the role of ghrelin

• ghrelin is a hormone secreted by the stomach and acts as a hormonal marker of how long since we have last eaten as the amount produced is closely linked to how empty our stomach is. The longer we go without eating, the more Ghrelin is released which is then detected by our receptors in a part of the hypothalamus called the arcuate nucleus then sends signals to the lateral hypothalamus to secrete neuropeptide Y.
• in humans ghrelin is known to be an appetite stimulant