The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is the part of the brain that controls the desire to eat. When this

structure is stimulated, a rat will eat without becoming satiated. The ventromedial hypothalamus

(VMH) is the part of the brain that controls satiety. When this is stimulated, a rat will starve to

death, acting as though it has eaten and does not need food.

Lateral hypothalamus (LH) gives one a Large Hunger, or the desire to eat.

Ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) gives one Very Minute Hunger, or the feeling of satiety.

Research on the role of the hypothalamus in weight control has raised hope of a weight-control

pill that triggers the appropriate part of this region of the brain either to feel hungry or satiated.

1. Why would such a pill be popular?

How would this pill affect the eating habits of people over time?

What might be some long-term health effects of this pill?

The pill that triggers the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) would be popular because it would make dealing with weight problems and eating disorders much easier. For example, people who suffer from obesity would take this pill in order to feel satiated from a small amount of food and thus lose weight.

Over time, this pill might lead to abuse, similarly to the way self-induced vomiting is used by people who suffer from bulimia nervosa. For example, People might decide to consciously eat too much food during festive seasons, such as Christmas holidays, and then later just take a pill to lose the weight they gained. Naturally, this can lead to negative long-term health effects, because people would consume a large amount of sugar and fat during festivities, and then miss out on important nutrients later, because they would it less.