Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
12:09
Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
Published on: March 19, 2014
The Endogenous Opioid System in Compulsive Eating
Aneesha Janbandhu1, Caden Leung2, Evelyn Wu3
1Leigh High School, 5210 Leigh Ave., San Jose, CA 95124, USA.
Brain Sciences
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Dysregulated opioid signaling, particularly involving mu-opioid receptors (MOP), contributes to compulsive eating and binge-eating disorder (BED). Targeting opioid-dopamine interactions may offer new obesity and BED treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Obesity and binge-eating disorder (BED) rates are rising, linked to disrupted neural pathways regulating food reward.
- The endogenous opioid system is implicated in mediating pleasure and reinforcement from food intake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the role of opioid peptides and receptors, and their interactions with dopamine, in hedonic feeding.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a narrative review of preclinical and clinical trials.
- Included studies relevant to opioid-mediated feeding and food reward.
Main Results:
- Opioid peptides like beta-endorphins and enkephalins modulate food's hedonic value and motivational drive.
- Nociceptin signaling is linked to palatable food consumption in binge-like conditions; NOP antagonism reduced high-fat diet intake.
- Chronic mu-opioid receptor (MOP) activation leads to neuroadaptations similar to substance use disorders, including reward hypofunctionality.
Conclusions:
- Altered MOP signaling disrupts hedonic and behavioral feeding regulation.
- Pharmacological interventions targeting opioid-dopamine pathways show potential for treating obesity and BED.
- Further research is needed on peptide-specific mechanisms, sex differences, and long-term neurobiological effects.
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