As a former smoker (decades ago), with a healthy level of vanity, I admit one of the biggest draws that kept me plugged into cigarettes was the fear of packing on added pounds. I kicked the nasty habit anyway, and eventually dropped the added weight.
But for smokers who want to give smoking without gaining weight, here’s hopeful news: a new study has uncovered the brain mechanism that could be targeted for new medications designed to help people quit smoking without gaining weight.
So far the study has only been done on rodents, but scientists say the results are very promising. Here’s how it was done: Researchers at Yale University, who published their findings in The Journal Of Science, discovered that a nicotine-like drug, cytisine, specifically activated nicotinic receptors in the hypothalamus - a brain center that controls feeding in rodents. This resulted in the activation of a circuit that reduced food intake and body fat.
What this means is that if a drug can be developed that prevents cytisine from binding to its hypothalamic receptors, it could do the same for human smokers. In fact, the mouse model allows scientists to explore the mechanisms through which nicotine acts in the brain to reduce food intake.
But why wait? If you want to stop smoking today, speak with your health professional about different cessation programs. (And even if you do gain a few pounds, your doctor will tell you that’s not nearly as bad as smoking.)
Robin Westen is ThirdAge’s medical reporter. Check for her daily updates.
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