Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Physiology of Taste01:24

The Physiology of Taste

8.4K
The perception of a salty flavor is facilitated by sodium ions within the oral salivary fluid. Upon consumption of a salty substance, salt crystals disassemble, leading to the liberation of its constituents—Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions subsequently dissolve into the salivary fluid present in the oral cavity. The external environment of the gustatory cells experiences an elevation in Na+ concentration, thereby establishing a potent concentration gradient. This gradient propels the...
8.4K
Taste Buds and Receptors01:20

Taste Buds and Receptors

6.0K
Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...
6.0K
Cognitive Dissonance01:38

Cognitive Dissonance

38.0K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
38.0K
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy01:24

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

703
Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) are grounded in the belief that our thoughts profoundly influence our emotions and actions. Advocates of CBT emphasize three core assumptions: first, that cognitions are identifiable and measurable; second, that they are central to psychological functioning; and third, that irrational or maladaptive beliefs can be replaced with rational and adaptive ones. This transformative approach to therapy has paved the way for specific models such as Albert...
703
Counterfactual Thinking01:19

Counterfactual Thinking

404
Counterfactual thinking is a cognitive process wherein individuals mentally reconstruct alternative versions of past events, often beginning with “what if” or “if only.” This reflective mechanism plays a significant role in shaping emotional experiences and guiding future behavior. Though typically triggered by unfavorable or unexpected outcomes, counterfactual thinking can also emerge in mundane, everyday decisions and experiences, revealing its deep entrenchment in...
404
Framing Effects03:26

Framing Effects

8.1K
Information is everywhere and its presentation—such as how and when items are presented—can impact our perceptions and decisions surrounding the info. This broad concept umbrellas framing effects—influences that occur due to the way information is framed in its appearance, whether it’s purely the order or the specific wording of a message. Let’s take a look at numerous ways in which two versions of something can objectively say the same thing, yet we respond in...
8.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Glutamine: A misunderstood amino acid with therapeutic potential.

Nutrition and health·2025
Same author

Many foods are more acid-forming than acid-alkaline formulas indicate.

Nutrition and health·2023
Same author

Curcumin/Turmeric: Their Effect on Serum Uric Acid Remains Unknown.

Journal of dietary supplements·2020
Same author

Neural Transmission from Oropharyngeal Bitter Receptors to the Medulla is Partially or Completely Labelled-Line.

Natural product communications·2019
Same author

Devil's Claw to suppress appetite--ghrelin receptor modulation potential of a Harpagophytum procumbens root extract.

PloS one·2014
Same author

Bitter tastants alter gastric-phase postprandial haemodynamics.

Journal of ethnopharmacology·2014

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants
18:01

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants

Published on: August 18, 2008

14.8K

Bitters: Time for a New Paradigm.

Michael K McMullen1, Julie M Whitehouse2, Anthony Towell3

  • 1Life Force Research, 45930 Ljungskile, Sweden ; Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London W1B 2HW, UK.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : Ecam
|June 16, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Bitter herbs like gentian and wormwood trigger cephalic responses that aid digestion by influencing heart rate and vascular tone. This challenges purely local theories, suggesting a new evidence-based approach to bitter plant pharmacology.

More Related Videos

Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice
07:31

Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice

Published on: January 7, 2019

8.8K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms in Fruit Flies — Genetic Models and Behavioral Tests
08:30

Author Spotlight: Exploring Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms in Fruit Flies — Genetic Models and Behavioral Tests

Published on: September 6, 2024

2.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants
18:01

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants

Published on: August 18, 2008

14.8K
Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice
07:31

Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice

Published on: January 7, 2019

8.8K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms in Fruit Flies — Genetic Models and Behavioral Tests
08:30

Author Spotlight: Exploring Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms in Fruit Flies — Genetic Models and Behavioral Tests

Published on: September 6, 2024

2.9K

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Plant-based medicine
  • Human physiology

Background:

  • Bitter plants are crucial in traditional medicine for managing dyspepsia.
  • The exact mechanism of action for bitter compounds is debated, with theories focusing on cephalic-vagal or local responses.
  • Previous research suggests bitters can influence postprandial (after-meal) gastric hemodynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cephalic phase responses to bitter compounds.
  • To determine if bitter substances elicit cardiovascular changes in humans.
  • To differentiate between cephalic and local mechanisms of bitter plant action.

Main Methods:

  • Participants were administered encapsulated caffeine, gentian, or wormwood.
  • Cardiovascular parameters such as heart rate and vascular resistance were monitored.
  • Responses were analyzed during the gastric phase following administration.

Main Results:

  • Caffeine and coffee increased heart rate, indicating functional gastrointestinal bitter receptors.
  • Gentian and wormwood increased vascular resistance, suggesting a sympathetic reflex.
  • Encapsulated gentian and wormwood did not elicit significant cardiovascular responses during the gastric phase, unlike caffeine.

Conclusions:

  • Bitter compounds can elicit cephalic phase cardiovascular responses that influence digestive activity.
  • The findings support a dual mechanism involving both cephalic and local effects of bitter plants.
  • This research provides a foundation for an evidence-based understanding of bitter plant pharmacology.