High levels of ghrelin (a hormone) have antidepressant effect, a new study suggests
The levels of a hormone known as ghrelin greatly increase when our bodies want more calories for themselves. Ghrelin is known as a hunger inciter but according to a new research it may be a reaction of its basic job as a stress-buster.
Researchers used different methods, like prolonged calorie restriction, ghrelin injection and genetic modification, to manipulate ghrelin levels in mice.
It was found that Mice with limited ghrelin activity looked depressed and when they were pushed into water, they didn’t make any effort to swim and in maze they stickled to the entryway. They were also more involved in themselves when they were placed with other mice. And it was also noted when a low-dose of antidepressant was given to them, these behaviors began to get reverse.
