The 'Cuddle Hormone' Might Help America Take on the Obesity Epidemic
The brain chemical oxytocin appears to make people feel full and reduce overeating. Can it encourage weight loss?
Scientists suspect that one element of the obesity epidemic is that the brains of obese people respond differently to images of delicious, calorically dense foods. Obese individuals’ brains seem to light up at the sight of donuts, pizza, and other calorie bombs, even when they’re no longer hungry.
Some studies have suggested that this heightened activity might predispose people to overeating. Today, of American adults are obese, and obesity is the leading cause of cancer among Americans, replacing smoking, within five or 10 years. (Though it’s still not clear
