If you feel like you’ve been snacking more than usual, a recent study suggests your munchies are being caused by a lack of rest.
Photo by delta_avi_delta.
The study, led by Erin C. Hanlon, Ph.D. and Esra Tasali, MD, and published in the journal Sleep, suggests that not getting enough rest can increase your appetite and make you more prone to needless snacking.
During the study, researchers found elevated levels of the chemical signal endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), which is believed to increase appetite, in the blood of participants who didn’t get enough rest the night before. The same participants who didn’t get enough rest also reported being hungrier throughout the day, and had a harder time resisting snacks.
According to this study, the effect of being under-rested is similar to the way marijuana affects the same chemical signal and causes the “munchies”. So, if you’re worried about your excessive snacking, getting more restful sleep might be the medicine to cure your munchies. You can learn more about the study at the link below.
Sleep Restriction Enhances the Daily Rhythm of Circulating Levels of Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol [Sleep via Entrepreneur]
Comments