Ghrelin, widely recognized as the hunger hormone, is now under the spotlight for its role in mental health. Recent studies suggest that this metabolic signal may influence mood, especially in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). This connection between ghrelin and emotional states reveals new possibilities for understanding the gut-brain axis.
Ghrelin levels rise during fasting – but what happens to mood?
A recent clinical study led by Dr. Fahed explored how acylated ghrelin levels respond to short-term fasting and how this affects emotional well-being. After a 12-hour fast, patients with elevated ghrelin levels reported experiencing more positive emotions and fewer negative ones. Notably, this effect was strongest in untreated MDD patients, suggesting ghrelin may act as a natural mood modulator.
This link supports ongoing research into how metabolic changes influence brain function, and highlights ghrelin as a promising biomarker in psychiatric studies.
Supporting depression and metabolism research
To achieve accurate, reproducible results, the researchers used the Bertin Bioreagent Acylated Ghrelin (Human) Easy Sampling ELISA Kit. This kit is designed for:
- Easy handling with microtubes
- High sensitivity in detecting low hormone levels
- Reliable data from human plasma samples
For a deeper look into the study, access the full Application Note in our Application Center.