Endorphinergic mechanisms in the control of food and water intake

The recent discovery of opiate receptors and endogenous opiates (endorphins) within the brain has led to a variety of speculations concerning the physiological significance of these mechanisms. One suggestion has been that endorphinergic mechanisms may be involved in the control of food and water intake. Administration of drugs believed to block opiate receptors has been shown to reduce food and water intake in experimental animals while opiate agonist drugs can, under certain conditions, increase eating and drinking. It has also been shown that endorphin levels in the brain and pituitary may change with food deprivation and in obese animals. The evidence is therefore consistent with a role for endorphins in the control of appetite. However, it will be for future research to define more precisely the nature of the mechanisms involved.