Animals given vibrating tablets 20 minutes before meals had a significant 40% reduction in food intake
MIT researchers are developing an innovative vibrating capsule aimed at fighting obesity.
Similar to the habit of drinking water before meals to induce a feeling of fullness, this capsule could be a non-surgical alternative to both current weight loss surgeries and expensive GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wigovy. functions as
These drugs are driven by drug intellectual property laws and can be economically burdensome.
According to TechCrunch, in a laboratory experiment, animals given a vibrating pill 20 minutes before a meal significantly reduced their intake by 40%.
The capsules, which are about the same size as a standard multivitamin, contain a vibrating motor powered by a silver oxide battery. Once it reaches the stomach, stomach acid dissolves the outer layer, completing the circuit and causing vibrations.
Activates mechanoreceptors that send signals to the brain via the vagus cranial nerve and cause the production of insulin, GLP-1, C-peptide, and PYY hormones, effectively reducing hunger and promoting the digestive process .
MIT Associate Professor Giovanni Traverso emphasizes the profound changes in behavior that are achieved by harnessing the body’s internal systems rather than relying on external therapeutic interventions.
The researchers believe their approach addresses the challenge by modulating the enteric nervous system and has the potential to reduce costs associated with the delivery of biologic drugs.
While focusing on efficacy, the team aims to simultaneously assess the safety of the system and advance production to human trials.
Postdoctoral researcher Shriya Srinivasan said the device could be manufactured cost-effectively on a large scale. This development is consistent with a broader trend exploring capsule-based technologies such as ingestible sensors and microrobotic systems as potential avenues for medical treatment.