May 2023 PMID 37084730

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans.

Anastasia Levichev, Serge Faumont, Rachel Z Berner, Zhifeng Purcell, Amanda M White, Kathy Chicas-Cruz, Shawn R Lockery

Download social card

Mentions

51
Peak: 31 in Apr 2023
across 5 sources since Apr 2023

Extended reach

721,749
potential audience

Total likes

67

Video views

2,931

Mentions per month

Apr 2023 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter36 posts
  • News9 articles
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Instagram1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The posts express strong support and curiosity about the research, with examples like mentions of its relevance to human brain systems and the conservation across species. The tone combines scientific interest with media recognition, showing both engagement and appreciation for its broader implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the significance of the findings, emphasizing the conservation of mechanisms across species.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions show high curiosity, with posts highlighting the potential implications for understanding brain functions and feeding behaviors.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include references to scientific details, media coverage, and personal reactions, indicating active engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

The widespread attention from major outlets and recognition of the research's potential impact on understanding biological systems reflect a high perceived significance.

Abstract in brief

  • The study shows that anandamide, an endocannabinoid, influences food preferences in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans by increasing the desirability of more nutritious foods and reducing interest in less nutritious ones, similar to how cannabis affects human eating behavior.
  • Anandamide's effects on feeding are mediated through the worm's cannabinoid receptor NPR19 and can also involve the human CB1 receptor, indicating a conserved mechanism across species for regulating food choices.
  • The research highlights that anandamide makes specific sensory neurons (AWC neurons) more responsive to better foods and less responsive to poorer foods, providing a cellular basis for how endocannabinoids influence hedonic feeding behavior.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Neuroscience News
@NeuroscienceNew · X

“The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans” by Shawn R. Lockery et al. Current Biology https://t.co/JD2RotMjLw

Apr 23, 2023 · 15 likes · 5 shares · 506,738 followers View post →
Elisa de Gortari
@sangreytrueno · X

Estos científicos dieron cannabis a un gusano y al gusano le dio monchis. “Nuestros hallazgos revelan un sorprendente grado de conservación funcional en los efectos de los endocannabinoides sobre la alimentación hedónica en todas las especies”. https://t.co/SmUOGDbpt6

Apr 24, 2023 · 8 likes · 1,987 followers View post →
TAKASHI KUMAGAI
@env_parasitol · X

TLに流れてきた話のソースはこれか。大麻キメると線虫もハイになるって話。寄生線虫はどうなんだろう?糞線虫で実験ですかね

Jun 8, 2023 · 6 likes · 1,778 followers View post →
Tucker Goodrich
@TuckerGoodrich · X

What drives food reward? "The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans" https://t.co/1aMZdMYd2F #lcl6 @sguyenet @jen_unwin h/t @Arnoldthescott

Apr 22, 2023 · 5 likes · 28,303 followers View post →
InVivo Biosystems
@invivobiosystem · X

Congratulations to our own Stacy Levichev and Shawn Lockery whose publication "The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans” has caught the attention of the Smithsonian Magazine, CNN, and VICE. #publication

Apr 20, 2023 · 4 likes · 821 followers View post →
Agingdoc
@agingdoc1 · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans

Apr 21, 2023 · 3 likes · 1 share · 43,295 followers View post →

All mentions

Addiction Medicine Journal Club
@AddictionMedJC · X

In @CurrentBiology, nematodes get the munchies: The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans https://t.co/NbxfTbk6wm

Jun 19, 2023 · 1 like · 357 followers View post →
TAKASHI KUMAGAI
@env_parasitol · X

TLに流れてきた話のソースはこれか。大麻キメると線虫もハイになるって話。寄生線虫はどうなんだろう?糞線虫で実験ですかね

Jun 8, 2023 · 6 likes · 1,778 followers View post →
proto.life
@protolifemedia · X

What’s exciting for humans in this discovery is the possibility of a simple model to study the molecular basis of our brain’s system for regulating food choice.

May 16, 2023 · 1 like · 4,794 followers View post →
CuriousAboutCannabis
@AboutCannabis · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans https://t.co/DZPnWHjAhD

May 15, 2023 · 2 likes · 479 followers View post →
The College on Problems of Drug Dependence
@CPDDorg · X

RT @NIDAnews:

May 4, 2023 · 2 shares · 2,382 followers View post →
Pub Health Monitor
@monitor_PH · X

RT @NIDAnews:

May 4, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,816 followers View post →
NIDAnews
@NIDAnews · X

May 4, 2023 · 1 like · 2 shares · 53,190 followers View post →
Kadda
@Kadda0306 · X

@mondschaf23 Apropos Cannabis: Forscher haben herausgefunden, dass u.a. auch Regenwürmer (neben z.B. Ratten) nach dem Konsum Fressattacken bekommen

Apr 27, 2023 · 3 likes · 902 followers View post →
VikingHerbalist
@tfkglobal · X

RT @TFKortholm: The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans #Research…

Apr 26, 2023 · 1 share · 1,275 followers View post →
tornillodearquimedes
@tornilloarqui · X

RT @murrayfield17: Lombrices con onda luego de bañarse en #cannabionides sugieren un origen remoto del sistema endocabanniode @hubermanlab…

Apr 25, 2023 · 1 share · 6,489 followers View post →
Lasker Foundation
@LaskerFDN · X

.@IONatUO scientists find that #Celegans, like humans, prefer high-calorie foods after being exposed to cannabinoids. This may open the possibility for using the worm to study molecular pathways involved in food choice and related disorders. @LevichevStacy https://t.co/CFOBo2qOzl https://t.co/umA6NmRF3b

Apr 25, 2023 · 2 likes · 7,370 followers View post →
Pablo Pereyra Murray
@murrayfield17 · X

Lombrices con onda luego de bañarse en #cannabionides sugieren un origen remoto del sistema endocabanniode @hubermanlab @tornilloarqui https://t.co/qFtlioJf7p

Apr 25, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 271 followers View post →
Pablo Pereyra Murray
@murrayfield17 · X

Lombrices con onda luego de bañarse en #cannabinoides sugieren un origen evolucionario remoto del sistema https://t.co/qFtlioJf7p

Apr 25, 2023 · 271 followers View post →
Thomas Frederik Kortholm
@TFKortholm · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans #Research https://t.co/VhiCDPmZXr

Apr 25, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,257 followers View post →
Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
@OrdoFibonacci · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans https://t.co/0sPIsZORAv

Apr 24, 2023 · 2,563 followers View post →
Psihedelnieks
@psihedelnieks · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans” by…

Apr 24, 2023 · 5 shares · 8 followers View post →
Elisa de Gortari
@sangreytrueno · X

Estos científicos dieron cannabis a un gusano y al gusano le dio monchis. “Nuestros hallazgos revelan un sorprendente grado de conservación funcional en los efectos de los endocannabinoides sobre la alimentación hedónica en todas las especies”. https://t.co/SmUOGDbpt6

Apr 24, 2023 · 8 likes · 1,987 followers View post →
Germán AP (赫尔曼)
@Hipergerman · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans” by…

Apr 23, 2023 · 5 shares · 1,836 followers View post →
DR.GUILLERMO VALIENTE Rodríguez
@Drvaliente · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans” by…

Apr 23, 2023 · 5 shares · 1,465 followers View post →
McAuthor Giggler
@MacGiggler · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans” by…

Apr 23, 2023 · 5 shares · 133 followers View post →
Todd McKenzie
@ToddEBear · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans” by…

Apr 23, 2023 · 5 shares · 2,294 followers View post →
Neuroscience News
@NeuroscienceNew · X

“The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans” by Shawn R. Lockery et al. Current Biology https://t.co/JD2RotMjLw

Apr 23, 2023 · 15 likes · 5 shares · 506,738 followers View post →
Greenthumb_one
@Greenthumb_one · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans https://t.co/ct0X1Uuvy5 #eCBome #anandamide

Apr 23, 2023 · 4,508 followers View post →
Tucker Goodrich
@TuckerGoodrich · X

What drives food reward? "The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans" https://t.co/1aMZdMYd2F #lcl6 @sguyenet @jen_unwin h/t @Arnoldthescott

Apr 22, 2023 · 5 likes · 28,303 followers View post →
Nematode_papers
@Nematode_papers · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans https://t.co/1Y1gMovhmq

Apr 22, 2023 · 1 like · 482 followers View post →
Felix J. Tapia
@ftapia · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans https://t.co/zbTw53XBoV

Apr 22, 2023 · 7,022 followers View post →
Mind Your Science!
@MindYourSci · X

RT @agingdoc1: The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans

Apr 21, 2023 · 1 share · 130 followers View post →
Karim Majzoub
@KarimMajzoub · X

To all weed smokers in the house, you get the munchies just like a worm would ! The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans https://t.co/ArOPiy3bxd

Apr 21, 2023 · 1 like · 1,860 followers View post →
Agingdoc
@agingdoc1 · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans

Apr 21, 2023 · 3 likes · 1 share · 43,295 followers View post →
Jenny Sinclair
@jenny_sinclair · X

aka "The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans"

Apr 21, 2023 · 945 followers View post →
Jenny Sinclair
@jenny_sinclair · X

Mostly my day job is "meta" on research - policy, funding. So I have nowhere to put this article about how worms get the munchies when they are stoned: https://t.co/YdD6lOB9rm

Apr 21, 2023 · 945 followers View post →
Mile High Hemp
@MileHighHemp · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans: Current Biology https://t.co/uBZdGdTCFG

Apr 21, 2023 · 4,047 followers View post →
Kelly A. Hogan Ph.D.
@Loose_Lab_Rat · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans https://t.co/4R4nQSiYey

Apr 20, 2023 · 2,237 followers View post →
Andy_Weeble_Weaver
@AndrewW66619812 · X

The study in "Current Biology" the above "Guardian" article is based upon & quotes from: “The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in 'C. elegans'” 2/2 https://t.co/yIkiQeNF5A

Apr 20, 2023 · 4,367 followers View post →
Ken Gusler
@kgusler · X

The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans: https://t.co/HVbquZCa7e

Apr 20, 2023 · 19,987 followers View post →
InVivo Biosystems
@invivobiosystem · X

Congratulations to our own Stacy Levichev and Shawn Lockery whose publication "The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans” has caught the attention of the Smithsonian Magazine, CNN, and VICE. #publication

Apr 20, 2023 · 4 likes · 821 followers View post →
How To Set Up A Psychedelic Study: Unique Considerations For ...
News

Biological psychiatry, 94(6), 511–521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.03.013 ... https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.030. Preller, K. H., & ...

Dec 15, 2025 View →
Image of worm that is genetically engineered so that certain neurons ...
News

Cannabinoids give worms the munchies, too. Cell Press. Journal: Current Biology; Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013 ...

Dec 15, 2025 View →
Video of worms in a T-maze [VIDEO] | EurekAlert! Science News ...
News

Cannabinoids give worms the munchies, too. Cell Press. Journal: Current Biology; Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013 ...

Dec 15, 2025 View →
MYC remains a central node in #TumorBiology! This review ...
Instagram

#OpenAccess: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gendis.2023.03.013. more. 3 days ago · genesndiseases's profile picture · genesndiseases. •. Follow.

Oct 31, 2025 View →
大麻素让蠕虫也有食欲—论文—科学网
News

org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013. 打印 发E-mail给:. 以下评论只代表网友个人观点,不代表科学网观点。 相关新闻, 相关论文. 1; 大麻素 ...

Apr 25, 2023 View →
Worms on cannabinoids get the 'munchies' - Futurity
Blogs

Original Study DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013. Related. Why drunk college students go for salty, greasy food. There's a surprising link between ...

Apr 25, 2023 View →
Nach dem Cannabis-Konsum haben Würmer auf einmal ...
News

(Current Biology, 2023; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013). Quelle: Cell Press, University of Oregon. Dieser Artikel wurde verfasst von Nadja ...

Apr 24, 2023 View →
"Bekiffte" Würmer gieren nach Junkfood - Fadenwürmer zeigen ...
News

(Current Biology, 2023; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013). Quelle: Cell Press, University of Oregon. 24. April 2023 - Nadja Podbregar. Tags ...

Apr 24, 2023 View →
Cannabinoids give worms the munchies, too | ScienceDaily
News

elegans. Current Biology, 2023; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013. Cite This Page: MLA ...

Apr 21, 2023 View →
Worms as a model for understanding endocannabinoid system ...
News

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013. www.cell.com/current-biology/f … 0960-9822(23)00301-9. Journal information: Current Biology. Provided by ...

Apr 20, 2023 View →
Nematode worms get the 'munchies' after having cannabis-like ...
Blogs

Current Biology DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013. Topics: animals/; drugs and alcohol. Advertisement. Sign up to our weekly newsletter. Receive a ...

Apr 20, 2023 View →
Give roundworms some weed and they'll get the munchies, study ...
Blogs

DOI: Current Biology, 2023. 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013 (About DOIs). Listing image: Stacy Levichev. Photo ...

Apr 20, 2023 View →
Cannabinoids give worms the munchies, too | EurekAlert!
News

10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013. Method of Research. Experimental study. Subject of Research. Animals. Article Title. The conserved endocannabinoid ...

Apr 20, 2023 View →