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126

Cannabis activates specific hunger neurons in brain (news.wsu.edu)

submitted 2 years ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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While it is well known that cannabis can cause the munchies, researchers have now revealed a mechanism in the brain that promotes appetite in a set of animal studies at Washington State University.

The discovery, detailed in the journal Scientific Reports, could pave the way for refined therapeutics to treat appetite disorders faced by cancer patients as well as anorexia and potentially obesity.

After exposing mice to vaporized cannabis sativa, researchers used calcium imaging technology, which is similar to a brain MRI, to determine how their brain cells responded. They observed that cannabis activated a set of cells in the hypothalamus when the rodents anticipated and consumed palatable food that were not activated in unexposed mice.

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[–] Marsupial@quokk.au 13 points 2 years ago (4 children)

How’s this work with those of us who eat less when stoned?

[–] TIMMAY@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

You are demon spawn and will be cleansed by the holy light of eternal munchies

[–] tryptaminev@feddit.de 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Did you consider emotional issues that are less present when high and otherwise drive you to eat when sober?

[–] Marsupial@quokk.au 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It's possible, but I feel like I eat smaller than average amounts when sober anyway.

[–] theskyisfalling@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 years ago

I thought I was the only one! People always look at me weird because when I'm hungry I smoke a bit and the hunger is gone for a while!

[–] tpyoman@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Fuck you dude, I keep getting fat and there's you.....

[–] Marsupial@quokk.au 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Sorry mate, have you tried smoking meth?

[–] ItsAFake@lemmus.org 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I used to fall asleep when I did meth a few times, never got the revved up manic shit everyone else did.

[–] Marsupial@quokk.au 4 points 2 years ago

I just stayed up all night and connected with/made the best friend in the world as we talked all night. No fucking idea who he was and never saw him again, 10/10.

[–] WeeSheep@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Ah, you misunderstand, I eat nearly constantly when I'm sober/not high. When I'm high I'm finally ok without eating constantly. I'm already fat.