Nutropioids, Hedonism in the Gut?

The opioid system plays a pivotal role in how our brain regulates hedonic components of ingestive behavior. Duraffourd et al. (2012) add the gut to this opioid landscape, demonstrating direct activation of periportal mu-opioid receptors by food-derived opioid peptides (nutropioids), and a gut-brain feedback spiral that culminates in enhanced satiety.