wow, this is really interesting…i am surprised that many people would be eager to try this as a pill, fully knowing it may cause depression symptoms. doesnt being depressed cause some people to eat more though, out of stress and lonlieness, etc? so would those who got depressed just want to start eating more?? just a thought.

i like understanding why I have cravings and this is nice that you tied so many studies together. I am going to eat protein for breakfast.

People saying yes to depression have no clue what it takes to be depressed. I am not a big hunger hormone professional (just an old weight loss player). However, there are some other homones taking part in the hunger and weight gain movie (leptin, adenopectin -just to mention a few) as well.

Good point, Jaye C, having been on many diets throughout my life, I can attest to this fact. I can't have any fattening foods in my home given that I can't stop at one or two cookies for instance. Yet, when I deprive myself of all sweets, I get depressed, and if I give in to my yearnings, I instantly feel better—for awhile. Then the cycle repeats itself.
Depression is horrible, and one “gives in” because you can't ever win the battle, seemingly.

I had a surgery called a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. They removed the part of my stomach that produces ghrelin. I have never BEEN so happy as when I wasn't a slave to that hormone….YES it's worth the risk. I do NOT experience depression at ALL and I've eliminated over 250 pounds!

Mmmm…delicious soy free eggs topped with fresh salmon and a side of sliced tomato

Hi Kalyngem, This sounds wonderful. I have spent over $100,000 in my lifetime to lose weight and nothing has ever worked. This sounds amazing. How did you here of it? Are you in Canada? I'd be interested if our insurance would pay for it. Can you tell me more about it? You must feel incredible. I can't imagine. Sincerely………….Catherine

I'm not into taking persciption meds that are optional …however, does it follow that if one eats a high protein breakfast one is more 'depressed' than otherwise? I think not…One could drink 2 cups of green tea with 5-HTP and/or take 400 mg. SAME' to elevate mood if nec.
Just losing weight would be 'high' enough to elevate mmod… Smiles, Windy

I am aware of how Depression feels and I would never take anything to get there again.
Protein for me at Breaky, Pistachios.

I've been following Dr. Joel Furhman's “Eat for Health” program for the past 6 weeks or so, since I saw him lecture. He recommends eating foods that are very high in nutritional value for the calories consumed (nutrient dense foods). If you eat foods with a lot of nutritional “bang for the buck” you will reduce cravings and naturally eat fewer calories.
I haven't lost a lot of weight on his program (yet) but instantly lost all cravings for wheat and sugar and high fat foods when I started giving my body the nutrients it craved. I feel happier and healthier, my digestion has improved, and my skin looks great.
The couple of times I've chosen to eat fatty sweets, the cravings started right back up and I had to stop and get back to the large servings of greens and veggies and fruits to stop them.
I think if you give your body more nutrients (the micronutrients in vegetables, many of which we don't even know about yet), you'll be satisfied and won't suffer from (food-related) depression.

I would't take a pill to lose weight if it was going to result in depression. There are enough “tried and true” ways to lose weight (i.e., fewer calories in, more calories expended) without resorting to something that will make you feel worse than you already feel because of the excess weight! From a social perspective, people are more likely to be drawn to someone with a sunny disposition and a less-than-perfect body than they are to a lovely body with a sad, depressed person inside.

CONGRATULATIONS and good health to you for the long haul. You must be so proud. Glad for you and “keep on keepin' on”. Health is good!

Since it only may cause depression symptoms, I would be willing to give it a try if it would help me finally lose the weight that I need to. I could always stop taking it if it caused any symptoms of depression. I have tried watching my nutrition and exercising and it just hasn't gotten the job done. I don't want to even think about the amount of money I have spent with trainers and doctors trying to find out why I haven't been able to lose the weight.

I have depression and would take a pill in a second if I knew it was effective to lose weight.

I have depression and would take a pill in a second if I knew it was effective to lose weight.

This was an eye opener for me. I lost my appetite over a year ago (I think it may be a result of diet pills in the past). Now I am learning to eat again and it is hard sometimes, but I know it is necessary. Thank you for the information.

After suffering from anxiety and depression I would not do anything to make me feel depressed. I'd rather be heavier than depressed.

I lost a tremendous amount of weight in a short period of time, due to poverty in 2006. And even though I was anxt ridden and all – and hungry, I must say that loosing weight makes me not only hungy, it makes me depressed and even clouds my judgement as I apparently only came into “survival mode”. So no, Id rather have some pounds overweight and emotionally at ease and happy – than skinny and not barely being able to exsist due to depression and anxiety

Would you have to take the ghrelin pills for life? If not, then it would depend on just how bad those feelings would actually be and how long (after I've finished taking the pills) the bad feelings lasted. If after I got to my goal weight and stopped taking the “pills” the bad feelings eventually stopped as well, then I think it would be worth it to get the excessive weight off. Especially if one has tried so many different ways to change their eating habits and failed, this good be a godsend, provided it is not addictive!

I lost 100 pounds in 2004 by eating a LOT of lean protein and moderate exercise. Protein works because it makes you feel full (satisfied) and you can go longer without eating. I eat little carbs because the protein is so satisfying. I've completely lost my taste for pasta, rice and even potatoes. Spaghetti squash is a wonderful too. Good sources of lean protein: turkey jerki, roast beef (not the fatty cuts), smoked salmon, turkey, tuna (no or little mayo, some pickle relish), turkey. Go for 80 – 100 grams of protein a day. That's a lot, but it works. S.

Although the Atkins diet helps me lose weight and feel quite a lot better, I still have too much hunger. I think all my life I must have produced too much ghrelin and still do no matter what, although starches and sugar definitely make me ravenous. So I guess what I think is that one must have just enough ghrelin to not be depressed, but not so much that you can never get your mind off food and thus overeat.

I know that doing something that makes me hungry is itself pleasurable to me. When we talk about a “hungry” new employee, we are referring to someone who likes to work in a focused way to the point of what other, more comfortable employees, think of as discomfort. If you've ever moved residence, you know there is a point in the work where discomfort/hunger and exhilaration are evenly balanced. This is a pleasant balance, even a “high” especially if the move is a desirable change. Depression is NOT a good trade-off for lack of appetite. I have felt mildly depressed before, and a lack of appetite was part of it. Mind you, a person has a feeling that they want to eat something and ought to eat something, but NOTHING looks good. It's an incredibly unhappy feeling. Appetite is one of the ways we feel alive. We just need to develop APPETITE for all the activities and exchanges in life that would bring us the same fullness and satisfaction we look to food to fulfill.

In my opinion, if the reason for depression in the first place is becasue of being overweight, then it might be woth that risk. It seems to me that if a tiumphant goal of losing weight is achieved then the chance of depression might be “overruled” by that accomlishment. It sure seems like trial studies may be worth looking into. RK

I had a surgery called vertical banded gastroplasty 16 years ago and although I lost some weight I have gained it all back, If I eat breakfast I seem to eat all day and yet I am very seldon hungry. I know it is just plain boredom and no reason to do this. I am back to trying diets again. Yes I would take a pill if it would help. I am tired of being overweight. Because of other health problems I cannot do much exercise.
JeanW

Excellent point! Thank you for this balanced and wholesome perspective for lifelong change, rather than quick fixes.

That's encouraging! I've thought about having that surgery. I wonder if Medicare would pay for it. I'd like to hear more about the surgery.

Thanks!
virginnyb

As a person with apparently very high ghrelin levels, myself, I feel depressed most of the time, because of my weight. I recently lost over 50 pounds, only to gain it all back when I went through a stressful period. I can't speak for others, and I realize that the risk of suicide is greater for those suffering from depression. However, I, for one, would definitely take the chance of feeling depressed on account of the ghrelin, if it might give me even a slim (so to speak) chance of minimizing my almost constant hunger pangs. I would imagine that my improvements in mood resulting from the weight loss that would come from not always being hungry anymore, would balance out any depression that I might feel from having decreased levels of ghrelin. In other words, I'd take that chance, eagerly!

Many years ago, shortly after being diagnosed as hypo-thyroid, I got on the “Hot” new diet pill combo, Fen-Phen. I was never happier, more driven- nor more psychotic- in my whole life. I lost weight-LOTS of weight -but the aggression and mood swings that were an unexpected side-effect of these drugs cost me my professional reputation and (probably) my job . When the potentially fatal downside of these drugs came to light (pulmonary hypertension, anyone?), I was scared speechless. But here's the kicker, having effortlessly lost lots weight, I was ill-prepared to maintain any of the weight loss when I stopped taking the drug. And on a more human note, I felt exposed, undefended and raw without my 'fat suit'. My point is, that weight issues are complex- behavior patterns, esteem issues, brain chemistry, hormonal imbalances, and yes, ghrelin, may all play a role in your particular situation. The newest 'magic pill' is unlikely to solve these problems. You can bet that if a ghrelin pill does become available, YOU and several million of your friends will be the new guinea pig to test its efficacy and side effects.

absolutely. for a fascinating approach to dealing with post traumatic stress issues – often underlying 'fat suit' (in)security issues – see 'somatic experiencing', especially authors Scaer, and Levine; for originator of 'felt sense', see Gendlin.

yes, worth the risk, because being overweight, with all its associated risks and deprivations makes you depressed

So right. After many years at the weight loss game, I finally came to the life-altering conclusion that the hunger I'm feeling, is not the hunger I'm feeding. In other words, my hunger for adventure, relationship, purpose, cannot be fed with carbs.

That said, Dr. Calvin Ezrin is doing interesting research into the connection between sleep, serotonin levels, and cravings for carbs. Apparently, during deep and restful sleep, the body replenishes its own supply of serotonin, which is crucial for brain function. If you are not getting deep sleep, then you will crave carbs during the day, which is one other way that the brain will make the requisite serotonin. His solution, along with a low-carb diet, is very low doses of Trazadone. As I understand it, Trazadone at much higher levels, has applications as an anti-depressant. At these lower levels , you just get some great sleep and some help with the carb cravings as you follow the low-carb program. Check out his book “Your Fat Can Make You Thin”. Yes, the title is a groaner, but the research seems sound. This program worked to pull my 3 nephews back from the brink of Type 2 Diabetes, and I have maintained a 25 lb. weight loss.

for about 2 weeks now, i have been starting the day with a protein shake:

2 scoops vanilla whey protein (get mine from life extension – just make sure of ingredients – out of a half dozen brands at whole foods, all but one had objectionable ingredients); 2 tblsp ground flax seed; 2 tblsp lecithin; tblsp brewers yeast; tblsp XPC (non 'food grade Epicor – much less expensive); tblsp maca; 1/4 tsp creatine; 1/4 tsp piracetam; 3 tblsp coconut oil; cup of fruit – usually berries; 2 cups coconut milk; 2 egg yolks (uncooked whites have a substance in them best avoided)…………

this is good for about 40 grams of protein. lunch has some protein and complex carbs (bread has been eliminated from diet). Dinner is plenty of protein from appropriate meats, and complex carbs.

the results have been: lost approx 4 lbs (pants fit a bit looser) initially, then gained approx 4lbs (but pants still fit the same, looser way); i am sleeping better; mood is consistently better. Note: I am not overweight (5'11″, 178 now), but there was a subcutaneous layer accumulating around my waist…).

I've done the shakes before, but it always bugged me that expensive ingredients were left coating the inside of the blender; did not care for clean-up chores either; also did not like having to measure, apportion everything every morning.

Solved all those objections this way: I got the best stick blender I could find (kitchenaide 300 model); i already had, just never used in this way, 6 massive, heavy glass beer steins (no, never used them for beer drinking, either, lol); i apportion all the dry ingredients into the six steins, cover them and put them on the shelf; each morning i add the liquids and eggs, and fruit, blend. it's quick, mess and waste is minimized.

Breaking the question down into the 2 parts:
a) Would you take a pill that would help you lose weight YES! b) even if you knew it would probably make you feel bad? NO!

My experience is in line with Dianne's and the research summary: lean protein load your diet and eat nutrient dense all day. Let me explain my own recent discovery… I was a 100% raw fooder for 3.5 years and had reached my ideal weight, but was noticing some ill effects due to the lack of sufficient protein intake for my body…thinning hair, brittle nails, etc.

I went back on cooked food…gained some of the weight back. Hmmm. In looking for the solutions, here is what I found that is “thinning” out my body and thickening my hair and nails (they're growing like crazy now!)

I started to look for ways to take in lean proteins along with all my fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds and came across what I would call a protein pill. It's called AMINO2222. The first thing my body gets in the morning is 20 ounces of water plus 6 of these AMINO2222 supplements. An hour later I have protein smoothie (giving me 17 grams of protein…)

I sprinkle a powdered superfood into the smoothie as I blend which is tasteless, odorless and texture-less…This yummy drink is essentially protein, fruits and vegetables….dense nutrition that is VERY satisfying and delicious as far as flavor and texture, etc.)

By day's end I have taken in about 74 grams of protein in a very pleasant way…I only eat 4 ounces of grilled chicken breast (remember, I'm not big on eating anything “with a face”…I love RAW food, so finding ways to eat protein without eating meat was a challenge!) I also eat 2-3 organic eggs a day (from my friend's farm.) I take the AMINO2222 in between meals (with a digestive enzyme) …think of it as a snack like someone might eat a handful of nuts….It satisfies me between meals.

Key for me has been finding foods that are tasty while providing the correct nutrition, and adding the protein snacks between meals. After 5p in the evening, I eat ONLY protein and produce, NO fruit carbs. I definitely do not take in any starches (breads, rice, pasta, potatoes) at all any time of day, and I avoid dairy (but for the farm-fresh eggs).

My weight is finally headed back in the right direction, Thank God! When you find the combination of nutritious foods that also taste good to you, that's when you know you are going to make it to that balanced place….

Hope this helps someone else who, like me, has struggled with their weight, and seeks freedom from that “trapped” in a fat body feeling. I've been fat and I've been thin. Thin feels so much better! I'm not “back” there yet, but I am on the way down the yellow brick road once again!

Michael, thanks for the informative research summary that clarifies why the lean protein loading is satisfying and working for me…Always nice to know what is working and why…

I am so incredibly satisfied by this combination for breakfast that I make a wise lunch choice. My findings (on myself) concur with the research summary and with Dianne's self-experiment. I take in about 80 grams of protein a day (only 4 oz of it actual meat

Couldn't help thinking that Ghrelin should be renamed Ghremlin!!

Ghrelin is not the only chemical associated with mood; there are several others. Protein contains the specific amino acids that are precursors to three mood-boosting neurochemicals: dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. A diet that includes a relatively high percentage of protein could and would tend to prevent any depression that might occur with weight loss or reduction of ghrelin levels. (There's more to this than I have time to go into here, but it's what I do for a living.) The bottom line is it's not necessary to choose between weight loss and positive mood. We can have both.

Trazedone is an old “anti-depressant” (in quotes because these drugs have only ostensibly anything to do with depression…). A doctor I consulted with for 5 years eventually prescribed this drug in the ongoing effort to resolve my insomnia – and that was the beginning of the end of our consultations. Whatever the source(s) of my insomnia, it isn't a trazedone deficiency (nor is it the source of anyones diabetes or excess weight…); it will be the source of its own side effects, however.

As I have mentioned elsewhere in this thread, a much higher than previously typical daily consumption of quality protein has quickly generated a discernible positive result in my sleep, mood and weight. Protein deficiency is an actual underlying cause…fooling around with capitalizing on a particular “desirable” side effect profile of a synthetic drug is symptom-level effort and a Faustian bargain………..

I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT TO FEEL GOOD. BUT I DON'T WANT TO PAY THE PRICE BY BEING DEPRESSED. MAYBE HARMLESS ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAY BE USED ALONG WITH IT TO FIGHT THE DEPRESSION.

The risk of depression taking a supplement is the same as the risk of depression of not taking a supplement and loosing any weight at all. It would be short term, knowing that that is the reason for the depression and eventually will be off the supplement when weight goal has been reached.

I have to force myself to eat breakfast. Generally I hardly will eat something before 11am and by then it's lunch time. I can stomach tea in the morning and would drink a few cups well. I know that's not breakfast but that's the best I can do most of the time. How can I change this? What advice is there for this kind of problem? I understand the importance of breakfast so maybe the reason I have no appetite has something to do with a lack of something in my system? Can Anyone comment?

i was the same way, for a long time (had to be up for several hours before I had any appetite for food). the first thing that I discovered that enabled an earlier appetite was my adrenal function – it was determined to be very low (via saliva testing…blood tests, several over the years indicated, falsely, that my adrenals were just fine…). after taking steps to remedy that, onset of appetite was earlier. The other thing that has taken it even further (even earlier appetite), are the daily protein shakes I detailed elsewhere in this thread; some mornings I am now hungry, ready to eat, as soon as I arise – and I have a shake. Most mornings, now, I like to start with coffee, breakfast after.

Interesting though your article is i am not entirely sure what you are trying to get at. On the one hand yes it is important to eat breakfast so as to lower the hunger hormone, but then you state that certain carbohydrates and protein should be eaten, but you don't actually give examples so how does that benefit anyone wanting to lose weight < what should we be eating then? also then you go on to say that by reducing the hunger hormone we are going to be depressed, so what is the point of yourarticle? It seems kind of contradictory.Eat breakfast to lose weight and get depression at the same time!!!!

suggest you read thru comments for some clarification. atkins, etc precepts are pretty well known by now, and easily googled down…high protein, good fats, complex carbs, avoid simple/high glycemic index carbs, sugar, grains and you'll be on the correct diet for weigt and mood……and can build from there: exercise, perhaps focused supplementation…….

I get food cravings often for chocolate, crisps and sometimes for fried eggs and other protein rich foods (though rarely for nuts). These cravings are always worse when I'm depressed (which has been a repeated problem for me over the years) so “No, I wouldn't take something that made me more depressed in order to lose weight. Real depression is a miserable state to live in and I wish I never had to feel that way again.

I have had depression for many years, believe me it is far better to feel good and carry some weight than feel bad and be thin.

Hell no!

No I would NEVER take a pill to lose weight and increase chances of depression. I love being happy!!

how on earth do you pronounce this?

Try eating non traditional foods for breakfast such as a tuna sandwich, slice of pizza, last night's dinner leftovers, etc. Even an oatmeal cookie (preferably with walnuts for protein) with your tea is better than nothing. It's SO important to put “fuel” in your body before you hit the road. I don't know anyone who would leave for a road trip without filling up their car with gas, so why then do so many think their bodies will run for hours with no fuel for energy? The brain functions poorly without food, and so does your body. Your blood sugars drop and you can contribute to diabetes by skipping this important meal. Your triglycerides (cause of heart attack) skyrocket when you skip breakfast. Eat something..anything. Once your body gets used to it, it will start demanding it. I eat 2 eggs every single morning. (no they won't raise your cholesterol–look up all the benefits to eggs..the perfect food!) I can go hours with no cravings after this high protein meal. I used to hate eggs, because they upset my stomach, but since I switched to organic free range, they don't bother my stomach at all. Now I can't wait to have them! Sometimes I'll alternate the eggs with a bowl of oatmeal that I cooked the night before. I used to skip breakfast too. (does afternoon fatigue hit you daily?..it sure did me!) Talk yourself into eating something, anything, for breakfast, even if it's only a couple bites..I think you'll find that you develop a morning appetite once you start this small change.

From someone who has struggled with both overweight and depression, don't go for the pill! When i don't feel good or even mostly good, my desire to carry out a plan evaporates. I doubt that I would be able to stay on any kind of food plan. There are other ways to get help.

Thanks for the Trazadone information. I'll look into it. I have a real struggle getting good sleep.

Eating food is supposed to make you feel good. Satisfied is the correct word. Why in the world would you want to take something that would make you feel bad??????

I recently went through a weight loss program using excercise and eating properly (56 pounds in 8 months). I still have to make sure I eat correctly to keep the weight off. When I was loosing the weight I did a short workout in the mornings then ate a high carb breakfast. Now I find when I do not workout in the morning the high carb breakfast (oatmeal or cream of wheat) I am hungry again within a couple of hours. I am wondering if the workout is what makes up the difference in the cravings. My body needs the extra energy in the morning if I have worked-out and when I don't I need to eat something else. I appreciate the article. I am going to test the two types of breakfasts over the next few weeks and try working out with both types see what the end result is for me.

I have always felt that protein first thing in the morning helps blood sugar levels so it stands that this would also help food cravings.

You know how depressing it is when you want to lose weight and have done all the exercises, diets and etc.. but still you're gaining fats us you deprive yourself from eating foods you like to eat so I'd better take the Gherlin pill if available.

why not remedy the problems at root? always better than working at branch and leaf level. thyroid is first = metabolism and mood. if thyroid is incorrect, as it so commonly is (and unfortunately, not easy to find a doc who is in the know), adrenals will also be compromised (at the least). poor thyroid & adrenal function sets up the carb cravings, which causes the insulin spiking. it's a wicked spiral……