Random Thought on Ghrelin

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

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So one of the reasons me and many others want to get into medicine is because of our endless curiosity. For example, and the reason I'm posting this, ghrelin is produced by the stomach and subsequently heads up into the hypothalamus and makes you hungry (which if I'm reading this correctly may in turn release orexin increasing hunger). (Also, this is the stuff in psych 101 that's interesting!)

So in bypass surgery this part of the stomach (that produces this hormone ghrelin) is shut off and the person eats less.

Also, under maslow's hierarchy this is the number one item of importance, even below the need to feel safe.

So, what if we made something that would bind itself to ghrelin, without performing bypass surgery? Or better yet, let's just synthesize some leptin (opposite of ghrelin and acts on the same receptors in the brain) and juice some obese people up with this stuff.

What would happen then?
Is this even ethical?
Should I consult something more than my psych book?

Alright, appreciate any responses guys. I posted this out of curiosity while studying for this course and noticing some of those around me.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

Maybe I got something wrong?

 

[allantois]

So one of the reasons me and many others want to get into medicine is because of our endless curiosity.

I'm feeling less and less curious about things with each semester 😀

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

Okay, if you guys think this is really out there I'll just take the thread down. 🙁

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Maybe I got something wrong?

your sincerity kills me and i'll give you a serious response

So one of the reasons me and many others want to get into medicine is because of our endless curiosity. For example, and the reason I'm posting this, ghrelin is produced by the stomach and subsequently heads up into the hypothalamus and makes you hungry (which if I'm reading this correctly may in turn release orexin increasing hunger). (Also, this is the stuff in psych 101 that's interesting!)

So in bypass surgery this part of the stomach (that produces this hormone ghrelin) is shut off and the person eats less.

Also, under maslow's hierarchy this is the number one item of importance, even below the need to feel safe.

So, what if we made something that would bind itself to ghrelin, without performing bypass surgery? Or better yet, let's just synthesize some leptin (opposite of ghrelin and acts on the same receptors in the brain) and juice some obese people up with this stuff.

What would happen then?
Is this even ethical?
Should I consult something more than my psych book?

Alright, appreciate any responses guys. I posted this out of curiosity while studying for this course and noticing some of those around me.

the real reason people lose weight in bypass surgery is because they can't eat anymore. there are hormonal factors too but they're not well understood.

So, what if we made something that would bind itself to ghrelin, without performing bypass surgery? Or better yet, let's just synthesize some leptin (opposite of ghrelin and acts on the same receptors in the brain) and juice some obese people up with this stuff.

hormones aren't that easy to make, are expensive, and this hormonal axis is very heavily researched but poorly understood

Is this even ethical?

that's what pharmaceuticals are chief

Should I consult something more than my psych book?

do you really think cutting edge endocrine information is to be found in a psych textbook for undergrads?

listen man, I applaud your curiosity and asking these questions is a good thing. a really good thing, even. keep it up. but you should really take your thought process further independently. consult wikipedia. pubmed. do your own research. if you've truly identified a knowledge gap, well buddy go advance humanity and make some $

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Okay, if you guys think this is really out there I'll just take the thread down. 🙁

now i feel bad, we're just fcking with you

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

your sincerity kills me and i'll give you a serious response



the real reason people lose weight in bypass surgery is because they can't eat anymore. there are hormonal factors too but they're not well understood.


hormones aren't that easy to make, are expensive, and this hormonal axis is very heavily researched but poorly understood


that's what pharmaceuticals are chief


do you really think cutting edge endocrine information is to be found in a psych textbook for undergrads?

listen man, I applaud your curiosity and asking these questions is a good thing. a really good thing, even. keep it up. but you should really take your thought process further independently. consult wikipedia. pubmed. do your own research. if you've truly identified a knowledge gap, well buddy go advance humanity and make some $

Yeah, you're right.

I'll get back to studying.

Thanks for the response.

 

[ridethecliche]

Renin-angiotensin-ALDOSTERONE!

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

. I don't think this issue is currently well understood.

I think it's because so much is at play. For example a lack of sleep results in less leptin, which results in a tired person making poorer more calorie rich food choices.
-Also, for some reason one has to recall when they last ate. If you don't you will eat again.

-Let's say there is a person who can't satisfy anything on the Hierarchy chart (maslow) except eating

Due to stress you eat more and more.

The social impact of being obese means you will never have friends. Is it a never ending cycle at that point. Your tired, depressed, your hormones are out of whack..........

I'm sure it's covered well somewhere though.

 

[Ismet]

-Let's say there is a person who can't satisfy anything on the Hierarchy chart (maslow) except eating

Well that person would be dead.

The social impact of being obese means you will never have friends.

Did you learn that in psych class?

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

Well that person would be dead.



Did you learn that in psych class?

HaHa! That's pretty funny (seriously I laughed out loud and gave you a like). You realize that was a oversimplification in order to advance the idea, a for the sake of the argument, so to speak.

-And you're right too simple. The person has achieved Psychological and Safety.

 

[WillburCobb]

...to advance the idea...

There's an idea to advance?😕

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

The Social Effects of Obesity.

Socially toxic: Due to treatment and feelings about self.
Most people know the stereotype: slow, lazy, and undisciplined. (straight from the book here)

Studies have found:
Less likely to make as much as equal counterparts (Gardner and Tockerman, 1994)
Less likely to be married (Gortmaker et al., 1993)
Less likely to land the job after an interview (Regina Pingitore and her colleagues, 1994)
"Weighty decisions" occur everywhere and affects women more (Roehling et al., 1999, 2007)
Overweight women are underrepresented among CEO's & political candidates (in the U.S.) (Roehling et al., 2009, 2010)
Children scorn overweight children and normal weight children who associate with them (Penny & Haddock, 2007; Puhl and Latner 2007)
Obese 6-9 year olds suffer bullying at a rate 60% higher than normal (Lumen et al., 2010)
More likely to have depression (de Wit et al., 2010)
etc.

I have nothing against those who have a serious medical issue. I just used the facts presented to me and perhaps was a little too blunt.

There's an idea to advance?😕

No, just random rambling I guess.

I was going to just take this thread down (based on the overwhelmingly negative responses) and realized I don't have that ability.

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

An interesting aspect of Ghrelin is that it is thought to heighten cognitive ability in addition to its known effect on hunger. When you think about evolution, that makes a lot of sense because if you're a cave-man and you need food, it would be helpful if you could think more clearly about how you will catch your food. Nowadays, you can use this to your advantage; if you're a little hungry going into your test, you might think a bit more clearly.

I too have thought about the implications of Ghrelin and its effects, but mostly because as an undersized, skinny football player, I was looking for something that would be helpful in increasing my appetite so I could gain weight. Alas, it would be unwise to interfere with a finely tuned hormonal balance, not to mention probably not too practical.

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

An interesting aspect of Ghrelin is that it is thought to heighten cognitive ability in addition to its known effect on hunger. When you think about evolution, that makes a lot of sense because if you're a cave-man and you need food, it would be helpful if you could think more clearly about how you will catch your food. Nowadays, you can use this to your advantage; if you're a little hungry going into your test, you might think a bit more clearly.

I too have thought about the implications of Ghrelin and its effects, but mostly because as an undersized, skinny football player, I was looking for something that would be helpful in increasing my appetite so I could gain weight. Alas, it would be unwise to interfere with a finely tuned hormonal balance, not to mention probably not too practical.

Hmmmmm..........................

Maybe I should cut back on the Ramen during finals week.

I'm going to try this on a test and see how I do! (joking)