Checking every function in the body by calculating one by one, like a biological computer system. your brainIn terms of what we know about it, it can be said that it is actually a universe scaled to the human body. Basically, what we know about the full capacity and functions of the brain. quite limited We can say yes.

However, with every scientific research on this subject, the boundaries of what we know are developing more and more. Now, a new study published in Nature Metabolism finds that the urge to eat experienced during pregnancy, known as “cravings,” is triggered by the brain. which part It sheds light on the mystery of how it is controlled by

Cravings occur in the brain’s reward circuitry and in parts of the brain responsible for taste, sensory and motor systems.

The cravings that pregnant women usually feel during the first 4 months of their pregnancy can range from plain foods to food combinations that can be quite bizarre at times. So these desires How and which part of the brain starting?

In tests on pregnant rats, where the research team found that they have cravings during pregnancy just like humans, the brain’s reward circuitry and taste, sensory and motor systems were affected. in responsible brain areas changes were discovered. The team found that female mice are responsible for giving dopamine hits during pregnancy and rewarding the brain for their actions. mesolimbic route higher levels of dopamine than the dopamine receptor D2R in a part of the brain that is part of the reward system and increased activity Has detected.

About the research “This finding suggests that the mesolimbic neural circuits of pregnancy are fully connected via D2R neurons. caused the reorganization shows” Roberta Haddad-Tóvolli, a neurobiologist at the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute in Spain, said: “These neuronal cells – and their variation – will be responsible for cravings because food anxiety, which is typical during pregnancy, inhibits their activity. disappeared† expressions used. Don’t be fooled by the fact that this study is specifically about mice. If between the mouse brain and the human brain, scientists too of a similar process They have enough in common to think they’ve succeeded.

Eating anything you crave can negatively affect your baby’s development.

However, craving is thought to support embryonic growth in several ways; however, the effects of high-calorie foods that pregnant women crave are on babies and their mothers. possible negative aspects The fact that it is a problem. On this, researchers examining the offspring of pregnant mice that ate what they wanted as a result of cravings found that metabolism and neural circuitry were impaired in the new generation. Differ they observed.

Neurobiologist Marc Claret of the University of Barcelona, ​​who stated that the results obtained were shocking, stated that most previous studies in this area have focused on how persistent maternal habits, such as obesity, malnutrition or chronic stress, affect the health of the baby. “However, this study found that brief but repetitive behaviors, such as cravings, were bad To increase psychological and metabolic vulnerability It shows that enough is enough.” saves as.

In follow-up tests on rat puppies, the researchers found that the puppies were associated with weight gain, anxiety and eating disorders. possible problems indicates that they have discovered it. Although it is not known for certain whether these data also apply to humans, the results of the study are not very good. don’t point can be said.

However, the team behind the study adhered to the study’s dietary guidelines for expectant mothers, and thus the health of both mother and baby. contributions hopes it can help. Researchers also point out that it is important to do as much scientific research as possible into the underlying causes of pregnancy desire. Claret on the subject, “While there are many myths and popular beliefs about these cravings, the neuronal mechanisms that trigger them are widespread.” Unknown† expressions used.