Addicted to Food?

This week's blog comes courtesy of Discover Magazine's article written by Joseph Castro. In the piece Castro brings to the readers attention the recent discovery that some snack foods release chemicals in our brain that could cause us to be addicted to the junk food we eat. The chemicals released, called endocannabinoids, pose very similar results to those of THC, the active ingrediant in marijauna. The connection between the junk food and endocannabinoids is in the fat and sugar content of the snack.
Lab researchers were able to test this hypothesis in lab rats. Lab rats were given high sugar and high fat drinks, then there endocannabinoid levels were measured. Researchers came to the conclusion that the junk food triggered the release of the endocannabinoids in the stomach, which in turn triggered hormones in the brain. These hormones released told the body to keep eating, creating a "munchy" like affect experienced by marajuana users.

What does this mean?
One of the worst health risk for Americans today is obesity. We have one of the highest obesity levels in the world and because of this our nation sees millions fall every year to heart disease and other complications caused from being overweight. For scientists and researchers, the recent connection made between cannabinoids and high fat diets means possibly creating a drug that could block or mask the effects of endocannabinoids. Doing this would create the ultimate weight control product and hopefully aid in decreasing the nations obesity level.

  

My Reaction?
I think that the obesity epidemic is one of the worst things that has happened to our Nation in the last 50 years. I am all for research and discoveries that could possibly aid people in controlling their appetities and eating habits. But I also believe that one of the main reasons why America is so fat is because we are also lazy. I do not believe that this discovery is going to necessarily cure obesity but I do believe that it may help reduce levels in the future. I think research such as this is vital, though, because anything that will lead people to healthier lifestyles is important.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/?p=18285