Researchers at the University of Gothenburg show that mice that receive a supplement of the "appetite hormone" ghrelin increase their sexual activity. Whether the hormone has the same impact on humans is unknown, but if it does, the researchers may have found the key to future treatments for sex abuse.
Ghrelin is a gastrointestinal hormone that is released from the stomach, and is involved in the stimulation of appetite by activating the brain's reward system.
Since the brain's reward system also motivates us to seek a partner and to have sex, a group of researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy decided to investigate whether ghrelin may also affect sexual behaviors.
Confirmed effect
The answer is yes, at least in mice.
In the study, the researchers show that when mice receive a supplement of ghrelin, they increase their sexual activity and their efforts to find a partner. The effect is confirmed in a follow-up experiment, where mice that received a ghrelin inhibitor instead decreased their sexual activity.
"It is already known that ghrelin affects the reward mechanisms that are triggered by food, alcohol and other addictive drugs. Our study now shows for the first time that ghrelin also plays a role in natural reward mechanisms like sex," says Elisabet Jerlhag, researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy.
More research is needed
The studies show that the effects of the ghrelin are conveyed via dopamine, which is a known and important messenger in the brain's reward system. The researchers' conclusion is that both ghrelin and dopamine regulate normal sexual behavior in mice.
"However, this does not mean that ghrelin fills the same function in humans. Finding out requires significantly more research in the area. But ghrelin inhibitors may potentially be a key to future treatments for sex addiction and sex abuse," says Elisabet Jerlhag:
"Addictive behaviours, including sex abuse, are one of our major social problems, and there is a great need for new treatment strategies. Hopefuly, our results can add another piece of the puzzle to this work," says Elisbet Jerlhag.
Explore further: Ghrelin stimulates an appetite for drinking alcohol
More information: "The role of ghrelin signalling for sexual behaviour in male mice." Addiction Biology, DOI: 10.1111/adb.12202
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Researchers at the University of Gothenburg show that mice that receive a supplement of the "appetite hormone" ghrelin increase their sexual activity. Whether the hormone has the same impact on humans is unknown, but if it does, the researchers may have found the key to future treatments for sex abuse.
Ghrelin is a gastrointestinal hormone that is released from the stomach, and is involved in the stimulation of appetite by activating the brain's reward system.
Since the brain's reward system also motivates us to seek a partner and to have sex, a group of researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy decided to investigate whether ghrelin may also affect sexual behaviors.
Confirmed effect
The answer is yes, at least in mice.
In the study, the researchers show that when mice receive a supplement of ghrelin, they increase their sexual activity and their efforts to find a partner. The effect is confirmed in a follow-up experiment, where mice that received a ghrelin inhibitor instead decreased their sexual activity.
"It is already known that ghrelin affects the reward mechanisms that are triggered by food, alcohol and other addictive drugs. Our study now shows for the first time that ghrelin also plays a role in natural reward mechanisms like sex," says Elisabet Jerlhag, researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy.
More research is needed
The studies show that the effects of the ghrelin are conveyed via dopamine, which is a known and important messenger in the brain's reward system. The researchers' conclusion is that both ghrelin and dopamine regulate normal sexual behavior in mice.
"However, this does not mean that ghrelin fills the same function in humans. Finding out requires significantly more research in the area. But ghrelin inhibitors may potentially be a key to future treatments for sex addiction and sex abuse," says Elisabet Jerlhag:
"Addictive behaviours, including sex abuse, are one of our major social problems, and there is a great need for new treatment strategies. Hopefuly, our results can add another piece of the puzzle to this work," says Elisbet Jerlhag.
Explore further: Ghrelin stimulates an appetite for drinking alcohol
More information: "The role of ghrelin signalling for sexual behaviour in male mice." Addiction Biology, DOI: 10.1111/adb.12202
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Genetic changes behind sweet tooth
Apr 04, 2011
The substance ghrelin plays an important role in various addictions, such as alcoholism and binge-eating. It also impacts on sugar consumption, which is due, in part, to genetic factors, reveals new research from the University ...
Ghrelin stimulates an appetite for drinking alcohol
Oct 29, 2014
Ghrelin is a hormone released by the stomach and it stimulates appetite and food intake. Alcohol is commonly viewed as a psychoactive substance that primarily affects brain function, but it is also a highly caloric food.
Discovery may provide new treatments for alcohol dependence
Jun 30, 2009
Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have discovered a new brain mechanism involved in alcohol addiction involving the stomach hormone ghrelin. When ghrelin's actions in the brain are ...
Hunger hormone in infancy may link to lifelong obesity risk
Jan 20, 2015
Our subconscious motivation to eat is powerfully and dynamically regulated by hormone signals. The gut-derived hormone ghrelin is one such key regulator, promoting appetite through its effects on neurons ...
Ghrelin increases willingness to pay for food
Jul 12, 2011
Research to be presented at the upcoming annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB), the foremost society for research into all aspects of eating and drinking behavior, suggests that ghrelin, ...
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1 hour ago
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Immunotherapy inhibits heroin effects in research animals
Jan 20, 2015
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