Topline
A first-of-its-kind vibrating pill that significantly reduces food consumption by mimicking the feeling of fullness was crafted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and they believe the pill can be used as a cheaper, noninvasive option to treat obesity and other weight-related illnesses.
MIT engineers designed an ingestible capsule that vibrates within the stomach. These vibrations … [+]
Key Facts
Stretch receptors in the stomach send signals to the brain after eating to indicate fullness, and the vibrations of the pill activate these receptors, creating the illusion of feeling full.
The vibrating pill is called the Vibrating Ingestible BioElectronic Stimulator (VIBES), and it’s meant to tackle obesity and diseases like polyphagia and Prader-Willi syndrome that cause a constant craving for food, according to a study published Friday in Science Advances.
The VIBES pill is taken on an empty stomach between 20 to 30 minutes before eating, and once ingested, the outer casing of the pill dissolves in the stomach and releases the vibrating spring, which vibrates for an average of 38.3 minutes and passes through the digestive tract within four to five days.
Though the VIBES pill has yet to be tested on humans, when it was activated 20 minutes before animals ate, they consumed around 40% less than they did compared to when the pill wasn’t activated.
The pigs that took the pill also experienced less daily weight gain than the control group: The control group recorded a daily weight gain of around 0.8 kilograms, while the group that took the VIBES pill recorded a daily weight gain of around 0.7 kilograms.
Though the location of the pill in the stomach isn’t controllable and it’s likely to move while eating, none of the animals had any side effects or obstruction to their digestive tract, and the pill still worked regardless of location, according to the study.
What To Watch For
Researchers are looking into ways for the pill to stay in the stomach for longer periods, according to the study. They also are looking into the possibility of wirelessly controlling the pill, turning it on and off when needed. Clinical trials in humans to determine when and how often the pill should be taken are underway, according to the researchers.
Big Number
69.9%. That’s how many Americans are either overweight or obese, according to data from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Crucial Quote
“We have the potential to overcome some of the challenges and costs associated with delivery of biologic drugs,” Giovanni Traverso, senior author of the paper and an associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, said in a statement.
Key Background
The VIBES pill is meant to be an alternative to other weight loss options like surgery and GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy that can be invasive or costly, according to the researchers. The VIBES pill could be “manufactured at a pretty cost-effective price point,” lead study author Shriya Srinivasan said in a statement. The study estimates the cost to manufacture the VIBES pill will be in the “cents to dollar range.” Novo Nordisk’s—which helped fund the study—injectable weight loss and diabetes drugs Ozempic and Wegovy cost $936 and $1,349, respectively, for a one-month supply. Though there are some noninvasive weight loss surgery options like the gastric balloon, they are often expensive, typically costing between $20,000 to $25,000.
Tangent
A vibrating pill to help with constipation became available for doctors to prescribe in February. The pill, called Vibrant, was given marketing authorization by the Food and Drug Administration in August 2022. The agency doesn’t classify it as a drug, but instead a Class 2 medical device, similar to contact lenses. The pill caused at least one additional weekly bowel movement for around 40% of participants, compared to about 22% of the placebo group, according to a study published in Gastroenterology. The pill is taken around bedtime and the vibrations help stimulate the colon, though most participants said they didn’t feel the vibrations.
Further Reading
What To Know About Ozempic: The Diabetes Drug Becomes A Viral Weight Loss Hit (Elon Musk Boasts Using It) Creating A Shortage (Forbes)
Wegovy Shortage: Drug Maker Limits Distribution—Here’s When Supplies Should Improve (Forbes)
Drug-free relief from chronic constipation may come from a new vibrating pill (CNN)