Cracking the Code of Cravings: Endocannabinoids and the Hypothalamic Appetite Nexus

A complex metabolic condition i.e. obesity is linked to a number of health issues, such as Diabetes, metabolic dysfunctions and cardiovascular disorders etc. Body weight control has often been misunderstood, with eating habits and exercise levels portrayed as personal preferences, usually associated with self-control or lack thereof. However, obesity is more than just a matter of choice in food habits, it is characterized by an excess of macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue, adipocyte hypertrophy, and disruptions in normal metabolic functions. An important contributing factor to the rising prevalence of obesity is disturbed eating patterns, frequently driven by cravings rather than actual hunger. Hypothalamus, particularly the arcuate nucleus plays an important role in regulating hunger and energy homeostasis in the body. The arcuate nucleus regulates appetite through two primary pathways: the orexigenic (appetite-stimulating) and anorexigenic (appetite-suppressing) systems. Remarkably, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a key role in modulating both homeostatic and non-homeostatic aspects of food intake through its cannabinoid receptor 1 and 2 by interacting with various hypothalamic regions controlling hunger feeding patterns of hedonic and reward feeding. This review focuses on the role of ECS control on hypothalamic regulation of appetite, & hedonic or reward feeding patterns. A deeper understanding of these pathways is essential for addressing the growing prevalence of obesity and its associated health risks.