Appetite

Stimulants Appetite stimulants are drugs used to increase appetite. They are used to treat anorexia, an eating disorder characterized by a lack of appetite or a profound fear of gaining weight. Appetite stimulants are also used to help restore weight in individuals who are losing weight due to an illness, such as cancer or HIV/AIDS, or due to the side effects of certain medications. These drugs work by increasing levels of certain hormones in the body that regulate appetite, such as ghrelin and neuropeptide Y. They can also increase the production of certain brain chemicals that increase hunger and the desire to eat. Appetite stimulants can be used to help improve a person’s nutrition and quality of life, as well as to help them gain back healthy body weight.