Cannabis Stimulates Appetite by Activating Hypothalamic Cells, Study Finds

Findings could inform future treatments for appetite disorders, including anorexia and weight loss.

Washington State University researchers have discovered that cannabis stimulates appetite by activating specific hypothalamic cells in mice, potentially paving the way for new treatments for appetite disorders.
The researchers used calcium imaging technology to observe that cannabis activated a set of cells in the hypothalamus when the rodents anticipated and consumed food.
The study found that the cannabinoid-1 receptor, a known cannabis target, controlled the activity of a well-known set of “feeding” cells in the hypothalamus, called Agouti Related Protein neurons.
When these neurons were turned off, cannabis no longer promoted appetite, indicating a direct correlation between these neurons and the appetite-stimulating effects of cannabis.
The findings could inform future drug research in the treatment of anorexia and weight loss.