The are of the brain that was stimulated is dubbed the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, appears to control cravings

Sep 16, 2014 22:03 GMT  ·  By

A recent paper details how, using magnetic stimulation of the brain, a team of scientists turned hypnotists managed to get women to crave foods packing plenty of calories.

As detailed in the study, available in the September issue of Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Behavioral Medicine, the part of the brain that was stimulated is dubbed the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC, for short).

The specialists behind this research project experimented on a total of 21 healthy women, who all started craving calorie-dense snacks and found themselves eating more such foods after their DLPFC was toyed with.

Specifically, it was discovered that magnetic stimulation-induced decreased activity in the DLFC went hand in hand with a stronger craving for junk food and an inability to stop eating after taking just a few bites, Newswise informs.

The researchers believe that the 21 women displayed these behavioral changes because the magnetic stimulation of their DLPFC birthed reduced self-control and made them more sensitive to the pleasure derived from eating such foods.

“These findings shed a light on the role of the DLPFC in food cravings (specifically reward anticipation), the consumption of appealing high caloric foods, and the relation between self-control and food consumption.”

“Interventions focused on enhancing DLPFC activity, through aerobic exercise or other means, may result in increased dietary self-control and subsequently improve disease management,” specialist Peter Hall with the University of Waterloo in Canada and colleagues explain the importance of this study.