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.

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.

  • otp
    3·
    10 months ago

    Had studies like this already found the same mechanisms?

      • otp
        3·
        10 months ago

        Yes. That’s what science is about…lol

          • otp
            1·
            10 months ago

            Some people also “know” that going outside with cold hair causes people to catch a cold, but that’s not true.

            In addition, studies help determine to what extent and effect happens. Studies also help determine what and where any edge cases might be, which can be important for treating illnesses, for example.