To make important decisions hungry not recommended scientists, as a fasting person can make a mistake, what then comes to regret.
Sometimes each of us acts rashly, and then scolds himself for the impulsiveness and lack of patience, eat before an important event, writes the Chronicle.Info with reference to the Telegraph.
Don’t want to regret? Eat before an important event! Researchers from the Academy of Sahlgrenska at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) found that the peptide hormone ghrelin, which is produced when we are hungry, stopping to make rational decisions. Lab rats that were administered ghrelin, were more prone to impulsive actions.
From time to time each of us acts rashly, and then scolds himself for the impulsiveness and lack of patience. It does not cause much discomfort, but sometimes the impulsivity is one of the main components of ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse.
Earlier studies found a link between impulsive behavior and food, but its mechanism has still not been proven.
A new study published in the journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, has filled this gap. The researchers have traced how the hormone ghrelin affect impulsivity in rats.
Ghrelin is a hormone produced in the gastrointestinal tract, which acts on the Central nervous system. It is produced when the stomach is empty. After the stomach is filled, the production of ghrelin stops. Ghrelin is preparing the body to food intake and affects cells of the hypothalamus, causing feelings of hunger. But the role of ghrelin does not end there. He is also involved in the regulation and control of behavior by means of positive reactions on consumption of food, alcohol and drugs.
To measure impulsive behavior, Swedish researchers used rats. First, animals were trained to press a lever to get a treat as a reward, and then encouraged them to refrain from pressing for a larger, but delayed rewards.
During the experiment, ghrelin was administered directly into the brain of rats, artificially causing a feeling of hunger. It turned out that increasing the level of this hormone leads to the failure to wait and increases the likelihood of impulsive behavior.
The level of ghrelin increases even during short fasting, but if its concentration is increased during long time, it can cause long-term changes in the networks of the brain, influencing impulsivity and the ability to make informed decisions.
In the future the obtained results should help scientists in the development of new psychotropic drugs for the treatment of obesity, addiction and other mental disorders, accompanied by impulsive, but now you can control your actions a little snack before an important event.
