Nesfatin 1 (NES1)

Nesfatin-1 is a naturally occurring protein molecule produced by the brains of mammals. Excess nesfatin-1 in the brain leads to a loss of appetite, less frequent hunger, a 'sense of fullness', and a drop in body fat and weight. A lack of nesfatin-1 in the brain leads to an increase of appetite, more frequent episodes of hunger, an increase of body fat and weight, and the inability to 'feel full.' This latter condition can be artificially induced by injecting an anti-nesfatin-1 antibody into the brain.

The receptors within the brain are not completely understood, although they are thought to be contained in the hypothalamus and in the solitary nucleus, where nesfatin-1 is believed to produced via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Through observation, it appears there is also some unknown relationship between nesfatin-1 and cannaboid receptors; however, its precise mechanism and effect remain controversial.