A recent scientific discovery sheds light on how our brains signal when to eat or drink. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence,Working with the University of Regensburg and Stanford University, have identified specific neurons in the amygdala that influence these basic urges. The findings could deepen our understanding of eating disorders, obesity, and addiction, while guiding better health strategies for Thailand’s growing health challenges.
In a study conducted with mice, researchers found distinct neuron groups within the amygdala that play separate roles in hunger and thirst. The amygdala is known for processing emotions and motivations, but this research highlights its involvement in core survival drives. According to senior researchers, manipulating particular neurons altered drinking behavior and pinpointed a neuron group linked to thirst regulation. Some neurons showed overlapping functions, affecting both thirst and hunger.
Historically, the amygdala has been tied to how we feel about food—pleasure from a good meal and aversion to negative experiences. The new work adds depth by showing that individual neurons are specialized to guide whether we eat or drink, underscoring the amygdala’s role beyond emotion and decision-making to fundamental survival.
The study used optogenetics, a technique that uses light to control neuron activity. By turning specific neuron groups on or off, scientists observed changes in behavior and taste preferences. In one striking example, activating certain neurons made mice prefer a drink they previously avoided. This suggests taste preferences can be more flexible than once thought, shaped by networks of neural signals.
For Thailand, these insights arrive at a timely moment. Obesity rates are rising while food culture remains central to daily life. Understanding the brain mechanisms behind how much we eat and drink could inform public health messaging and education campaigns. The research also points to potential therapeutic approaches for anorexia or excessive eating, offering ideas for tailored interventions within Thai health programs.
Researchers emphasize that basic survival drives are governed by neural circuits shared across mammals. This lends credibility to translating these findings into human contexts, though more work is needed to map the full complexity of human appetite regulation. According to a leading neuroscientist at the Max Planck Institute, these circuits are essential for survival but can lead to over- or under-consumption depending on brain signaling.
The pursuit of mapping how hunger and thirst are regulated raises questions about their intersection and how adolescence might affect these responses. For educators, the research highlights the importance of early, science-based nutrition education and healthy lifestyle messaging in schools. The potential to influence behavior through understanding neural signals could inform broader health policy and educational interventions.
As scientists continue to explore how emotion, memory, and behavior interact, they are building a clearer picture of decision-making in everyday life. The work holds promise for new approaches to improving health outcomes around the world, including Thailand, where urban living patterns and lifestyle diseases require practical, evidence-based strategies.
According to research from leading institutions, ongoing studies aim to translate neural insights into real-world health tools. Data from these institutions shows how brain signals shape our eating and drinking patterns, offering a foundation for future public health initiatives.