Huberman Lab

Dr. Zachary Knight: The Science of Hunger & Medications to Combat Obesity

721 snips
Jun 17, 2024
Guest
Zachary Knight
Dr. Zachary Knight, a UCSF physiology professor and expert in hunger neuroscience, shares fascinating insights on how our brains regulate hunger and satiety. He discusses the impact of dopamine on cravings and the rise of obesity influenced by genetics and processed foods. The conversation also covers revolutionary medications like GLP-1 agonists, explaining their role in weight loss and appetite control. Knight clarifies the intricacies of hunger mechanisms and highlights the importance of understanding food choices for better health.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Brain's Food Intake Regulation

  • The brain regulates food intake using short-term and long-term systems.
  • The short-term system, located in the brainstem, controls meal size, while the long-term system, in the forebrain, tracks body fat and overall energy needs.
INSIGHT

Leptin's Role in Body Fat Regulation

  • Leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells, signals body fat levels to the brain.
  • The brain uses leptin levels to adjust hunger, energy expenditure, and other processes related to energy balance.
INSIGHT

AGRP Neurons and Appetite

  • AGRP neurons in the hypothalamus play a crucial role in the appetitive phase of feeding, driving the search for food.
  • These neurons predict how much food will be eaten before consumption, integrating information about hunger, food palatability, and accessibility.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app