Research on the therapy to induce appetite suppression is being conducted at Seoul National University Hospital with Korea Electrotechnolgy Research Institute (KERI). (Credit: Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute)
SEJONG CITY, South Korea — Researchers in South Korea are exploring a futuristic approach to weight management that focuses on the mind instead of the stomach. Specifically, the team is using electrical stimulation to the brain to suppress appetite. This groundbreaking study, led by Dr. Ki-young Shin of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), offers a tantalizing glimpse into a future where controlling our cravings might be as simple as wearing a high-tech headband.
Imagine being able to reduce your urge to snack or overeat without relying on pills or invasive surgeries. That’s the promise of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), the technique at the heart of this research. By delivering gentle electrical currents to specific areas of the brain through the scalp, scientists at KERI believe they can influence the neural circuits responsible for appetite control.
The study, conducted in collaboration with Seoul National University Hospital, focused on a part of the brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This region, located near the front of your head, plays a crucial role in executive functions like decision-making and impulse control. By stimulating this area, the researchers hoped to enhance its ability to regulate eating behaviors.
How does zapping your brain actually work to curb hunger?
The exact mechanisms are still being studied, but scientists theorize that the electrical stimulation may enhance the brain’s natural ability to resist cravings and make more mindful food choices. It’s like giving your willpower a little boost from the outside.
The research’s potential extends beyond just controlling physical hunger. In a society where stress-eating and emotional binge sessions are all too common, the study’s findings on emotional eating are particularly intriguing. Participants reported a significant reduction in the tendency to eat as a way to cope with emotions like stress, anxiety, or even joy.
“Although the technology is not yet complete and needs further research and verification, if this electrostimulation treatment equipment with far fewer side effects than existing obesity treatments is commercialized and can be used at home instead of in hospitals, it will provide an easy and simple method for daily appetite suppression management,” Dr. Shin explains in a media release.
“Especially when people are under stress or difficulty, many people eat food due to emotional hunger, and if digital healthcare technology that combines electrostimulation treatment and exercise therapy is introduced, it will enhance weight loss effects and help individuals manage their health more effectively.”
While the idea of electrical brain stimulation might sound intimidating, the researchers emphasize that the currents used are extremely mild – barely perceptible to the participants. This non-invasive approach stands in stark contrast to more drastic obesity treatments like surgeries or long-term medication regimens, which often come with significant side-effects.
The potential for at-home use is particularly exciting. Imagine a future where managing your weight doesn’t require constant trips to the doctor or reliance on expensive medications. Instead, you might start your day with a quick, painless brain stimulation session, giving you an edge in making healthier food choices throughout the day.
Of course, this technology is not meant to be a magic bullet for weight loss. The researchers stress that it would likely be most effective when combined with other healthy lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and regular exercise. However, for those who struggle with constant food cravings or emotional eating, this could be a game-changing tool in their health management arsenal.
Paper Summary
Methodology
The study involved 60 female volunteers, split evenly into two groups: one receiving the actual tRNS treatment and a control group receiving a “sham” treatment (a placebo version of the stimulation). Participants underwent six sessions of electrical stimulation over two weeks, with each session lasting 20 minutes. The stimulation used a very mild 2 mA current, which is barely noticeable to most people.
Key Results
The group receiving tRNS treatment reported significant reductions in appetite, willingness to eat, and feelings of hunger compared to the placebo group. Notably, the treatment also appeared to help with emotional eating tendencies. While long-term weight loss wasn’t measured in this short study, participants consistently reported feeling less hungry.
Study Limitations
This study was relatively short-term (two weeks) and involved a small, specific group of participants (60 women). Long-term effects and weight loss outcomes were not measured. Additionally, while promising, the technology is still in development and requires further research and refinement before it can be considered for widespread use.
Discussion & Takeaways
The results suggest that tRNS could be a promising tool for appetite management, particularly for those struggling with emotional eating. The non-invasive nature and potential for at-home use make it an attractive alternative to more invasive or medication-based treatments. However, the researchers emphasize that this technology would likely be most effective as part of a comprehensive approach to weight management, including diet and exercise.
Funding & Disclosures
This research was conducted by the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), a government-funded research institute under the National Research Council of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Science and ICT. The study is part of an ongoing project scheduled to complete its first phase in 2024, with plans for follow-up research and potential technology transfer to companies in the future.
