Study cravings by cannabis

02/26/2015

Certain nerve cells, which are normally polarized to curb appetite, can, with the help of cannabinoids, have the opposite effect, triggering cravings. German and US scientists have come to this conclusion in the context of a recent study. However, as the researchers report in the journal "Nature", this only applies if cannabis is consumed in low doses.

Cravings even occur when the stomach is filled
Cannabinoids are found in the hemp plant and are biochemical messengers that transmit stimuli between nerve cells. So that her message can be read in the stimulus-receiving cell, she has a kind of recording device, the so-called cannabinoid receptors. "It has long been known that consumers of marijuana develop cravings. The effect occurs even when your stomach is well filled. With the cannabinoid 1 receptor, the receptor responsible for the appetite-stimulating effect is known, "said neuroanatom Marco Koch in a statement from the University of Leipzig. However, it is still unclear which mechanisms are actually responsible for the cravings - an aspect that would continue to provide for controversial discussions in research.

Cannabinoids release the "hunger hormone" beta-endorphin
In the hypothalamic area of ​​the brain, there is a group of specialized nerve cells that become active after a meal and trigger satiety. These are so-called pro-opiomelancortin-containing nerve cells or short POMC neurons. They reduce their appetite by releasing a specific hormone. "Because completely saturated mice continued to eat after cannabinoid injections, we naturally assumed that this would eliminate the appetite-suppressing POMC neurons," continued Koch,

Surprisingly, however, they found that the POMC neurons by no means switched off, but on the contrary actually fueled even activated hunger. The cannabinoids puffed up the POMC neurons and made them release the hungry hormone beta-endorphin as a messenger - thereby further feeding on the already saturated mice. "For control, we blocked the beta-endorphin receptors before we injected the cannabinoids. And indeed, then the mice have not eaten anymore, "wreathed Koch.

Possible help for obesity treatment
The findings of the researchers could possibly find a medical application in the field of overweight and obesity, according to the scientist, because at the University of Leipzig would be busy for some time, how the human brain controls the eating behavior. "Our results may help develop therapies to treat eating disorders," said Koch.

Picture: NicoLeHe