Cannabis as a new secret weapon against Obesity

The body’s own Endocannabinoids control our saturation

Signals between the gut and the brain are in control of how, when, and how much we eat. The molecular mechanisms that lead to this signal transmission, are currently being investigated in more detail. An American research team showed that a fat – and sugar-rich diet is a fault in this Transfer and that of the body are involved in their own Endocannabinoids to signal transmission. The Team is convinced that Cannabis is an effective means of combating Obesity lies dormant.

Researchers from the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside have found in a diet study in mice found that overactive Endocannabinoid signals in the gut to block the feeling of satiety in the brain. Overactivation triggered by an energy-rich diet, which included a lot of fat and sugar. The research team now wants to investigate whether the Cannabis active ingredient Tetra hydro canabinol (THC) is to calm down the overactive signals. The results of the study were recently presented in the journal “frontiers in Physiology”.

The Endocannabinoid System is still largely unexplored

The Endocannabinoid System is part of the human nervous system. The Name is attributed to the Cannabis Plant, its active ingredients to the discovery of the system of people. The exact function of the system is currently not finally clarified. It is known that the Endocannabinoid System is involved in numerous physiological processes such as pain perception, sleep induction, appetite, temperature control, and the Regulation of the immune system. The Californian research team looked at in their study, the influence of Endocannabinoids on digestion, and found that these play a key role in the saturation.

Such as fat and sugar, the saturation block

The researchers fed mice for 60 days with fat – and sugar-rich food that is typical of the Western diet. They investigated whether changes in the physical signals. It showed that the body’s own Endocannabinoids in the gut by the energy-rich food were excessively activated. This led to an inhibition of the hormone Cholecystokinin, which triggers the brain to saturation. The mice showed a reduced feeling of satiety and ate an unusual amount of, which ultimately led to Obesity.

New approach to combat Obesity

“If there were a medication, the peptides in the inhibition of Saturation of fat and zuckkereichem food picks up, we would be in the fight against obesity a major step forward,” says biomedical scientist Nicholas V. DiPatrizio, who heads the research team. The group would now like to get a better understanding of how certain components of the Western diet lead to a Dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system and gut-brain signal transmission.

Can prevent Cannabis being Overweight?

DiPatrizio reported that the consumption of Cannabis leads to an increased appetite. Paradoxically, was connected to the long-term consumption of Cannabis, however with a decrease in the body weight. According to the researchers, long-term cannabis users showed improved metabolic parameters, such as, for example, a higher density of HDL, often referred to as “good cholesterol”. The Team DiPatrizio now wants to investigate whether the long-term consumption of Cannabis improved the metabolic health. “We will also be investigating how Cannabis affects the maintenance of blood sugar,” announces the expert in a press release. The American government showed great interest in the results and promotes the upcoming studies, with 744.000 of dollars. (vb)