Brain stimulation can reduce high-calorie food cravings

Stimulation studies have targeted a brain area called the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), which appears to play a role in the conscious regulation of food craving and consumption of high calorie foods.

The research identified 11 studies evaluating the effects of DLPFC stimulation on food cravings with women who reported strong and frequent cravings for high-calorie snack foods.

Of eight studies providing data on food cravings, all but one showed a significant effect of brain stimulation and suggested a moderate-sized effect of DLPFC stimulation on food cravings roughly half a point on a four-point self-rated scale.

Just one of the two types of stimulation study had a significant effect on food cravings — a technique called Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). The other technique evaluated, transcranial direct current stimulation, did not significantly affect cravings.

In contrast, the results of nine studies were inconsistent. The study suggested no significant effect of brain stimulation.

Another two studies evaluated the effects of treatment using repeated sessions of DLPFC stimulation.

One study found a significant reduction in total food intake after daily stimulation while the other did not.

However, there was some evidence that stimulation specifically reduced consumption of carbohydrates, revealed the study.

“One reason it’s so difficult to lose weight by dieting is that the person has to overcome the natural preferences for these types of appetite foods. It is not entirely clear how DLPFC works to reduce food cravings, but evidence suggests possible effects on the reward centre of the brain and enhanced cognitive control over cravings,” said Peter A. Hall, Researcher, University of Waterloo.

However, there’s not yet consistent evidence to show that brain stimulation can reduce actual food consumption.