Washburn and Cannon

Definition

Walter B. Cannon was a physiologist who collaborated with A.L. Washburn on groundbreaking research about hunger. They discovered that stomach contractions accompany feelings of hunger.

Analogy

Imagine being at a concert where every time your favorite song plays (feeling hungry), there's a light show (stomach contractions). Washburn swallowed a balloon connected to a recording device and found out that whenever he felt hungry his stomach contracted just like lights flashing at specific moments during the concert!

Related terms

Gastric Signals: These are signals sent from our stomach indicating whether it is empty or full; they play an important role in regulating our food intake.

Hypothalamus: A region of the brain responsible for producing hormones that regulate many bodily functions such as hunger and thirst.

Set Point Theory: This theory suggests that our bodies have a biologically predetermined weight or body fat content, which we regulate food intake to maintain.