cannabisnews.com: Marijuana-Like Substance in Brain Trigger Appetite Marijuana-Like Substance in Brain Trigger Appetite Posted by FoM on April 11, 2001 at 11:58:32 PT The Associated Press Source: ABC News Scientists have found that marijuana-like substances naturally produced in the brain stimulate appetite a finding that not only offers clues to treating obesity but also explains why pot smokers get the "munchies." The study suggests that these endocannabinoids are part of the brain's complex system for controlling when and how much to eat. Scientists have known for several years about the existence of these substances, which are chemically similar to the active ingredient in marijuana but do not make people high. However, their exact role in the brain was unclear. In a study in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature, researchers found that mice that had been genetically altered so they could not respond to endocannabinoids ate less than normal mice did. The mice lacked "receptor" structures that endocannabinoids activate in the brain. And when ordinary mice were given a substance that blocked endocannabinoids from acting at these receptors, they ate less than normal as well. The findings help explain why marijuana users get a ravenous hunger the "munchies" after smoking pot. "We know that the marijuana that gets absorbed activates these receptors, and now we show that activation of these receptors is involved in the increase of appetite," said Dr. George Kunos, who led the study as scientific director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at the National Institutes of Health. "It was assumed that was probably correct. This just provides the evidence." Moreover, Kunos said, the study also suggests that endocannabinoids are part of the complex neural circuitry controlled by leptin, a hormone that tells the brain when it is time to lose weight. Already, leptin is known to reduce levels of several other appetite-enhancing substances. It is unknown how endocannabinoids are created by the body, or precisely how they work. But the study found they can operate independently of the level of certain other appetite-triggering substances. That suggests it is unlikely that efforts to control weight gain or loss with any single drug will be effective, Kunos said. Others agreed. "It suggests that it will probably not be possible to deliver, in a pharmaceutical sense, a single magic bullet or knockout punch against these systems in the brain, since they are so highly redundant and backed up," said Dr. Rudy Leibel, head of molecular genetics at Columbia University.Source: Associated PressPublished: April 11, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Associated PressJournal Naturehttp://www.nature.com/nature/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on April 11, 2001 at 13:05:07 PT: Life without Cannabinoids Anorexia, depression, pain of a pervasive nature throughout the head and body, diarrhea, bronchoconstriction, glaucoma, nausea, inflammation, and countless other chronic ills. Sound good? Why don't we recommend such treatment for prohibitionists? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Sudaca on April 11, 2001 at 13:02:06 PT Does this imply ... that cannabinoid receptors being so pervasive and redundant throughout the human brains, and apparently necessary for the correct functioning of the nervous system.. cannot be effectively controlled with a magic pill that takes the high away? I've seen some indications that the more hardcore Drug Warriors are looking for something like that for "mandatory treatment" purposes.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on April 11, 2001 at 12:56:38 PT: Place This in Context The endocannabinoids are indeed a basic component of our hunger mechanisms. Without them, we'd all wither and die. Infant rat pups fail to grow without them, as demonstrated by research by Ester Fride at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. It is likely that humans are no different in this regard. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by jAHn on April 11, 2001 at 12:26:48 PT American Research... ...It just seems that This Organization does this study which is proved effortless and unworthy by that study which is then completed over by some Gov. study which is (like D.A.R.E.) too flawed to be taken into serious account, so where do we go? How about this study...oops...that one, I meant Well! The two studies absorbed money from the State Taxpayers, who do we believe? How about that study... ...whoa whoa whoa...This one, I meant. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: