MentalHealthDaily

GLP-1 Drugs Suppress Reward Feeding Through an Amygdala-Dopamine Circuit

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for GLP-1 drugs, reward feeding, amygdala signaling, and dopamine circuitry.

GLP-1 drugs are usually described as appetite drugs, but a 2026 Nature mouse study mapped a more specific reward circuit: small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonists suppressed palatable-food intake through Glp1r-expressing central-amygdala neurons that reduced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens during high-fat-food retrieval.1 That mechanism makes binge-eating and substance-use hypotheses more plausible without turning an animal …

Sensation Seeking Predicts Disordered Eating in Teens

by GLOOM

Photoreal illustration of a teenager with overlapping symbols of food and personality traits, conveying sensation-seeking eating-disorder risk.

Sensation seeking has long been linked to risky behaviors in teens, but its role in eating-disorder psychopathology has been mixed. A 2026 study by Bogner and colleagues clarifies the picture in 400 German adolescents: sensation seeking matters for disordered eating, but the effects are moderated by weight status and emotional symptoms.1 Research Highlights Sensation seeking …

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) Changes Brain Connectivity & Activation to Treat Binge Eating Disorder (2023 Study)

by GLOOM

Binge-eating disorder (BED), characterized by recurrent episodes of overeating without compensatory behaviors, is a significant global health concern. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX), the only drug approved for moderate to severe BED, is showing promise not just in reducing episodes but also in altering brain function in ways previously not fully understood. Through a groundbreaking study, researchers …

Vyvanse Approved For Binge Eating Disorder: How It Works, Benefits, & Risks

by GLOOM

As of February 2015, the FDA approved the psychostimulant Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine) for the treatment of binge eating disorder. In recent years, the popularity of Vyvanse has skyrocketed as an ADHD medication, as well as among those seeking to use it for ulterior purposes such as weight loss, academics, and sports performance. Many consider the medication …