According to medical experts, there is a drug that is able to trick the body into thinking it is exercising without any apparent physical activity. The main idea the drug is based on is that its effect increases blood flow to the brain and muscles. This drug is called by scientists the exercise pill and people can benefit from its effect without any physical effort. The scientists made this possible by studying the workout activity and found a protein that is released during it.
The protein is commonly known as Piezo 1 and it acts as an exercise sensor which boosts blood flow to the brain and muscles in order to sustain activity. Piezo 1 can also restrict the amount pumped to the intestines and stomach. Scientists stated that these changes in the body are mainly responsible for the benefits of exercise, like lowering the risk of stroke, cancer or heart diseases.
The team leading the study focuses on studying the release of this protein during physical activity and suggests that Piezo 1 can be triggered by a pill containing a known compound entitled Yoda 1. This pill took its name from the Jedi master from Star Wars and it said that Yoda 1 has similar effect in test on mice. Professor David Beech who works at the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine stated that working on figuring out the Yoda 1 pill and its effects can lead to a better understanding and treatment of chronic conditions.
However, the drug is not going to act as a replacement for exercise, but it will complete it or enhance it. The professor added that this drug can be used in addition to a walk, so that a walk becomes more like a run. The pill and its effects may have human trials within five years and it is a step towards fighting against obesity and other diseases.
