Worms could be a good research model for understanding the endocannabinoid system—and possibly developing better drugs. Worms exposed to a cannabinoid exhibit behavior similar to humans experiencing 'the munchies,' suggesting that they could be a useful model for studying the endocannabinoid syst
Worms exposed to a cannabinoid show heightened food preferences, displaying behavior akin to humans experiencing “the munchies,” according to a study led by neuroscientist Shawn Lockery at the University of Oregon. The research highlights the potential of using worms as a model for understanding the endocannabinoid system, a signaling network that regulates various body functions such as appetite, mood, and pain sensation.
The study, led by neuroscientist Shawn Lockery in the College of Arts and Sciences, points to worms as a useful tool for understanding more about the many roles thatnaturally play in the body. And it could help researchers develop better drugs that target this system. He and his team published their findings on April 20 in the journalThe endocannabinoid system is a far-reaching signaling network that helps regulate key body systems like appetite, mood, and pain sensation.
The idea wasn’t totally out of left field. Research in the Lockery lab focuses on the neurobiology of decision-making, using athat eats bacteria as a simple system to test hypotheses. He often uses food choice experiments, tempting the animals with bacterial blends to see which they prefer under different conditions.
In the T-maze experiment, under normal conditions, the worms indeed preferred the higher-quality food. But when soaked in anandamide, that preference became even stronger — they flocked to the high-quality food and stayed there longer than they usually did. “The endocannabinoid system helps make sure that an animal that’s starving goes for high fat and sugar content food,” Lockery said. It’s one reason why, after consuming cannabis, you’re more likely to reach for chocolate pudding, but not necessarily hungry for a salad.
The similarity in response between worms and humans also suggests that worms can be a useful model for studying the endocannabinoid system.
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