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An Indian-origin engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has pioneered a groundbreaking solution for obesity management—a vibrating and ingestible capsule that tricks the brain into perceiving fullness, potentially curbing overeating.
The innovative capsule, developed by Shriya Srinivasan, an assistant professor of bioengineering at Harvard University and former MIT graduate student, operates by vibrating within the stomach, stimulating stretch receptors that typically signal fullness when the stomach is distended. This mechanical stimulation creates an illusion of fullness, prompting the brain to believe it’s time to stop eating.
In animal studies, administering the pill 20 minutes before meals significantly reduced food intake by about 40%, triggered the release of satiety-indicating hormones, and even regulated weight gain.
Srinivasan’s research, published in the journal Science Advances, delves into the mechanism behind the capsule. As it dissolves in the stomach, activating the vibrating motor, it mimics the signals sent to the brain through the vagus nerve upon stomach distension.
The pill’s effects on hormone levels mirrored those produced post-meal, suppressing ghrelin (the hunger hormone) while encouraging the release of insulin and other hormones that aid digestion and induce a sense of fullness.
Importantly, this novel approach avoids the drawbacks associated with current pharmacological treatments, offering an affordable, non-invasive alternative. Unlike costly injectable drugs, Srinivasan believes these capsules could be manufactured at a reasonable cost, ensuring accessibility to a wider population.
The study revealed no adverse effects like obstruction or perforation, indicating the pill’s safety within the digestive tract.
Srinivasan’s innovation holds promise for revolutionizing obesity management, potentially providing a viable option for those seeking appetite control without the side effects or expenses linked to existing treatments.
