Physiology

Ghrelin

A hormone produced by the stomach that stimulates appetite. Often called the 'hunger hormone,' it signals the brain to seek food.

Used in the Books

This term appears in 1 chapter:

Resource Dynamics Circadian Rhythms

"...ing hours - everyone assumes she's less capable when really she's time-shifted - Health deterioration: 23% higher obesity rates (disrupted leptin/ghrelin hormones), 25% higher depression rates (chronic sleep deprivation), 30% higher cardiovascular disease (cortisol dysregulation), lower GPAs in school ..."

Biological Context

Ghrelin levels rise before meals and fall after eating. It also affects growth hormone release, sleep, and reward-seeking behavior. Ghrelin works in opposition to leptin (satiety hormone). Sleep deprivation increases ghrelin, partly explaining why tired people eat more.

Business Application

Organizational ghrelin: the signals that drive resource-seeking behavior—growth targets, acquisition appetites, market expansion urges. High ghrelin drives aggressive growth; low ghrelin may indicate satisfaction or stagnation.

Related Terms

Hormone Homeostasis

Tags

physiologyhormonesmetabolism