MIT is working on a cool vibrating pill that’s like having a glass of water before a meal. Do you know how diet experts say drinking water before eating tricks your brain into feeling full? Well, this pill does a similar thing. The researchers think it could be a great option in the future instead of surgery or expensive drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Those drugs are really popular, but they cost a ton because of pharma laws. This new pill could be a game-changer!
MIT is always at the forefront of innovation. Recently, a student at MIT innovatively utilized the power of the mind for internet browsing, which was a significant breakthrough. Now, they have introduced a new pill, which is considered the latest and most significant innovation.
MIT’s pill has shown promise in lab tests. When animals took the pill 20 minutes before eating, they ate about 40% less, according to the researchers.
It’s like the water trick – the pill activates mechanoreceptors that send signals to the brain through the vagus cranial nerve. Once triggered, the brain starts making insulin, GLP-1, C-peptide, and PYY hormones. This not only reduces hunger but also speeds up digestion. It’s a neat way to control eating habits!
Associate Professor Giovanni Traverso points out that the behavior change is significant, and it’s achieved by working with the body’s system rather than using external treatments. He mentions the potential to tackle issues and expenses linked to delivering biological drugs by influencing the enteric nervous system. In simpler terms, they’re exploring a way to make a big impact using the body’s natural processes and potentially making treatments more affordable and accessible.
The capsule, about the size of a regular multivitamin, houses a vibrating motor powered by a silver oxide battery. Once it reaches the stomach, the gastric acid breaks down the outer layer, completing the circuit and triggering the vibration.
In addition to assessing its effectiveness, the team is focusing on ensuring the system’s safety. This involves developing a process for scaling up production and eventually conducting tests on humans. Shriya Srinivasan, a post-doc researcher, mentions, “When produced on a larger scale, our device could be made at a reasonably cost-effective price point.”
Capsule-based technologies have gained popularity recently, with researchers exploring ingestible sensors and even micro-robotic systems.