Can Stress Make You Happy and Hungry

Ghrelin was named in 1999 by researchers as a hormone that not only signals our bodies when we are hungry, but also could be a side effect of what its real job is which is to control stress. It's thought to be an evolutionary survival mechanism from our early ancestors that helped them find food and hopefully kept them from becoming their prey's dinner instead.

Do you find yourself heading to the frig in stressful situations? Maybe the new diet you started as a New Year's resolution has once again fallen short on expected weight loss. There is a good reason for that and it all comes down to prehistoric man and their fight to survive in an unkind, unforgiving world. Their version of fast food on the run and much more dangerous than a Big Mac.

Early man had to be on their toes constantly as they searched for their next meal. Hunting in those early days required deep concentration. Eyes wide open with every human sense on alert for their dinner or danger lurking in their environment. Walking around in a daze with no energy would not have been helpful and probably would have increased their chances of not seeing the next day. Ghrelin is what kept them motivated as they searched for food and kept them focused on the task at hand.

Social anxiety or stress can also generate this Ghrelin. An uncooperative co-worker, the boss that likes to bully or just feeling stressed out can increase levels of ghrelin and they can remain high for weeks. That certainly could explain why those who feel stressed or bullied feel hungry all the time. If you resist eating during those times, high levels of ghrelin can actually help you in confronting the person who created the stress or anxiety by allowing you to do so in a calm and more effective way.

Researchers think regular secretions of this Ghrelin can be addictive. That may explain why those who are anorexia have such a hard time recovering from this disease. Levels of ghrelin increase before we eat a meal and will decrease after we eat. Those doing research on Ghrelin believe higher levels can also make us happy. It appears to have a sort of antidepressant effect on the brain.

This could be why a normal reaction in times of stress and anxiety is to head for the frig or junk food drawer. Comfort foods to ease our pain and hunger.

Ghrelin receptors can be found on cells located in the pituitary gland that secrete growth hormones. They are also produced by cells lining the stomach and cells in the pancreas that stimulate hunger. Ghe means to grow. It is one of several hormones that can communicate with the brain and relay the state of the bodies energy balance to the brain.

One possible outcome that could be realized from the research on Ghrelin is a possible vaccine that could erase obesity world wide. An anti-obesity vaccine has been developed that prevents ghrelin from getting to the central nervous system which in turn creates weight loss.

However, don't hold your breath waiting for a vaccine to make you skinny. Exercise and smart eating habits have always been and will continue to be beneficial for a quality life. A vaccine that may take off the pounds but it will do nothing for keeping muscles strong or give you all the benefits to the body exercise and intelligent choices of the food we put into our mouths will.

So the next time you feel hungry, remember those who had to search for their food in a heightened state of awareness. What they passed on to us may be why we have an ability to survive hard times when we need to be focused to what may be around the corner. A good dose of Ghrelin can do the body good in more ways than one.

R. Bowen, Ghrelin, Colostate.edu

Robin Nixon, Feeling Hungry Can Make You Happy, MSNBC

Scientists Test Anti-Obesity Vaccine, Physorb.com