the same food item multiple times can lead to a feeling of fullness. The study found that when participants viewed the same food picture 30 times, they subsequently chose smaller portion sizes compared to those who saw the image just three times.

This shows a drawing of a brain lifting weights.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 20, 2023·5 min read

Exercise Heightens Brain’s Food Cue Reactivity

Exercise appears to amplify the brain's response to food cues, a new study reports. The researchers observed that running increased the reactivity of certain brain regions linked to attention, anticipation of reward, and memory. These changes occurred independently of overall alterations in brain blood flow.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 11, 2023·4 min read

Feeling Hungry? It Might Just Slow Aging

The sensation of hunger itself may slow aging. Researchers discovered that flies induced to feel hungry, either through diet or brain stimulation, lived longer.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 29, 2023·5 min read

New Pill Regulates Appetite by Modulating Ghrelin Release

A new pill, called FLASH, has been developed to regulate appetite without drugs or invasive procedures. Researchers designed the pill to deliver electrical impulses to the stomach lining, modulating hunger-related gut hormones. The pill has been shown to affect the release of appetite hormone ghrelin in pig trials. FLASH could potentially treat various disorders related to metabolism and eating without pharmaceuticals or surgery. The researchers are now conducting additional preclinical testing and aim to start human trials within five years.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 11, 2023·3 min read

Jellyfish and Fruit Flies Shed Light on the Origin of Hunger Regulation

Researchers turn to jellyfish and fruitflies to explore the motivation to feed and shed new light on the mechanisms underlying feeding regulation.

This is a graphical abstract from the study

Featured Neuroscience

·February 23, 2023·5 min read

Leptin Helps Hungry Mice Choose Sex Over Food

When their brains are stimulated with leptin, an appetite-suppressing hormone, hungry mice prioritize mating and interacting with mice of the opposite gender over eating.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 22, 2023·4 min read

Human Body Can Predict Mealtimes

Our bodies can predict the timing of regular meals, a new study reports. Additionally, a person's daily blood-glucose rhythms may be driven by meal size in addition to meal time.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 12, 2022·5 min read

Front-Loading Calories Early in the Day Reduces Hunger but Does Not Affect Weight Loss

Eating your largest meal at breakfast time may help decrease appetite for the rest of the day but it does not affect the way in which the body metabolizes calories in a different way to any other meal.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 31, 2022·5 min read

Cells That Control Hunger Affect Brain Structure and Function

AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus play a critical role in shaping the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex in mice. The findings shed light on how the prefrontal cortex is altered in disorders such as schizophrenia.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 19, 2022·4 min read

Going to the Beach? Planning a Hike? Be Prepared: Men Will Be Much Hungrier!

In males, sun exposure activates the p53 protein which signals to the body to produce the appetite-associated ghrelin hormone. In women, estrogen blocks the interaction between p53 and ghrelin, reducing the urge to eat following sun exposure.

This shows a person holding a piece of cake

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 6, 2022·3 min read

Hunger Really Can Make Us Feel ‘Hangry’

Lab-based studies revealed hunger was associated with increased irritability and stronger feelings of anger, along with a decrease in feelings of pleasure.

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hunger

Hunger Games: Ghrelin and Brain Cells Dictate Feeding Behavior

Viewing Food Images Multiple Times Curbs Appetite

Exercise Heightens Brain’s Food Cue Reactivity

Feeling Hungry? It Might Just Slow Aging

New Pill Regulates Appetite by Modulating Ghrelin Release

Jellyfish and Fruit Flies Shed Light on the Origin of Hunger Regulation

Leptin Helps Hungry Mice Choose Sex Over Food

Human Body Can Predict Mealtimes

Front-Loading Calories Early in the Day Reduces Hunger but Does Not Affect Weight Loss

Cells That Control Hunger Affect Brain Structure and Function

Going to the Beach? Planning a Hike? Be Prepared: Men Will Be Much Hungrier!

Hunger Really Can Make Us Feel ‘Hangry’

Chronic Stress and Depression Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk

Playful Brains: Early Years Play Shapes Children’s Futures

Sleep Struggles Link to Elevated Risk of Hypertension

MDMA Makes People Feel More Connected During Conversations

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