/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/5f/79/5f7925a3-ddb9-4d97-9928-73f298a0e23b/worm_web.jpg "Science Reveals Even Tiny Worms Experience Hunger")
This worm is genetically engineered so some neurons and muscles are fluorescent. Green dots are neurons that respond to cannabinoids, while magenta dots are other neurons.
The Science of the Munchies: Even Tiny Worms Get the Munchies
On April 20, cannabis enthusiasts around the world celebrate “the munchies,” a phenomenon characterized by increased appetite. While this effect is well-known in humans, scientists have discovered that it also affects tiny nematode worms known as Caenorhabditis elegans. In a study published in Current Biology, researchers from the University of Oregon show that these millimeter-long worms have a heightened craving for their favorite foods when exposed to cannabinoids, the molecules found in cannabis.
The fact that these tiny worms, which have only 302 neurons, respond to cannabinoids in a similar way to humans is unexpected. Our evolutionary lineages diverged more than 500 million years ago, and we have vastly different numbers of neurons. According to neuroscientist Shawn Lockery, “Surprisingly, over 500 million years of evolutionary distance, the worm’s cannabinoid signaling system and that of humans have not diverged that much.” This similarity could lead to a better understanding of how more complex brains, like ours, function on a fundamental level.
Scientists have known for some time that humans and nematode worms both have receptors throughout their bodies that respond to cannabinoids. These receptors bind with molecules called endocannabinoids, which are naturally produced inside the body and are structurally similar to the cannabinoids found in cannabis. The interaction between endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors forms the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in regulating various biological functions in humans.
The idea to study how C. elegans responds to cannabinoids came about after the legalization of recreational marijuana in Oregon in 2015. Lockery and his team were already studying decision-making in nematodes, so they decided to see what would happen if they exposed the worms to cannabinoids. The results were clear: the worms ate faster, displayed a stronger preference for their favorite foods, and consumed less of their least favorite foods.
In further experiments, the researchers placed the worms in a T-shaped maze to observe their feeding preferences. The worms dosed with cannabinoids were more likely to seek out their favorite foods and less likely to choose foods they didn’t like. They also found that the worms’ sensitivity to food odors played a role in their changed behavior.
To further understand the mechanism behind these behavioral changes, the researchers used mutant worms missing certain olfactory neurons and a specific cannabinoid receptor. When these components were absent, the worms did not exhibit the same response to cannabinoids. However, when the receptor was restored, the worms once again displayed the munchies.
Lockery and his colleagues plan to continue studying the neurons involved in this response to cannabinoids. The similarities between nematode worms and humans in their endocannabinoid system suggest that further research on these simple animals could provide valuable insights into how our own more complex brain functions. The hope is that this knowledge could one day lead to treatments for addiction and other conditions.
While the munchies are commonly associated with cannabis use in humans, this study shows that even tiny worms can experience the same effect. By studying these worms, scientists are gaining a better understanding of how the endocannabinoid system functions and its role in regulating various biological processes. The study also demonstrates the importance of exploring different organisms and their evolutionary adaptations to gain insights into our own biology.
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Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
