Hormones that could reduce cravings for food, tobacco and alcohol are to be tested in a British research project.
Some 90 volunteers will take part in the study at Imperial College, London.
Researchers are planning to test two gut hormones, ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide-1.
They say both substances have been found to alter appetite but also to act on brain areas responsible for cravings, addiction, reward and stress.
During the project, researchers will test the extent of the cravings experienced by volunteers by showing them pictures of alcohol, cigarettes and foods such as pizza and doughnuts.
Researcher Dr Tony Goldstone said: “There is a pressing need to develop new drug treatments for addiction. We hope this study may lead to these. Such a new hormonal approach may also have the added benefit of helping to prevent weight gain after people quit smoking.
“This is a common reason why people either do not want to stop smoking in the first place, or start smoking once again after they have given up."
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