BRAIN FOOD FOLLIES

There's been much in the news about the medicinal benefits of marijuana.
But who would have thought a ballyhooed side-effect of the illicit drug
could help researchers seeking a cure for obesity or eating disorders?

U.S. researchers have found that chemicals naturally produced by our brains
called endocannabinoids help stimulate appetite. They're closely related to
the chemicals in pot, and explain why users get the "marijuana munchies,"
an intense craving for food.

A study published in the science journal Nature speculates that
cannabinoids play a role in the complex chemical regulation of food intake.

We expect it's only a matter of time before someone with an eating disorder
seeks access to medical marijuana, or an obese person launches a legal
action against a dealer.